Hello, I'm Sandra Cuchy and I want to tell you how my brand of jewel sandals was born, because behind each pair there is a lot of history, a lot of heart, and also many stumbles.
It all started on a trip to Greece . It was my first time there, and it was love at first sight: its history, its culture, its islands... they captivated me. And as always when I travel, I'm not just relaxing; I'm also on the alert, because I've been in the fashion world for over 20 years and I always combine pleasure with work.
There I found a sandal factory that clicked with me. And I said to myself, "What if I brought this Greek essence to Spain, but in my own way?" That's how the idea of making jeweled sandals was born, something that didn't exist as such. I wanted to fuse craftsmanship with design and give it a touch of jewelry so they wouldn't just be comfortable, but also special.
Why is she called Cuchy?
Because it's my last name , and I carry it with great pride. My grandfather was a born entrepreneur, my father was also one in his own world, and although I decided to take a different path, I felt I had to carry that name forward. From a young age, I knew fashion was my calling. I worked for many years as a salesperson, and when I felt the time was right, I took the plunge and created something of my own.
And what was that moment?
I remember it perfectly: August 2019, in Sifnos (a Greek island I'm in love with). I said to myself, "This is the dream I want to fulfill." And it didn't take long for me to get started.
Of course, I started in the middle of the pandemic , which wasn't easy at all. Everything was closed, everything was uncertain... and I was building a brand from scratch. At first, I made a lot of mistakes, especially in the digital world (I came from a physical retail background and had no idea about websites, social media, campaigns, etc.). But I learned as I went, and little by little, I built a team that is key today.
The first prototypes were beautiful, but there were still many improvements to be made. In Greece, for example, they only know the flat sandal, and building a broader collection for different heights and with different materials has been a huge undertaking.
What makes Cuchy different?
Cuchy are handmade jewel sandals , made in Greece, with unique designs and small production runs. We don't mass produce. We do it slowly, with care, with quality materials. Because I don't want you to just wear them once. I want them to last and be with you year after year.
The jewelry that accompanies our footwear is very special. We make the molds ourselves and plated the jewelry in 24 kt gold, transforming our designs into unique pieces.
And that's what excites me the most: when you write to me saying that someone stopped you on the street asking about your sandals or that your friends were dying of envy... that lets me know we're on the right track.
Was it easy? No. Was it worth it? A thousand times over.
I've had problems with factories, with copies, and I've also had to endure nasty comments on social media. But none of that has stopped me. Because this is my life project . I've been offered ways out, but I want to be here. This is what I love to do.
In these five years , we've grown a lot. We've captured the attention of the public and fashion icons. We have a community of 130,000 people on Instagram who choose us over others and feel very special wearing our creations.
What did I learn?
To trust others, to work as a team, to let myself be helped. That I can't do everything. That you also have to take care of your personal life, because if not, it takes its toll. And that everything comes when it's supposed to. Not before, not after.
And if you're thinking about starting a business...
Do it. It won't be easy, but if you truly feel it, go for it. Surround yourself well, seek support, and don't be afraid to make mistakes. Because that's also part of the journey.
If I could talk to Sandra in 2019, I would say:
“You did it with your heart, and that’s already a success.”
Thank you for reading, for trusting Cuchy, and for being part of this dream.
— Sandra
