THE BRAND

"We have been a French shoe manufacturer since 1945. We pride ourselves on to ensure that our production remains in France, in our workshop located in La Romagne (49)."

THE STORY

FOUNDATIONS

HISTORICAL

1940

Prisoner during
of the Battle of France

1945

Starting in the house
family in Romagna

1970/
1980

Jacques and Louis-Marie
take up the torch

OUR STORY

A legacy of over 75 years. A shoemaker by trade, René Cléon was deployed to the front during the Second World War. He was taken prisoner in 1940 during the Battle of France.

He spent five years in captivity in a Stalag in Germany, where he continued to design small leather shoes in his free time. No doubt hoping to soon return to his homeland, the idea of starting his own shoemaking workshop gradually took shape.

At the end of the war in 1945, in the weeks following his return, he assembled a team of apprentices and purchased his first sewing and assembly machines. The story began in the family home in Romagna, specializing in Kneipp-stitched mixed-fabric garments; the business then grew, and a factory was built.

The sons Jacques and Louis-Marie took up the torch and diversified the business in the 1970s and 1980s.

THE BRAND

KLEMAN

1988

Official launch
KLEMAN

1990/
2000

Administrative equipment
(SNCF, Air France, customs,
firefighters, army…)

2000/
2010

Switch to a status
workwear/streetwear icon

RECOGNIZED EXPERTISE

In 1988, the KLEMAN brand (a contraction of Cléon Manufacture) was officially launched. Cléon then became a supplier to several French public administrations that trusted its expertise. The company won increasingly important tenders; first to supply footwear to the French National Railway Company (SNCF), then Air France, followed by contracts with customs, some fire departments, and even the French army.

Originally designed for professionals seeking safety, robustness, and quality, most of our iconic models meet the ISO EN-20347 standard, offering an additional guarantee thanks to their anti-slip properties, abrasion resistance, and the safety of the materials. Our products are manufactured exclusively in France, in our workshop in Anjou.

KLEMAN shoes have transcended fleeting trends by offering a raw and authentic unisex style. Our designs appeal to men and women seeking efficiency in a pure and uncompromising style. Our leather derby, the PADROR (formerly PADRE), and other boot and derby models have remained unchanged since the 1980s. A simple and functional work shoe, it now adorns a new generation of talented urbanites around the world. KLEMAN elevates the professional shoe to a true accessory of timeless workwear style.

KLEMAN

TODAY

2023

Shop opening
physical in Paris

KLEMAN Boutique
52 Rue du Temple, 75004 Paris