Adelante

Overview

Adelante Shoe Co. produces handmade leather footwear and accessories for men and women. The company operates a vertically-integrated workshop in Pastores, Guatemala, and sells directly to consumers via its website. It employs a 'Living Well Line' pricing model that bases costs on local living wages and shares production updates from craftsmen with customers.

History

Adelante Shoe Co. was founded in 2016 by Peter Sacco and is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts. The brand launched in 2017 with its Living Well Line social impact model, growing to become the largest formal employer in Pastores, Guatemala. It has received investment from 37 Angels and was later backed by private equity firm Sierra Capital.

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are handcrafted one at a time in the company's vertically-integrated workshop in Pastores, Guatemala. No mass production or factories are used; each item is made-to-order by local master craftsmen.

Notable Products

• Men's Dress Shoes - Classically styled leather shoes handmade by Guatemalan artisans with customer production updates.
• Women's Heels - Premium leather heels produced under the Living Well Line model.
• Leather Belts - Handcrafted accessories from the Guatemala workshop.

Reputation

Adelante is recognized among ethical fashion enthusiasts for its fair wage model and direct artisan connections, providing transparency via photos and videos. Professionals note its social impact in Guatemala but question scalability due to handmade production limits. The brand maintains a niche reputation for quality leather goods at accessible prices.