Carel it is French shoe brand for modern women. It was founded in 1952 by Georges CAREL and his wife Rosa. They left their native city Grenoble in 1947 and few years later opened their first women's shoe boutique on Boulevard Saint-Michel in Paris. The district is boldly chosen for its proximity to the Sorbonne University, a young and carefree place, the success was immediate. As Georges was a son of a shoemaker, women's feet hold no secrets for him. He developed comfortable and elegant shoes that accompany women from morning until evening. It was a new era for a liberated youth, bright colors revealed women. The designer then favored the “trotter” heel (2,5 to 5 cm), more accessible for active women. A unique idea made Carel shoes recognizable among woman aspired to more freedom of movement. With the opening of the store on the Champs-Élysées, then the opening of the shoes department at Galeries Lafayette, Carel became the first shoe brand on display. In 1960s era of Mary Quant's miniskirts he produced Mary Janes, ankle boots and over-the-knee boots. In 1974, Carel developed the Marquis, a flat heel ballerina decorated with a bow with a soft aristocratic accent. It was a success – more than a million pairs were sold, one of the clients was Isabelle Hupert. In 1976, Carel created the Topo model, a mouse ballerina with playful mustaches – this model can still be found in stores today. In 1977 Carel set up its factory in Blois and began its advertising campaigns with photographer Jeanloup Sieff. Their collaboration lasted for 10 years. In 1984, Georges CAREL retired, while the new generation became involved in the development of the brand: Michèle BINEAU-CAREL completed the family team and Michel VIVIEN honed his skills at Carel. In 2010 they created one more artisanal star model with 3 straps – Kina, and Frédérique PICARD takes the keys of Carel from its founders. In 2020 Carel launched its line of shoes designed from alternative materials (Piñatex and Appleskin) – Carel Cares.