This Marikina-Based Shoe Brand Promises the Comfort of Sneakers in Bespoke Leather

Bucroe began as a mass-production shoe company in Marikina in 1978, supplying department stores and shops in Divisoria, Baguio, and Dagupan with affordable footwear. The company thrived in the mass market until factories in China and elsewhere took over the industry.  

Seeing the shift, a young Edward Limsico proposed a new direction to his parents, Tomas and Imelda—transitioning the business to focus on custom-made, handcrafted shoes for the higher-end market.

Bucrose focuses on custom-made, handcrafted shoes for the higher-end market

Limsico’s idea for bespoke shoes stemmed from a personal need. Being flat-footed with wide feet, he struggled to find leather shoes that fit comfortably. In 2012, his father was more than happy to let him take the business in a new direction. 

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Bucroe’s first clients as a bespoke shoe brand were friends and relatives who wanted to elevate their look with elegant, durable, and exceptionally comfortable leather shoes. At the time, Bucroe had only two artisans working on the shoes—aged 65 and 57—but their skill and craftsmanship were unmatched.

Two-faced Oxfords is a Bucroe original

In 2017, the proprietors recognized the need for more artisans to keep up with growing orders. To find skilled shoemakers, they personally visited their homes, seeking out the best craftsmen. They even went so far as to install sewing machines in the homes of elderly shoemakers who could no longer commute daily, ensuring they could continue their craft with ease.

Limsico now serves as the CEO of Bucroe, running the company alongside his business partner, Edwin Borja, the COO. They now have 14 skilled and well-trained artisans crafting bespoke shoes for their growing clientele. 

Bucroe proprietors Edwin Borja and Edward Limsico

Friends in the fashion industry, like Avel Bacudio, have collaborated with Bucroe to complement haute couture pieces in fashion shows. Bucroe shoes were even worn by Bacudio’s models during LA Fashion Week. 

Referrals from industry icons like Bacudio, Francis Libiran, and Ryan Ablaza Uson have been instrumental in attracting new customers. These prominent fashion figures share one thing in common—they own handmade Bucroe shoes and stand by the brand’s promise of comfort, elegance, and durability.

Bucroe offers fully customized loafers, boots, and other bespoke designs to suit individual styles

Bucroe’s growing clientele includes celebrities, politicians, lawyers, doctors, and soon-to-wed grooms—a rapidly expanding market segment for the brand. Actor Michael V., broadcaster Anthony Taberna, NBA stars Klay Thompson and Kevon Looney, have been spotted wearing Bucroe shoes. Bucroe has also fulfilled orders from as far as the United States.

Bucroe’s bestsellers, according to the business partners, are essential staples in a man’s wardrobe: the Full Brogue Wingtip Oxfords and Black Cap Toe Oxfords. However, clients aren’t limited to these classics—Bucroe also offers fully customized loafers, boots, and other bespoke designs to suit individual styles. According to Limsico, there’s no need to ‘break in’ Bucroe shoes as they are designed to provide exceptional comfort from the very first wear.

No need to break-in; Bucroe shoes are designed to provide comfort from the very first wear

Limsico confidently claims that Bucroe shoes offer the comfort of rubber sneakers in a leather pair. He put their quality and comfort to the test during a trip to Australia, where he unexpectedly went trekking in a pair of Bucroe leather brogues—and they did not disappoint. 

“It’s not just a product but a service we’re offering,” says Limsico. He also claims that once you try their custom-fit, custom-made shoes, you might not want to buy off-the-rack or ready-to-wear ever again. 

Bucroe’s bestsellers include Full Brogue Wingtip Oxfords and Black Cap Toe Oxfords

“We try to find the exact measurement of the feet, custom fit it, and try to find the best way we can make it as comfortable as possible,” Edward adds. 

On a somber note, Edward shared with Esquire Philippines that his father, who founded Bucroe, passed away last December. Though deeply saddened by the loss, he finds comfort in knowing that he is carrying on his father’s legacy—a legacy he believes his father is proudly smiling down on from above.

Limsico and Borja share a clear and simple dream for Bucroe—to be recognized as a proudly Filipino brand that crafts world-class quality shoes.  And from the looks of it, they are steadily turning that dream into reality.