Who Is Mach & Mach? The Georgian Shoe House Behind the Double Bow

Mach & Mach is a Georgian shoe house founded in Tbilisi in 2012 by the sisters Nina and Gvantsa Macharashvili, and it is best known for crystal-trimmed heels such as the Double Bow Satin Pumps in White. The name comes from the family surname. Since 2020 the shoes have been made in Italy, at the brand’s own production hub in Parabiago, where artisans sculpt the heels and set each crystal by hand.

Who founded Mach & Mach?

Nina and Gvantsa Macharashvili started the label in Tbilisi in 2012, and the name comes from their family name. “Mach mach” is the shorthand most people type into a search bar, followed by “mach and mach” and “mach & mach”. All three lead to the same Georgian house, and the same crystal bows.

From the start the sisters built the brand around crystals. Not a scattering of sparkle on an otherwise plain pump, but crystals as the structure of the design: outlining a bow, forming a flower, filling a ring that sits over the toe. That is still the clearest way to recognise a pair across a room.

Today Mach & Mach is headquartered in both Tbilisi and Milan. It sells through its own online store and through a small group of select retailers.

Where are Mach & Mach shoes made?

In 2020 the brand set up production in Italy, at its own 4,000-square-metre hub in Parabiago. Parabiago sits in Lombardy’s shoemaking district, close to the brand’s Milan base. Owning the workshop matters for a label like this one, because the expensive part of a Mach & Mach shoe is the handwork: the heels are sculpted on site, and every crystal is set by hand.

Most styles are made in Italy with leather linings. Uppers are usually satin, lace, mesh, PVC, patent leather and nappa leather, and the catalogue notes the exact material for each pair. When you handle them, the satin pumps feel the most like evening wear, the nappa flats the most like something you would wear on a Tuesday.

The Mach & Mach lines, explained

The brand organises its shoes into named lines, so it helps to know the families before you shop.

Double Bow

Twin bows outlined in crystals: the house signature and the shoe most people mean when they search “mach and mach shoes”. It comes as pumps, mules, sandals and flats. The Double Bow Satin Pumps 110mm in Black are the classic version, in silk satin on a 110 mm heel with an adjustable ankle strap. Our guide to Mach & Mach Double Bow heels goes through every height.

Le Cadeau

Named for a wrapped gift, finished with a bow at the toe. The Le Cadeau Satin Slingbacks in White sit on a 65 mm heel, in satin with crystals.

Lotus Flower

Crystal jewels set in a flower motif, most often on mesh. The Lotus Flower Jewelled Mesh Ballerinas in Black are the easiest way in, on a 10 mm heel.

Crystal Flame and Diamond of Elizabeth

Crystal Flame is the sculpted, crystal-studded PVC mule, such as the Crystal Flame Round Toe Mules in Pink on a 95 mm heel. Diamond of Elizabeth is built around an oversized crystal ring at the toe: see the Diamond of Elizabeth Ring Toe Leather Mules in Silver, in calf leather. Both feature in our edit of crystal heels.

Audrey, Galaxy, Sirene and the rest

Audrey is the ballet flat with a crystal chain, as on the Audrey Satin Flats in Black. Galaxy uses sheer net and tulle, including the Galaxy Tulle Mules in Nude. Sirene has pearls stitched by hand, as on the Sirene Satin Sandals in White. Then there are Crystal Net, Puffy Heart, Orchid and Floating Pearl, plus Buckle Belt, which swaps crystals for vintage leather with buckles and eyelets.

Mach & Mach heels: what to buy first

“Mach and mach heels” is the brand’s biggest product search, and the honest answer to where to start depends on how often you will wear them.

• For one big night a year: a 110 mm Double Bow pump in satin. It photographs beautifully and is the version people recognise.
• For weddings and dinners: a 65 mm Le Cadeau slingback. You get the crystal bow without the height, and slingbacks are kinder on long evenings. Coveti’s designer slingback heels guide has more on the shape.
• For summer: a heeled mule, such as the Puffy Heart Patent Mules in Black on an 85 mm heel. Mules are the easiest heel to slip on for a long evening.
• For colour: the Orchid Silver Glitter Round Toe Sandals and the Floating Pearl Pink Satin Sandals both work with plain dresses.

If you are drawn to the bow above everything, Coveti’s broader guide to designer bow heels sets Mach & Mach against other houses that use the motif.

Beyond the heel: flats, boots and loafers

Plenty of people meet the brand through a flat. The Double Bow Leather Flats in Nude put the signature bow on soft nappa leather with a tapered toe, and they look right with jeans. The Crystal Net Flats in Pink have a fine net upper scattered with crystals and adjustable cross straps. We go through all of them in our Mach & Mach ballet flats guide.

For colder months, Buckle Belt is the surprise. The Buckle Belt Vintage Leather Loafers in Brown and the Buckle Belt Vintage Leather Ankle Boots in Brown are vintage calf leather, buckled and eyeletted. No crystals, but the same attention to finish.

How Mach & Mach compares

The brand most often mentioned alongside Mach & Mach is Amina Muaddi, since both are known for crystal-heavy evening shoes. We have written a full side-by-side in Amina Muaddi vs Mach & Mach, so we will keep it short here: Mach & Mach leans romantic, with bows, pearls and flowers, while Amina Muaddi is more architectural. If you like heels that read as small sculptures, our guide to sculptural heels is worth a look too. On Coveti you can also browse Alessandra Rich, another house with a strong line in crystal evening pieces.

Mach & Mach around the world

United States

Mach & Mach sizes in EU numbers, so convert first. US women’s sizes run roughly two to two and a half above UK, so an EU 38 is about a US 7.5 to 8. Our Mach & Mach size guide has the full table. For black tie, a satin Double Bow pump in black is the safe, correct choice.

United Kingdom

UK sizes sit about 33 below EU, so EU 38 is a UK 5. The brand’s lower Le Cadeau slingbacks suit Royal Ascot, where you will be standing on grass for hours, and the satin pumps suit a winter wedding.

The Gulf (UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar)

Gulf weddings and Eid evenings call for real shine, and this is where Crystal Flame mules and Diamond of Elizabeth styles make sense. A heeled mule in crystal and PVC is easy to slip on and off at home gatherings.

Europe

EU sizing is the native system, so buy your usual number. Half sizes are offered on most styles, which helps if you sit between two numbers. For evening, a black lace pump suits opera nights and city dinners alike.

Mach & Mach: common questions

Who owns Mach & Mach?

Mach & Mach was founded in 2012 by the sisters Nina and Gvantsa Macharashvili, and the name comes from their family surname. The brand is headquartered in Tbilisi and Milan.

Where is Mach & Mach from?

Mach & Mach is a Georgian brand, founded in Tbilisi. Since 2020 most of its shoes have been made in Italy, at its own production hub in Parabiago in Lombardy.

Are Mach & Mach shoes made in Italy?

Yes, most Mach & Mach styles are made in Italy with leather linings. The brand’s 4,000-square-metre hub in Parabiago is where artisans sculpt the heels and set each crystal by hand.

What is the Mach & Mach Double Bow?

The Double Bow is the Mach & Mach signature: twin bows outlined in crystals at the front of the shoe. It comes on pumps, mules, sandals and flats, from 10 mm flats up to 110 mm pumps.

What sizes does Mach & Mach make?

Mach & Mach makes most styles in EU 35 to 42, with half sizes on most of them. Each product lists its own range, so check the page before you choose.

What is Mach & Mach known for?

Mach & Mach is known for crystal-embellished heels and sculptural footwear, above all the Double Bow pump. Crystals are central to every line, from Le Cadeau slingbacks to Crystal Flame mules.