Thuna is Kuwait’s It-Girl Shoe Brand

Kuwaiti footwear brand THUNA, or ‘pair’ in Arabic, is named after both a set of shoes, as well as a best friend duo of 16 years—namely, co-founders Altaf Almudhayan and Sharifa Alsulaiti.

Established in 2019, THUNA’s sustainable, handmade designs range from mules to heels to boots to oxfords, with a through-line of comfort, quality, and versatility. Since THUNA was the first Arab finalist for the prestigious UK Drapers Footwear Awards in 2024 alongside international brands such as Birkenstock, Scholl, and Dr. Martens. They received another nomination from the awards in 2025. And then, in September, Fashion Trust Arabia named THUNA one of three finalists for the 2025 Accessories Prize.

It all started in an elevator, when Almudhayan’s shoes caught Alsulaiti’s eye. She had just returned from a trip to Greece, where she saw the leather work and craftsmanship behind shoemaking for the first time. 

“Oh my god, I love your shoes. Where did you get them from?” Alsulaiti gushed to her friend. Almudhayan didn’t know—some random boutique, she said. Then Alsulaiti proposed the idea: “Do you want to start a footwear brand?”

The two women had just quit their corporate jobs and were both looking for a new career that would allow them to express their creativity. Almudhayan said, “Yes.” The elevator door opened, and the rest is history.

“Both of us were craving to do something bigger than ourselves,” Almudhayan told SceneStyled. “It turned out to be shoes.”

Almudhayan and Alsulaiti hit the ground running. For about six months, they studied leather, shoe craftsmanship, and quality footwear. They visited workshops and manufacturers to pitch their ideas and to gain insight into the industry. The first THUNA design was a single sketch that received more than 50 ‘no’s’ and many laughs. 

The duo realised they needed a larger line. So, they got to work and launched their first collection in Ramadan.

“We used the traditional Bisht, a formal cover men wear over the dishdasha for special occasions, embroidered with gold thread,” Almudhayan explained. 

The co-founders wanted to translate their culture into footwear designs people hadn’t seen before, while still keeping them practical, modern, and wearable day-to-day.

“We promised ourselves if it didn’t work, we would stop and go back to our jobs. But the feedback showed there was demand, and people liked what we were offering,” Almudhayan recalled. “So we kept developing the brand further.”

THUNA designs for the Kuwaiti climate. The Layan oxford, for example, has a perforated front for ventilation and air circulation during the hot summers. Winters, on the other hand, are not too cold, so the co-founders created boots with mesh openings so they can be worn earlier in the season. 

“We also design for seasonalities, like Ramadan, when people dress up. We created capsule collections for that,” Alsulaiti said. “So our designs reflect both culture and functionality.”

THUNA also invests in sustainable materials. They understood the impact of the shoemaking industry on the environment from the beginning, and committed to working with certified tanneries from the Leather Working Group that ensures proper waste management, safe chemicals, fair pay, and quality standards.

“We don’t use exotic leathers. All leather we use is a byproduct, not from animals killed for shoes,” Alsulaiti said. “We also personally invest in the workshops we partner with, visiting workers, knowing their families, even attending weddings.” 

Alsulaiti explained that footwear is one of the hardest fashion items to produce given its functionality and construction limitations. “If shoes aren’t comfortable, you won’t wear them,” she explained. “Unlike a t-shirt, you can’t compromise. Creativity is very limited, so finding creativity within limitations was fun for us.”

For five years, Almudhayan and Alsulaiti primarily focused on shoes, but now they are stepping into new territory—handbags. Among them, leather tote bags, pouches, and bucket bags. “We see ourselves as a lifestyle brand, not just footwear,” Almudhayan said.

The co-founders see THUNA going international. They have been showcasing the brand to department store buyers in Paris for two seasons to enter the international market, and have received positive feedback. 

Throughout the process of establishing a business, Almudhayan and Alsulaiti feel lucky to have each other as friends and business partners. Their skills, they said, are complimentary. They don’t clash. “Launching a brand in a region without an established fashion industry requires support,” Almudhayan said, “and having that from your business partner and friend is the best combination.”