From the Philippines to the Universe: How Jojo Bragais delivers shoes to pageant queens worldwide

A Leap of Faith: Jojo Bragais’s Humble Beginnings

Young Filipino shoe designer Jojo Bragais’s journey started not with glamour, but with a leap of faith. Struggling with depression, he and his aunt stumbled upon an old shoe factory in Binangonan, Rizal. With help from his family, he bought the factory, and with a team of three, he launched his eponymous brand.

Bragais quickly made a name for himself as an innovator by growing his business with made-to-order commissions. He led the way in using high-heeled platforms in various nude shades, making sure his shoes complemented every skin tone.

Stepping onto the global stage

Bragais’s reputation quickly grew in the pageant world. He was part of Catriona Gray’s team when she won the Miss Universe crown in 2018. The brand’s greatest validation came in May 2021 when it partnered with the Miss Universe Organization for its 69th edition, showcasing the famous “Jehza” design, named after 2018 Bb. Pilipinas Supranational: Jehza Huelar.

Bragais views his brand not just as a maker of pageant shoes or high heels, but as a purveyor of Filipino creativity and artistry.

As the head of a brand that exports shoes to various countries like the Middle East and the United States, Bragais understands the importance of a reliable logistics partner.

World-class logistics for world-class shoes

Jojo Bragais shoes are a symbol of beauty, power, and confidence. With DHL Express, Bragais believes he can fully grow his business in the age of e-commerce.

“Shipping shoes to other countries is usually time-sensitive because they will be used for pageants or special events. Therefore, I need a logistics partner that will not only deliver my products to customers promptly and safely but also keep me updated on the different stages of the shipments,” he said.

Just as his creativity and artistry are two traits that distinguish him, Jojo believes he made the right choice with DHL Express. 

“As an SME, it is important that our logistics partner understands the nature of our business. DHL Express excels at this and treats us and our shipments with respect so that the shoes arrive at the destination in perfect condition,” said Bragais.

Inspiring SMEs to Go Global

Jojo Bragais’ success story is a powerful reminder that Filipino SMEs can thrive on the world stage. By combining creativity, quality, and smart logistics, even a local brand can become a global icon. His story shows that Filipino SMEs don’t need to stay local, they can dream bigger and reach global markets. 

DHL Express: Empowering Local Shoe Brands

For local shoe manufacturers aiming to expand their reach, DHL Express offers tailored logistics solutions that make global shipping simple and efficient. With expertise in handling fashion and footwear shipments, DHL ensures that products arrive on time and in pristine condition, whether it's a single pair for a customer in Europe or hundreds of pairs for an international event. Our end-to-end support, customs expertise, and real-time tracking give SMEs the confidence to scale beyond borders and compete globally.

Start your international journey by opening a business account today!