About Us
Ravi Seth and Ricardo Páramo at their favorite coffee shop in Basel, Switzerland.
Welcome to Ja Ja Genau—where style, sophistication, and sustainability meet. The name? It’s an everyday phrase you’ll hear often in Switzerland and Germany, meaning “yes, yes, exactly.” That’s the essence of our brand: the perfect answer to the modern man’s footwear needs. Founded by an expat American and a Spaniard in Basel, Ja Ja Genau is all about celebrating individuality, timeless style, and forward-thinking design for those who don’t settle for ordinary.
The Wool & Tweed Revolution
Our story begins in New York City where Ravi lived in sleek but unforgiving dress shoes. You know the type—glossy on the outside, torture chambers on the inside. Enter wool and tweed, the luxurious fabrics typically reserved for the finest jackets, reimagined for footwear that marries elegance with ease. After a few career adventures, Ravi relocated to Switzerland and connected with Ricardo, a seasoned Spanish industrial designer with a keen eye for product development. Their collaboration? Pure magic.
Shoes as Unique as You Are
Let’s get one thing straight: the status quo is dead. Black and brown dress shoes? Done. Sneakers masquerading as style? Passé. Ja Ja Genau shoes are created for men who refuse to blend in. We don’t just make shoes; we craft wearable statements. No two pairs are the same, each designed to reflect your unique personality. Why settle for anything less?
Timeless Design, Modern Edge
We didn’t invent the dress shoe—because perfection doesn’t need reinventing. Instead, we took one of the most iconic, enduring silhouettes and elevated them with luxe materials like wool and tweed. These shoes blend the best of both worlds: the refined shape of a classic oxford, wrapped in the unexpected sophistication of high-quality wool. The result? A modern man’s signature look—timeless with just the right touch of irreverence.
Artisanal Craftsmanship
Forget mass production. At Ja Ja Genau, every pair of shoes is handcrafted by master shoemakers in Spain, where old-world techniques meet contemporary design. These artisans assemble 35 meticulously sourced components for each shoe, using only the finest materials. The result is footwear that exudes luxury and stands the test of time—both in aesthetic and durability.
Style That Handles the Elements
We’ve all been there—what happens when style meets a storm? We absolutely thought about that. Our shoes are water-resistant and easy to maintain, thanks to a four-layer construction that blends performance with polish. A pure wool upper, water-resistant, reinforced underlayer, and soft interior lining come together to offer you the comfort and resilience of high-end leather with none of the drawbacks. Dirt, rain—no problem. Our shoes are easy to clean with a little soap and a soft brush. They are as durable as they are beautiful.
Sneaker Comfort, Dress Shoe Style
Why should comfort and style be mutually exclusive? They shouldn’t. With Ja Ja Genau, you get the best of both worlds. Our shoes weigh in at just 340 grams and feature a full-length footbed that offers the all-day comfort of your favorite sneakers—without sacrificing any style. Dress them up or down, wear them to events or an evening out with friends; these shoes are designed to go wherever you do.
Sustainable, Sophisticated
In an industry producing 25 billion shoes a year, each contributing significantly to global emissions, Ja Ja Genau is committed to doing things differently. We repurpose high-end wool jackets for the shoe uppers and employ reformulated scrap leather for the soles. The result is not just one-of-a-kind shoes but a conscious choice for a more sustainable future. This isn’t your average eco-friendly line; these are luxury shoes with integrity.
Ethically Made, Beautifully Designed
We take pride in our Spanish artisanship, and we’re committed to fair labor practices. Most shoes today are made in poor conditions with little regard for workers’ rights. At Ja Ja Genau, when you step into our shoes, you’re stepping into a product that supports ethical production—style with a conscience.
Ravi Seth & Ricardo Páramo
