"Parallèle stems from a desire for simplicity, refinement, elegance, and timelessness."
These are the words of Alain Faure, the founder of the brand in 1985, which still resonate in our workshops today.
This is our story.
At the very beginning, it was Marcel Faure in 1964 who committed to the development and production of high-quality, handcrafted shoes in France, with a feminine, refined, and timeless style. In his workshops, pairs of shoes were designed, conceived, and manufactured for the major brands of his time. The French workshop then became a reference in the production of women’s shoes with both elegant and streamlined lines, confirming an undeniable quality of design. This dedication and commitment to maintaining his French craftsmanship allowed Marcel Faure to unite and preserve his reputation as a shoemaker of excellence.
In 1985, Alain Faure, who grew up amidst the hum of sewing machines and the smell of leather, actively participated in the creation of Parallele. The first store took root in Paris, and the brand quickly became a reference in the field of luxury shoes at an affordable price. The brand’s heritage was thus passed down from one generation to the next and continued to develop.
In 2000, innovation is the watchword for the new century. Parallèle launches its first stretch leather boot, which quickly becomes one of the brand's iconic products. The brand thus becomes a pioneer in the material and reaffirms its commitment to embodying elegance. This marks the beginning of a movement known as "effortless." This concept of grace with the slightest effort aligns perfectly with the Parallèle identity.
In 2021, Cherif Delamarre, who was then leading a women’s shoe design and manufacturing studio, took over the direction of Parallèle with his son Maxime Delamarre. Together, they bring a fresh vision to the brand while preserving its values and fundamentals. It is with their team that they conceive and design the future Parallèle collections, which are then crafted in a Tuscan workshop in Italy.
“For nearly 50 years, Parallèle has embraced a creative approach, reinventing itself with each collection. Our challenge is to modernize elegance. To redefine it. Our vision is based on a total commitment to the values of Parallèle: femininity, simplicity, and spontaneity. These strong and timeless values, which remain present in our collection, resonate with today’s women, who are attuned to notions of quality and well-being.”
- Maxime Delamarre –
Parallèle now offers luxury shoes designed in Paris and made in Italy. The brand works exclusively with high-quality materials and constantly innovates in pursuit of comfort and functional elegance. The collections are available in our Parisian boutiques and at major retailers such as Printemps and Galerie Lafayette. The brand has also embraced the digital age and is available on the website www.parallele.com.
Parallèle represents a woman who is always on the move and proudly embraces her femininity.
