HEREU
Paths Taken, Paths Forged
Forging our own path often begins by walking the trails left by others. Much is said about learning to let go, but little about the strength found in holding on. Sometimes, leaving leads us back to what we cherish most, revealing the true value of what we inhabited. There is no triumph without its falls, nor victory without the test.
Sometimes, we must learn to let go; other times, we let go in order to embrace with more freedom, to hold firmly but without clinging, to embrace with both strength and gentleness—like the wind that shapes a flower without breaking it.
For Hereu—or, in other words, for Albert Escribano and Jose Luis Bartolomé—moving out of Spain was a turning point that helped define their lives today: “Living in London makes you merge with the crowd and become part of a diverse environment, while at the same time appreciating your individuality and true nature.
Living immersed in a different culture or a multicultural urban environment made us notice and value even more the craftsmanship rooted in Spain and the Mediterranean. We also realized that reinterpreting those traditions, crafts, and techniques could be successful in creating pieces and imagery that people from capital cities would find interesting and relevant.”
Reinventing tradition might seem contradictory at first, but for Albert and Jose Luis, it was a natural evolution. This vision gave birth to Hereu—meaning heir in Catalan—a brand whose very name is a declaration of intent: “It was a personal decision since both of us deeply appreciate craftsmanship and its history, as crafts are the result of traditions. The concept of the brand took shape at a time when we were searching for meaning in our work, a purpose that felt significant. For us, traditions connect the past, present, and future; they keep memories alive while creating new ones.”
With this purpose as a leitmotif, and driven by the need to be closer to the artisans they wanted to collaborate with, Hereu relocated to Barcelona. There, it developed as a local brand with an international spirit. By naming its pieces in Catalan, Hereu has crafted an identity deeply connected to the Mediterranean, as if sending a postcard from the Costa Brava or the Balearic Islands. However, this wasn’t a calculated strategy: “Not really. We are both very fond of the Catalan language, and it feels natural for us to name our creations with Catalan names. It is also a homage to places and references that hold meaning for us.” The result is a collection that evokes a sunlit scene—the boats, the sand, the sea—bathed in Mediterranean warmth.
Looking back at their most iconic designs, Albert and Jose Luis agree that two pieces define the essence of the brand: the Pesca Sandal, a contemporary reinterpretation of the traditional fisherman sandal, and the Calella Bag, a modern take on the classic straw basket.
Over the time, Hereu has developed its own gestures and rituals within the creative process, where Albert and Jose Luis’ deep connection to tradition and craftsmanship is most evident: “In the making of each piece, we focus on the technique and skill of every factory and artisan. That is always the starting point of our designs.” Being in touch with artisans is a constant source of inspiration, as are the archive images that the Hereu team is always searching for. Their upcoming collection continues to honor the vitality of Mediterranean life: “The SS2025 collection evokes feelings of joy, tranquility, and nostalgia for idyllic coastal living
It transports the wearer to sun-drenched days by the sea. The collection creates an atmosphere of serene luxury, where the old meets the new in perfect harmony, embodying the spirit of a Mediterranean summer that is both contemporary and deeply rooted in heritage.” As for their creative process, “there is also an emotional connection to craftsmanship and tradition, as each piece reflects the dedication of family-owned Spanish factories and skilled artisans.”
Though Hereu remains firmly rooted in its authentic and joyful past, after ten years of existence, looking toward the future is inevitable. With the same determination that has brought them to where they are today, Albert and Jose Luis outline their aspirations for the coming years: “We would like to give the brand a lifestyle connotation rather than just fashion, consolidate brand awareness, maintain the highest standards of quality and design, and continue supporting crafts and family businesses.”
Hereu’s journey is a testament to the power of tradition reimagined, a bridge between heritage and innovation that continues to shape its vision of timeless Mediterranean elegance.
