Inch2
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Footwear, Fashion |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Founder | Olga Peterson, Edward Peterson |
| Headquarters | Riga , Latvia |
| Products | Handcrafted shoes, handbags |
| Website | inch2 |
Inch2 (presented as I N C H 2 and pronounced as Inch two) is a footwear label established in 2014 by Olga and Edward Peterson, headquartered in Riga, Latvia. Inch2 focuses on handcrafted shoes that blend masculine aesthetics for both women's and men's collections.
Origins
The Latvian duo Olga and Edward Peterson are the founders of Inch2. Olga Peterson, an architect educated at Middlesex University in London, has contributed to various fashion publications such as Zrivnutro and Pastaiga. Edward Peterson's expertise lies in online marketing.
In September 2014, they launched Animo Forti ltd., the company responsible for managing Inch2 from the very beginning.
Brand development and expansion
While the brand officially debuted in 2014, the idea of creating handmade shoes existed beforehand. Utilizing their combined skills, the Petersons integrated e-commerce solutions with distinctive shoe design, initially offering five styles. Early production was carried out in a modest workshop in Riga, producing only a few pairs each day.
In March 2015, Olga Peterson earned the Fashion Debut of the Year award at Riga Fashion Week, presented by the Baltic Fashion Federation. To accommodate increasing demand and improve craftsmanship, manufacturing shifted from Latvia to Portuguese partners experienced with luxury brands. This move facilitated the expansion into multiple lines for both women and men, along with handbag collections.
In January 2018, Inch2 joined forces with Georgian vocalist Keti Topuria and her fashion label KETIone during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Russia. That same year, the brand achieved over one million euros in online sales during Black Friday promotions. In June 2019, Inch2 collaborated with Pauline Ducruet from Monaco’s royal family and her label Alter at Paris Men’s Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2020.
Design and product range
Inch2’s footwear merges masculine charm with feminine sophistication, catering to women who prefer masculine styles and men who appreciate meticulous design. The brand prioritizes three core values: style, comfort, and superior quality. Their shoes employ traditional materials and artisanal techniques combined with contemporary aesthetics, distinctive accents, and a varied color palette. Premium Italian and Portuguese leather forms the foundation of their high-quality collections.
Awards and recognitions
- Recipient of Debut of the Year in Fashion at Riga Fashion Week (March 2015)
- Twice nominated for Best Digital Marketing at Riga Fashion Week (March 2018 and March 2019)
Controversy
- The Consumer Rights Protection Center (CRPC) imposed a €10,000 fine on Latvian firm Animo Forti, which operates www.inch2.com, citing breaches of consumer rights and ordering an end to unfair commercial practices.
- By 2019, CRPC had recorded 118 complaints—including from customers across EU member states—totaling roughly €21,000 in unresolved refunds related to undelivered orders and returns under withdrawal rights.