Founded in 2017 by Myriam Belzile-Maguire and her sister, Maguire is a Montreal-based footwear brand designing women’s shoes that balance quality, comfort, and timeless style. Designed in the Mile-End and crafted in Europe, the brand is built on transparency, offering ethically made shoes through a direct-to-consumer model at a more accessible price point.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Maguire is a shoe brand that I founded in 2017 with my sister. We design women’s shoes that combine quality, comfort, and timeless style—everything is designed from our offices in the Mile-End and produced in Europe with premium leather. When we founded the company, we also made a point of making sure that transparency is at the heart of everything we do, from pricing to production.
What made you want to do this work?
I’ve always been interested in fashion, and especially shoes. To me, shoes are the perfect blend of style and thoughtful design because they need to be both beautiful and comfortable. My background in industrial design has been incredibly valuable, giving me the skills to create footwear that not only looks great but feels great too. Plus, while there are countless clothing brands, there are far fewer dedicated shoe brands, which makes this a more niche and exciting space to be in.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
I wanted to make high-quality shoes more affordable. European-made shoes often cost over $400, but I knew it was possible to offer the same level of craftsmanship at a lower price. By building Maguire as a direct-to-consumer brand, we’ve been able to eliminate unnecessary intermediaries, not just between us and our customers, but also between us and the factories. This approach allows us to offer ethically made, high-quality shoes at a fairer price.
Who are your clientele/demographics?
Our customers are mostly urban, working women who love fashion but live in the real world. They want shoes that look stylish and modern, but that can also keep up with their busy days, whether they’re running between meetings, walking to dinner, or exploring a new city on the weekend.
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We’re primarily a direct-to-consumer brand, selling through our website, maguireshoes.com, and in our own stores in Montreal, Toronto, and New York City (Nolita and Williamsburg). We also recently launched a collaboration with Simons, featuring an exclusive collection available in all their stores across Canada.
Where in the city can we find your profession?
The biggest player in Montreal’s footwear industry is Aldo, whose head office is located in Ville St-Laurent. Many other fashion companies are based in the Chabanel district, which has long been a hub for the city’s fashion scene.
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
“Where are your shoes made?” It’s one of the most important questions because it reveals a lot about the true quality behind the price. Our shoes are made in Spain, Portugal, and Italy, where craftsmanship and materials meet exceptionally high standards. Some brands sell shoes at a similar price point, but their production is based in Asia, so understanding where a shoe comes from can make a big difference in both quality and value.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
Travelling and working directly with our factories has allowed me to build strong relationships with them. It’s incredibly rewarding to receive the first samples after sending a sketch and see that vision come to life. As a founder, design is only a small part of my day-to-day work, and sometimes I wish I had more time to do it!
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
In French, there’s a saying I find amusing about my profession: “Cordonnier mal chaussé,” which roughly means “the shoemaker wears bad shoes.” I like it because, even though I work in shoes and although I love them, I always end up wearing the same pair over and over again.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
I love what Eliza Faulkner does—she’s a wonderful talent, and she’s a friend of the brand!
