Esska
Esska is the West London footwear brand that has spent nearly two decades proving a point: stylish shoes and genuine comfort are not a compromise, and you should never have to choose between them. Founded in 2006 by Souraya Karami, an architect turned shoe designer, Esska produces heels, boots, sandals, and flats that are designed in London and handmade in Portugal by skilled artisans who share the brand's obsession with quality and detail. At Kiti we stock Esska because it fits the way our customers actually live: beautifully dressed, constantly moving, and unwilling to sacrifice one thing for another.
Browse the Esska edit below, or explore the full footwear collection for more styles from the Kiti edit.
About Esska
Esska was founded in 2006 by Souraya Karami, who trained as an architect in Beirut before relocating to London in 2003 to study shoe design at the London College of Fashion. Frustrated by a market that seemed to offer only two options, stylish but painful or comfortable but dull, Souraya set out to create a third: footwear that genuinely delivered on both. The brand began with a single sandal, designed and sold from a spare room in East London. That spare room quickly became a design studio, warehouse, and office in one, and the Esska journey began.
Today Esska is sold in over 200 boutiques around the world, has won Drapers Footwear Designer of the Year, and remains true to the original idea that brought it into existence. Every pair is still designed by Souraya in London and handmade in Portugal by the same artisan partners the brand has worked with since the beginning. The materials are premium: leathers, vegan alternatives, and carefully considered construction that gives each shoe a quality feel from the moment you pick it up. Esska is also independently and female-founded, a fact that runs through the culture of the brand and the way it approaches its customers.
The aesthetic is bold without being loud. Esska loves colour, metallics, and unexpected detail, but always in the service of a shoe that works in a real wardrobe rather than one that looks better on a shelf than on a foot. The range covers heels, sandals, boots, flats, and loafers, with new styles arriving each season alongside the perennial bestsellers that customers return to year after year.
Esska Heels and Occasion Shoes
Esska's heels are what the brand is best known for, and they have earned their reputation honestly. These are heels that women wear to weddings and then dance in until midnight, which is not something that can be said of most shoes at any price point. The secret is in the construction: cushioned insoles, carefully balanced heels, and a fit that does not punish you for wearing them all day. If you have been avoiding heels because of comfort concerns, Esska is the place to reconsider.
Esska at Kiti
We stock Esska alongside Alohas as part of the Kiti footwear edit, giving our customers a range that covers everything from sustainable Spanish trainers and ballet flats through to the kind of occasion heel that genuinely works. If you would like to know what Esska styles are currently in stock, or want advice on sizing, please get in touch or visit us on Pontcanna Street in Cardiff.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Esska?
Esska is a West London footwear brand founded in 2006 by architect turned shoe designer Souraya Karami. Known for combining genuine comfort with stylish design, Esska produces heels, sandals, boots, and flats that are designed in London and handmade in Portugal. The brand has won Drapers Footwear Designer of the Year and is sold in over 200 boutiques worldwide.
Where can I buy Esska shoes in the UK?
Esska is stocked at Kiti in Cardiff, where you can shop online at kiticymru.com or visit us in store on Pontcanna Street. We are an official UK stockist of the brand. You can browse the full Esska range alongside our wider footwear collection.
Are Esska shoes comfortable?
Yes. Comfort is the founding principle of the brand. Esska heels in particular are known for their cushioned construction and balanced design, allowing them to be worn for extended periods without discomfort. The brand was created specifically because the founder believed stylish shoes should not have to be painful ones.
Where are Esska shoes made?
Esska shoes are designed in London and handmade in Portugal by skilled artisan partners. The brand uses premium leathers and vegan materials, and each pair is crafted with precision and attention to detail by the same Portuguese workshops Esska has worked with since its early years.
How does Esska sizing work?
Esska shoes are available in standard UK sizing and tend to run true to size. The brand also offers a wide fit option on selected styles for customers who need more room across the forefoot. If you are unsure about sizing for a specific style, please get in touch and we will advise you.
What styles does Esska make?
Esska produces heels, sandals, boots, flats, and loafers, with a particular reputation for its occasion heels. The range is known for its use of bold colour, metallic finishes, and layered materials, all designed to make footwear that works as well in real life as it looks on the shelf.
