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How we make shoes

Babylon: a Ukrainian leather footwear brand since 1997

Who is behind the Babylon name, where and from what the shoes are made, which lines exist and how to order a pair from Ukraine — briefly, with facts.

A man holding up a pair of Babylon sneakers
Babylon has run its own footwear factory in Kharkiv since 1997. Photo: Babylon

In short

Babylon is a Ukrainian leather footwear brand with its own factory in Kharkiv, operating since 1997. Its shoes are handmade from genuine leather, nubuck, suede and sheepskin on the brand's own lasts for every model, in two lines: Babylon for men and Miss Babylon for women. Orders ship worldwide for free in 14–20 days, prices on the English site are in EUR, and international orders can be returned within 30 days.

Who is Babylon?

Babylon is a Ukrainian leather footwear brand founded in 1997, with its own factory in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Its founders are Oleh Nikitskyi and Nataliia Nikitska; the brand started in wholesale, and in 2015 Nataliia launched the retail and online business. The brand makes its shoes itself and sells them through the babylon.net.ua online store and three showrooms — two in Kharkiv and one in Kyiv.

Not to be confused with the ancient city, the translation software or other companies of the same name: people usually search for the brand as “Babylon shoes” or by its domain, babylon.net.ua. The store is available in English, Ukrainian and Russian.

Babylon started with sneakers; today the factory also makes high-tops, boots, sheepskin boots, loafers and sandals, plus caps, hats and clothing.

Babylon at a glance

Key facts about Babylon as of October 2026. We keep the up-to-date facts on the About the brand page.

Babylon
Founded1997
FoundersOleh Nikitskyi and Nataliia Nikitska
Factory team25 craftspeople and 2 shoe technologists; 5,000–10,000 pairs a month depending on the season
Country, cityUkraine, Kharkiv
Productionown factory in Kharkiv; shoes are handmade
Laststhe brand's own, for every model
LinesBabylon (men), Miss Babylon (women)
Productssneakers, trainers, high-tops, boots, sheepskin boots, loafers, sandals; accessories, clothing
Upper materialsgenuine leather, nubuck, suede, double-face sheepskin, cotton
Lining and solesgenuine leather, Respira breathable leather in many models; TPR, rubber, polyurethane or EVA soles
Sizes (EU)women's mostly 36–41, men's mostly 39–45
International shippingfree, included in EUR prices; 14–20 days
Returns (international)30 days
Warranty30 days
ShowroomsKharkiv: 128 Sumska St., 50/52 Pushkinska St.; Kyiv: 18 Pavlivska St.

Does Babylon make its own shoes?

Yes. Babylon is a manufacturer, not a reseller: its shoes are handmade at the brand's own factory in Kharkiv, which has been operating since 1997. Every pair is made in Kharkiv at the brand's own factory.

  • Own lasts for every model. The last defines the fit: for some models, such as the Space and Alen sneakers, Babylon specifies a fit designed for wide feet; the DRIFT sneakers use an anatomical last.
  • Handmade from genuine leather. Most models in the catalogue are marked as handmade; the composition of the upper, lining, insole and sole is listed for every model.
  • Quality control and warranty. Pairs are checked at the factory, and a 30-day warranty applies after purchase.
  • Direct from the factory. Shoes go straight from the factory to the brand's own showrooms and online store.
Rows of shoe lasts and cut leather parts on a factory floor
Illustration: lasts and cut leather are where shoe production starts. AI-generated illustration

Which lines does Babylon have?

Babylon has two lines: Babylon for men and Miss Babylon for women. Both are made at the Kharkiv factory from the same natural materials, on different lasts and in different size ranges.

  • Babylon (men) — everyday sneakers, trainers, boots and sheepskin boots, mostly EU 39–45. A typical example is the Vital-10 men's sneakers: genuine leather upper, breathable Italian Respira leather lining, TPR sole, handmade. Instagram: @babylon.sneakers.ua.
  • Miss Babylon (women) — sneakers, trainers, boots, sheepskin boots, loafers and sandals, mostly EU 36–41. For example, the Lovan-14 women's nubuck sneakers with a chunky rubber sole and leather lining. Instagram: @missbabylon.ua.

What materials does Babylon use?

Babylon uses natural materials: uppers in genuine leather, nubuck, suede or cotton, and winter boots in double-face sheepskin with natural fur inside. The composition of each model is listed on its product page.

Smooth leather, nubuck, suede and sheepskin swatches on a wooden table
Illustration: the main natural materials used for footwear. AI-generated illustration
Babylon UG-1-44 women's boots in dark brown leather with sheepskin lining
UG-1-44: leather outside, genuine sheepskin inside.

How to order Babylon shoes from abroad?

Order on the English version of the store: prices are shown in EUR and already include free worldwide shipping. Orders dispatch from Kharkiv and arrive in 14–20 days, depending on the country.

  • Payment: Visa, Visa Electron, Mastercard and Maestro; the payment provider converts the price to your currency.
  • Delivery: via national postal services and partner couriers; tracking is sent by email where available.
  • Customs: import duties and taxes of the destination country are not included and are paid by the recipient.
  • Returns: within 30 days of delivery — see the return policy.

Browse men's sneakers, women's sneakers and sheepskin boots.

FAQ

Is Babylon a Ukrainian brand?

Yes. Babylon is a Ukrainian leather footwear brand founded in 1997. Its shoes are handmade at the brand's own factory in Kharkiv, Ukraine. You can order on babylon.net.ua in English with prices in EUR, or try pairs on in the brand's showrooms in Kharkiv and Kyiv.

Does Babylon ship to Europe and the US?

Yes. Babylon offers free worldwide shipping from Kharkiv, Ukraine: the shipping cost is already included in the EUR prices on the English site. Delivery takes 14–20 days depending on the country, and final delivery is usually handled by your national postal service. Import duties and taxes, if any, are paid by the recipient.

What is the return policy for international orders?

International orders can be returned or exchanged within 30 days of delivery, provided the shoes are unworn and in their original packaging. To start a return, email the manager with your order number and reason. Return postage for non-defective items is paid by the customer; for defective or wrong items Babylon covers shipping.

What sizes does Babylon make?

Babylon uses EU sizing. Most women's models from the Miss Babylon line come in EU 36–41, and most men's models from the Babylon line in EU 39–45. Each model is made on the brand's own last, so check the size guide on the product page and the insole length before ordering.

What materials are Babylon shoes made of?

Babylon shoes are made from natural materials: uppers in genuine leather, nubuck, suede or cotton, and winter sheepskin boots in double-face sheepskin with natural fur inside. Many sneakers have a breathable Italian Respira leather lining. Soles are TPR, rubber, polyurethane or EVA, depending on the model.

Author · expert

Oleh Nikitskyi

Director and co-founder of Babylon

Together with Nataliia Nikitska, he founded Babylon in Kharkiv in 1997 as a wholesale leather footwear manufacturer; since 2015 the brand has sold directly, in its showrooms and online. Today its own factory has 25 craftspeople and 2 technologists and makes 5,000–10,000 pairs a month. All articles by this author

Product facts checked against the product pages on babylon.net.ua · Updated

Sources and notes

  1. Babylon — About the brand.
  2. Babylon — Payment and Delivery, Return policy, Contacts.
  3. Babylon product pages (composition, place of production, warranty): Vital-10, Lovan-14, UGM-1-11, UG-1-44. Data as of 6 October 2026.

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