Up to 50% off as part of our Archive Sale! Discount is reflected in cart.
**Please note that shoes purchased as part of our Archive Sale are not eligible for refunds (exchange or store credit only). For full sale details, click here.
About Our Sample Silk Loafers
Sample Sale items may be lightly scuffed, or one-off samples that differ from our standard products. All sale items are considered FINAL SALE.
- Upper in 100% silk, hand-loomed by a women's collective in Uzbekistan.
- Leather sole with 3/4 inch heel.
- Handmade in Istanbul in a small, family-owned workshop, by cobblers whose families have practiced the craft for generations.
Product Care
Avoid rain or snow as much as possible. If your shoes do become a little bit wet, that’s ok; just let them dry out completely and continue wearing as usual. They can be freshened up by brushing lightly with a soft clothing brush.
If you plan on using your velvet shoes for daily walks or throughout city streets, you may extend the life of the soles by asking your local cobbler to attach a rubber sole to them.
Shipping
Most orders placed before 11am EST will ship that same business day; orders placed later in the day will ship on the next business day.
Standard US orders typically arrive within 1-4 business days via USPS Priority Mail. We also offer UPS Ground for those who prefer it, or whose address isn't served by USPS. Expedited shipping options are UPS Next Day and Second Day Air; these are a calculated rate that will show at checkout.
Returns & Exchanges
If something doesn't work out, we will gladly accept the return of full-priced items in their original, unworn condition within 30 days of receiving your order. Exchanges and returns for store credit are free, but a $7.50 shipping fee will be deducted from refunds to the original form of payment.
International orders and sale items are considered final sale.
Please find our full return policy here.
About our Oriental Carpet Products
As opposed to flat-woven kilims, hand-knotted oriental carpets are known for their “pile,” the small, raised fibers that give it a fuzzy texture and a soft, velvety hand. That quality has made oriental carpets more difficult to work with in the past, but our clever cobblers have found a way to gently shave down the pile while preserving its lush feel and appearance.
Each of our Carpet pieces is handmade from vintage, one-of-a-kind Turkish carpets, which means that no two will ever be alike. We photograph each item individually, so what you see on the product page is exactly what you'll receive.
About our Kilim Products
Kilims are a style of textile traditionally crafted on Turkey's Anatolian peninsula, primarily woven from wool on a cotton ground. Kilims are flat-woven, featuring a thin, tight weave that make them a perfect textile for crafting shoes. Every symbol, color, and pattern woven into the Kilim has meaning and represents a hope, a dream, or a story from the life of the weaver.
Each of our Kilim pieces is handmade from vintage, one-of-a-kind Turkish carpets, which means that no two will ever be alike. We photograph each item individually, so what you see on the product page is exactly what you'll receive.
About our Sumak Kilim Products
Sumak (also spelled Soumak, Soumakh, Sumac, and Soumac) kilims are crafted from a mixture of wool and silk, and have a stronger weave and a more textural hand than other types of kilim carpets. They are known for their intricate designs that incorporate finely detailed symbols, figures, and representations of animals. The crisp and boldly contrasting blues, reds, and whites often featured in Sumak kilims make them a favorite among our community.
Each of our Sumak Kilim pieces is handmade from one-of-a-kind Turkish carpets, which means that no two will ever be alike. We photograph each item individually, so what you see on the product page is exactly what you'll receive.
The Sumak textile is more structured than the Kilim or Oriental Carpet, which generally translates to a longer break-in period for shoes.
The Difference between our Women’s Styles
Loafers
Our Kilim Loafer might be considered the “classic” Artemis shoe. The shape of our Kilim Loafer fits narrow or medium-width feet best, but they will stretch over time to accommodate most widths. Runs true to size.
Smoking Shoes
Inspired by menswear, our classic Smoking Shoe for women features a high vamp and a slightly wider width. If your feet are of medium-width or on the wider side, you may find that the Kilim Smoking Shoe provides the best fit.
Slippers
A backless version of our Smoking Shoe, this style is evocative of classic menswear, featuring a high vamp and a slightly wider width. This style runs a half-size smaller than our closed-back styles, so if you wear a half size, order the next size up (example, a 38.5 should take a 39).
Slides
Inspired by the ease of a classic clog, but with a more feminine shape and a sleeker profile. The heel of this style is twice as high as our other styles, giving the wearer a flattering little lift. This style runs a half-size smaller than our closed-back styles, so if you wear a half size, order the next size up (example, a 38.5 should take a 39).
The Difference between our Men’s Styles
Loafers
Our Men’s Kilim Loafers are inspired by classical formalwear. In particular, the velvet slippers sometimes known as “Prince Albert Slippers” that men wore with smoking jackets in their studies while partaking in after-dinner cigars. We recommend that gentlemen size down in this style to ensure a snug fit.
Slippers
A backless version of our Men’s Kilim Loafer. If you enjoy the look of our Kilim Loafer but want to have something a bit more casual, the Kilim Slipper is an excellent choice. This style runs small, so we recommend ordering the European equivalent of your US size, or going one size larger than your Men’s Kilim Loafer size.