Luis Onofre named new president of the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry

By

Estela Ataíde

Translated by
Barbara Santamaria

Published
Feb 12, 2019

Luis Onofre , the fashion designer and currently head of Apiccaps (Portuguese Footwear,
Components and Leather Goods Manufacturers Association), has been named president of the European Confederation of the Footwear Industry (CEC), a Brussels-based organisation which acts as the voice of the European footwear industry. The Portuguese designer will take over from Cleto Sacripanti on 24 March.

Apiccaps announced Luis Onofre’s appointment on Sunday during the Micam fair in Milan. When he becomes president of the CEC, Onofre will lead a European industry that brings together more than 21,000 companies and generates over 278,000 jobs.

Known for his elegant and sophisticated shoe designs, Luis Onofre is well known in the industry and has been Apiccaps’ president since May 2017. A graduate from the School of Fine Arts in Porto, he cut his teeth at the Professional Training Centre of the Footwear Industry (now Design and Footwear Academy). In 1999, he established his namesake brand, specialised in footwear and luxury accessories. It currently has two stores, one in Lisbon and one in Porto. In 2014, he has awarded the Order of Entrepreneurial Merit by former president of Portugal Aníbal Cavaco Silva.

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This is the second time that a Portuguese-born executive has been elected to lead the CEC, following in the footsteps of Fortunato Frederico (former Apiccaps president) in 2001. He was at the helm of the organisation for two years.