For the shoe-obsessed fashionista, sacrificing comfort for style is practically second nature. But a local shoe brand is showing us that we don’t need sore feet for the ’fit. MIL Handcrafted Creations is a Cebu-based footwear and apparel brand that specializes in merging chic designs with local artistry for some of the comfiest shoes you’ll ever own.
The brand has been around since 2014, according to co-founder Milody Acutias. It started during her university years and grew into a movement that ultimately required a physical space.
“Atúa Midtown is the best home for MIL Handcrafted Creations because it showcases local communities and brands. The founders are amazing because they gathered the creative community of Cebu City in this space,” says Alcutias.
Being surrounded by creativity is nothing new to the brand. Ever since its inception, it’s been guided by the same principle: creating for the love of craftsmanship.
A labor in love
“[MIL] was supposed to be ‘Made with Love.’ We named it ‘Made In Love’ because ‘Made with Love’ means you add love to it, but ‘MIL’ means it’s surrounded by love already. Love for the craft—the labor, the hard work, and the heritage of this local livelihood. Especially in Carcar,” she explains.
And every step is indeed steeped in love.
The brand takes no shortcuts when creating each piece. Every pair is handcrafted by experienced sapateros using premium natural and synthetic leather components. Local weaves and fabrics from across the country also make their way into the design to stay true to the brand’s heritage and support for local communities.
“Our mission is not only to sustain, but also to uplift the craftsmanship in Carcar. We want to create livelihoods for our sapateros that can sustain their families and let them feel the pride of being a shoemaker. We want them to say that they’re not just a sapatero. They are a sapatero,” she adds.
Feel the difference
E-commerce is indeed booming, but having a physical store where people can try on the shoes is different. What makes MIL so special isn’t only the fact that it’s stylish and locally made, but also its all-day wearability.
And as someone who walked over 20,000 steps over concrete, cobblestone, and gravel in a pair, I can personally vouch for the claim.
Comfort was a big priority for Alcutias when starting the brand. She remembers looking at gorgeous shoes when she was younger, but realizing they were only nice to look at, not to wear. So when she decided to start designing shoes, she made sure comfort was a priority.
Having customers feel the difference is also one of the main reasons they decided to set up shop.
“We decided to come out of our shell because we saw how happy people were when they tried on our designs at bazaars. We joined more and more pop-ups until people started to look for a place where they could see new designs and try on the shoes. That’s what [the people] really like, trying on the shoes,” she says.
Durability is also woven into MIL’s DNA. You can wear them to the beach, get them wet, wear them as much as you like, and just pop them into the wash. Each design is personally tested by Alcutias and her team to make sure it can withstand the demands of daily life—and then some.
Whatever you like
As people’s needs and wants keep changing, MIL does its best to stay ahead. Another defining factor for the brand is the ability for shoppers to customize a pair to their exact needs. You can customize your very own pair of shoes straight from your imagination (or maybe Pinterest) with their help.
“As long as the design is doable by hand and the materials are available, [we can do it],” Alcutias declares.
Even for their pre-made designs, you can mix things up. Be it the color of the leather or the specific material, you can request adjustments and changes for your one-of-a-kind pair. Their open-toe, open-heel designs go up to a size 12, while their closed-toe, closed-heel designs go up to a size 11, so there won’t be any baddies left behind.
A study in passion and purpose
Loving local has become a movement, and MIL Handcrafted Creations is doing its part. It brings the heritage of artisanal craftsmanship into the modern age with its selection of both trendy and timeless designs. The experience of wearing MIL shoes is like no other, making you want to wear them again and again.
“MIL is a brand that’s surrounded by the love of craftsmanship. Gawa natin, sariling atin, tangkilikin. So when you see MIL, you’re not just buying footwear. You’re also buying the heart of everyone in the background. Our love that we pour into our craft—the process, the artisanship—we’re giving it to you. We’re selling the love,” Alcutias concludes.
At its core, MIL makes the case for seamlessly weaving passion and purpose into something that will accompany you—both literally and figuratively—every step of the way.
You can visit MIL Handcrafted Creations at Unit B205, level 2, Atúa Midtown, or at Level 2, SM J Mall. You can also shop online at walkwithmil.com.
Photography Summer Demol
