The sneaker world is crowded. From global sports giants to independent labels, there’s no shortage of brands competing for your attention. Many of them, especially the new independents, share a common badge: Made in Portugal.
At Foreign Objects, our sneakers are crafted in Porto too — but that’s not the full story. For us, Portugal is just one part of a much bigger journey that begins in Hackney, East London.
Hackney Roots: Where the Idea Began
Foreign Objects was born out of Hackney’s mix of grit and creativity. The streets here have always had their own style language — a culture that values individuality over hype.
“Hackney isn’t just where we’re from — it’s our design DNA. Every line of the E980 carries that edge.”
When we started this brand, we didn’t want to follow sneaker trends. We wanted to create sneakers that are timeless, built for real life, but with the character of where we come from. Hackney is more than home — it’s our foundation.
Why Porto Workshops
When it came to bringing our sneakers to life, we had choices. We could have gone the fast-fashion route, or outsourced to the cheapest factories. We didn’t.
We found Porto’s small workshops — teams of craftspeople who still make sneakers by hand.
“We didn’t choose Porto because it was trendy. We chose it because the workshops there share our obsession with craft and detail.”
Every stitch, every panel, every cut of suede matters. And when you’re building a collection designed to last, compromise isn’t an option.
Our Philosophy: Fewer, Better
Most brands launch with endless silhouettes, chasing trends. We’re building differently — a focused collection, refined one sneaker at a time.
“We don’t believe in making more for the sake of it. We believe in making fewer, better sneakers.”
Our first drop, the E980 Origins, set the tone: modern luxury, premium materials, timeless design. And more silhouettes are on the way — each developed with the same philosophy of focus, craft, and cultural roots.
