The Dutch brand Filling Pieces, over the 15 years since its founding, has grown from creating its first pair of shoes to becoming an international fashion label with collections of footwear, clothing and accessories. Positioned at the crossroads of high fashion and streetwear, the brand bridges the gap between different worlds and cultures—in fashion and beyond.
Filling Pieces began in 2009 when Guillaume Philibert, a Dutch graduate in architecture with Surinamese roots, conceptualised premium sneakers at an accessible price point.
This gave birth to the Low Top model—the first to bridge the aforementioned gap. These sneakers became more than just footwear—they were a symbol of luxurious yet accessible design. The model leveled the playing field and proved that good design can unite people of all genders, races, religions and orientations. Today, the Low Top remains a symbol of a world united by the power of creativity, where there are no boundaries between people.
Guillaume’s passion for sneakers began in childhood when he had a collection of Nike and Puma sneakers bought by his parents. As he grew older, he wanted something more extraordinary than yet another pair of sports shoes. Eventually, after saving some money, he bought an expensive pair from Dior and was disappointed when, a few days later, he saw 10-15 people on the street wearing the same sneakers. “At that moment, I thought about creating my own sneakers that would be both accessible and sufficiently exclusive. There were almost no independent brands in this field, so I easily found a niche,” says Guillaume.
The name “Filling Pieces” is a statement made by Philibert when founding the company, aimed at filling the gap between two segments. However, the lack of healthy competition was not accidental. When Guillaume launched production, he faced many challenges as an independent entrepreneur: Chinese factories refused to accept orders of 50 units and the language barrier complicated communication. Despite the difficulties, the foundation was laid in the form of the Low Top silhouette which became an FP classic.
After a few seasons, production was moved to Portugal, where a wide range of materials and organized supply chains allowed Filling Pieces to fully unfold its potential. Portuguese factories, which produce 95% of the brand’s products, are not just factories; they are family businesses that have been perfecting the art of creating quality products for 25–40 years. They are defined by passion, spirit and strong relationships with employees and clients, forming the basis of respectful partnerships with all factories and a first step toward creating a high-quality product.
“In the footwear industry, it is important to be innovators and adapt to changes. Our goal is to become leaders, and that is what drives us to evolve.” Today, the team led by Guillaume Philibert numbers several dozen people and is constantly growing, as is the number of models. However, support is still indispensable: “Our collaboration with Ronnie Fieg and his KITH store in 2014 greatly helped us win over the American audience. But we would never do a collaboration solely for new fans, money or fame.”
For the founder, it is important that he, the designers and the marketers of Filling Pieces have a personal connection with those who want to collaborate. Often, the motivation is something the brand does not yet have—for example, the collaboration with Japanese brand Ones Stroke in 2015 provided an opportunity to create something beyond shoes while preserving unique design and
production quality.
In 2014, Filling Pieces was awarded "Best Breakthrough Brand," surpassing competitors like Marcelo Burlon County of Milan and I Love Ugly. The brand emphasizes quality, responsibility and design across its operations. From premium materials to ethical production practices, these values guide every decision.
“Every design choice we make is based on quality, responsibility and design which also matters when and how we produce. Every material we purchase or how we manufacture it involves decision-making that considers quality. For me, quality is not only about how durable a product is but also how it feels, ages and fits. This is our premise.”
When it comes to quality, the brand’s principles include only handcrafted production of shoes using high-quality leather, suede and nubuck. The recommended price for all proprietary models starts at around €190. Despite the growth of the business, whose turnover exceeded 20 million euros a few years ago, FP manages to maintain independence and place it at the forefront of its philosophy: “We release products online and through retailers whenever we want, regardless of timeframes or seasons.”
In addition to his work at Filling Pieces, Guillaume is passionate about music and
is a DJ.
The brand advocates for youth, independence, creativity, curiosity and ambition and believes in unity through diversity, using design as a language to create positive changes in everyday life. The brand strives for the highest standards while nurturing young talents and encouraging personal growth among employees. It also unites like-minded individuals to create a better world, asserting that differences between people make us stronger together. The lifestyle promoted allows for daily joy and FP aims to share these beliefs with the world.
Currently, the brand continues to grow, releasing increasingly innovative shoe silhouettes and a complete collection of ready-to-wear clothing with bags, accessories and eyewear.
In the 2021 film "Bridging the Gap: 10 Years of Filling Pieces," the history of Guillaume Philibert and his colleagues over 10 years is retrospectively and thoroughly shown. From the very first steps in the fast-changing fashion world to the moment when he, as the founder and creative director of the brand, stands at a unique crossroads for himself and the company.
From Filling Pieces’ collaborations with other brands and celebrities, the following stand out
FP X IWC Schaffhausen
FP X The New Originals FP X The New Originals
FP X Schott NYC
FP X Daily Paper
FP X BACARDI
FP X Majid Jordan
FP X KNTXT
FP X KLM
Filling Pieces has also embraced the critical challenge of rethinking what it means to be responsible in the fashion world concerning the environment. This commitment to sustainability lies not only in minimising environmental impact but also in maximising social impact. The company tirelessly works to weave sustainability and social consciousness into the fabric of the brand, making fashion a force for good in the world.
Together with the Second Life Textile movement, Filling Pieces collects used clothing and textiles at its flagship store to give them a second life, later turning them into new yarn for stylish clothing.
Cotton in the products is 100% certified by GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard), guaranteeing at least 95% organic fibers. These fibers are grown without harmful chemicals and, through their natural processes, contribute to healthier soils and ecosystems, making them safer for those who grow and wear them. All shoe boxes are FSC-marked, meaning they are made from a mix of materials from FSC-certified forests, recycled materials, and controlled FSC wood. Polyethylene bags are 50% made from recycled plastic.
Filling Pieces is a member of the Leather Working Group, demonstrating its commitment to working with leather suppliers who hold this certification. Sixty percent of the leather is sourced from a supplier with an LWG Gold certification and 40% from a supplier with an LWG Silver certification. Additionally, 60% of the leather in FP products is:
1) Bull leather, a byproduct of the meat industry.
2) Processed in a tannery made of 90% renewable bio-based materials, the first such tannery in the world to hold USDA Biobased certification.
3) Certified by Der Blaue Engel. Products certified by Blue Angel better protect the environment and human health.
4) Sourced from a supplier that is carbon-neutral through investments in energy efficiency and carbon offset projects.
5) Certified by Oeko-Tex, meaning that each product component, from fabric to thread, is rigorously tested to meet a list of 350 toxic chemicals.
Additionally, FP’s office uses bicycles and public transport, minimal flights only on carbon-neutral airlines and a modern workspace aligned with a hybrid work policy: in 2022, 95.8% of its energy came from wind, 4.1% from hydropower and 0.1% from solar energy.
Filling Pieces sneakers are sold in hundreds of stores worldwide, and now they are available at TONE. We offer the following models from the latest collections for women and men, all made in Portugal.
Avenue Mix
Where luxury meets versatility. Crafted from premium nappa leather and suede, this masterpiece features intricate stitching, embossed silver accents, and a unique Java outsole. With a perforated toe section and custom metal eyelets, it offers unparalleled comfort and style.
Colorway "Light Brown" for women
Sprinter Mix
Combines style and luxury in a comfortable sneaker design. Made with high-quality Top Grain leather, complemented by nappa and nubuck elements, it includes a sustainable vegan leather heel part and a mesh lining for enhanced breathability and comfort.
Colorways "Grey" for women and "Brown" for men
Oryon Cream
Dynamic athletic-inspired sneaker with mixed materials. Crafted from premium nubuck leather and durable Textile Mesh, it's a blend of style and performance.
Colorways "Sage" for women and unisex "Black"
Cruiser
Where luxury takes center stage with its layered panels, finely stitched curves, and a robust chunky outsole. Meticulously crafted from premium organic Nappa leather, this shoe showcases a perforated toe section, sophisticated embossed silver detailing, custom metal eyelets, and the innovation of our new Java outsole. Elevating style and comfort for every occasion.
Colorway "Black" for men
Cruiser Crumbs
Crafted from premium leather and textile mesh, this shoe boasts intricate detailing, including embossed silver accents and custom metal eyelets. The innovative Java outsole ensures comfort and style for every occasion.
Low Top Ghost Paneled
Filling Pieces’s origin story unfolds with the Low Top Ghost Paneled, evolving while staying true to its character. Crafted from premium nubuck leather, it's a timeless canvas for seasonal evolution.
Colorway "White/Black" for men
Mondo Suede
Minimalistic sneaker with premium leather uppers. Crafted from durable suede leather, it is a versatile choice for timeless style.
Colorway "All Grey" for men
Mondo 2.0 Ripple
Brand’s most minimalistic sneaker. Silky-smooth nubuck uppers sit upon our sleek Fundamental Ripple sole. A timeless classic updated with a contemporary suede heel tab and heat seam signature logo.
Colorway "Nubuck Navy" for men
Filling Pieces sneakers are now available from TONE’s online store at www.tonefootwear.com with the same day delivery in Dubai and a fast delivery to the GCC region and around the world.
