A Family Story
Beyond mere shoes, Jonak is above all a story of freedom, a playground for creativity, and a love for passing on knowledge.
THIS STORY BEGINS IN 1964,
In Paris, on Saint-Placide Street, when Marcel and Josette Nakam open their first shoe boutique. During that time, everything is possible—society, fashion, art, upheavals, revolution and the desire to believe in it all, it's the Sixties. In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, a vision emerges, one of well-done work, a taste for beauty, and sincerity.
Beside Marcel in the small boutique at number 26, his wife Josette stands out for her elegance and strength, and their son Joseph, who doesn't yet know that he will build, stone by stone, one of the leading names in French shoes. When Marcel merges their first names and the Nakam surname to create 'Jonak', he seals the destiny: Jonak is and will remain a family adventure.
After his father's passing, Joseph, the eldest of three brothers, takes over. He is visionary and discreet, creative and rigorous, avant-garde and realistic. For Jonak, he conceives a philosophy that balances the quality of craftsmanship, thoughtful simplicity, inspired creation, and fair prices.
He belongs to those humble personalities whose desire for success is driven only by the urge to challenge the existing with authentic values. Small victories follow, and in the 1990s, the brand soars with the opening of around thirty stores.
IN 2021, THE FAMILY ADVENTURE CONTINUES.
Marcel and Lisa, two of Joseph's four children, decide in 2012 to join the ship alongside their father, looking back on the hours spent in the symbolic backroom that marked the brand's growth during their childhood. They bring with them a digital breakthrough and a desire to infuse Jonak with the contemporaneity that has always shaped it. Respect for craftsmanship is combined with cutting-edge collaborations, the experiential store concept asserts itself, both online and internationally.
TODAY,
With a touch of humanity and transparency, the brand continues to fulfill its initial promise: an ode to aesthetic lines, distinctive codes, and a united clan encompassing family, collaborators, and workshops.
The Collections
Elaborated by an artistic team under the supervision of Joseph Nakam, special attention is given to the creation of collections.
The obsession with lines and proportions, the careful selection of materials, and the mastery of workshops are all factors that, as the brand grew, allowed Jonak to position itself as a talented artisan shoemaker.
Mainly located in Europe (Portugal, Spain, and Italy), the factories dedicated to creating Jonak shoes have unique expertise. The house entrusts them with the artisanal and traditional craftsmanship of the models to ensure excellent quality. From choosing the leather to meticulous finishing, the manufacturing process is scrupulously followed to offer models of remarkable quality.
