HOW WE MAKE OUR SHOES

Ideas & Inspiration

It all starts with an idea. When Helen founded Dotty Fish in 2006, her aim was simple — to create quality baby shoes that looked lovely, were practical for little feet and were affordable for parents. The very first designs began as drawings on a piece of paper, and in many ways, that part of our design process hasn’t changed.

Today, every Dotty Fish shoe is still designed in the UK by our in-house team, with each new design beginning as a simple idea or sketch.

Inspiration can come from almost anywhere — colours we spot while out and about, flowers in the park, children's clothing, seasonal trends or suggestions from our customers. We also think carefully about colour combinations and creating designs that can be enjoyed by all little ones.

Some of our favourite designs have been inspired by ideas and feedback from Dotty Fish customers, which makes seeing the finished shoes even more special.

From Sketch to Sample

Once an idea has taken shape, our sketches are developed into electronic designs and sent to our manufacturing partners to create the first samples.

This is one of the most important stages of the process. Something that looks perfect on paper or on a computer screen doesn’t always translate exactly as expected when made into a leather shoe.

When the samples arrive, we review them carefully, looking at everything from the colours and design details to the sizing, shape and fit. Adjustments are made where needed and further samples may be produced until we’re happy with the finished result.

But creating a Dotty Fish shoe isn't just about how it looks. The materials we use are just as important.

Choosing & Testing Our Leather

Safety has always been an important part of the Dotty Fish story. When Helen first started the business, her son Josh was still a baby and, in many ways, became one of the first Dotty Fish product testers. Like many babies, he was sometimes just as interested in putting his shoes in his mouth as he was in wearing them!

It highlighted just how important the materials used in baby shoes are. Little ones explore the world with their hands and mouths, so we want the leather used in our shoes to be carefully selected and tested.

Dotty Fish shoes are made using genuine goat, cow or sheep leather. We never use PU or imitation leather in place of genuine leather.

We have worked with Eurofins, a specialist testing laboratory, for many years. The leather used for our shoes is sample tested at source, and we also carry out independent testing in line with European REACH requirements.

Testing our materials is an important part of our design and production process and helps us make sure the leather used in Dotty Fish shoes meets the standards we expect for products designed for babies and children.

From Production to Little Feet

Once we’re happy with the samples, materials and final design, our new shoes are ready to go into production.

The whole process can take several months from that very first idea to the exciting moment when the finished shoes arrive at Dotty Fish. No matter how many new designs we create, opening that first box never gets old!

Our shoes are quality checked to make sure they meet our standards before being packed and sent to customers. Everyone on the Dotty Fish team usually has a favourite — and they often become the pairs we choose ourselves when friends or family welcome a new baby.

Even after all these years, Helen is still involved in the day-to-day business, helping us stay close to both the products we create and the customers we create them for.

Sharing Our New Designs

One of the best parts of creating a new shoe is finally being able to share it with you!

We often share new designs, sneak peeks and product launches on our social media pages, but what we love most is seeing your little ones wearing their Dotty Fish shoes.

If you share your Dotty Fish moments, don’t forget to tag us and use #dottyfish so we can see them. You can find us on Facebook dottyfishltd and Instagram @dottyfish.

You can also join our mailing list to hear about new designs, product launches and special offers.