Skinless: 7 top brands of vegan shoes
Refuse to buy leather shoes can be for various reasons - for reasons of concern for both animals and the environment in general. Every year, 2.2 billion tons of substances used in tanning are thrown into the water, which damages the ecosystem near tanneries. The choice of models made of synthetic materials, unfortunately, does not solve the problem, since their production and even cleaning can cause no less harm.
Fortunately, today there are brands that fundamentally produce shoes from recycled synthetic or plant materials. So, in Russia they won the trust of Dr. Martens, Native and Veja - including 100% vegan models in their assortment. In our collection - seven more outstanding brands that do not use leather.
Text: Anna Eliseeva
Taylor + thomas
Jessica Taylor Mead and Elizabeth Thomas James met in a shoe manufacturing course at Los Angeles College. Mead has already received two studies in women's clothing design and has managed to work in the brands Joie, Current Elliott and Equipment. James also produced video, but decided to change the profession. The two future business partners have united the love of the environment and the understanding that fashion needs to be changed.
Entrepreneurs want to create a "new luxury" - environmentally friendly and produced without cruelty to animals. Taylor and Thomas point out that although the luxury segment is committed to sustainable development, you can only find eco-shoes with Stella McCartney. They launched their brand in 2018. The first autumn-winter collection includes shoes, ankle boots and babushi, in the future designers are planning to add clothes and accessories. The models are made of water-based non-toxic polyurethane, the insoles are castor (the plant from which castor oil is obtained), and the heels are made of wood certified by the international organization FSC (it guarantees the legality of cutting). In addition, the brand advocates fair pay, support for local artisans, and is also approved by PETA. Taylor + Thomas shoes can be found on the brand's website and in the online store Garmentory, prices start at $ 300.
Rombaut
When looking at Rombaut's futuristic shoes - silver sneakers, neon slippers and patent leather shoes - it seems that it cannot be “eco”. Nevertheless, the materials used in its creation, mainly vegetable - is the bark of the fig tree, potato starch and coconut fibers. Belgian designer Mats Rombo, whose brand is based in Paris, is committed to abandoning animal raw materials because it wants to protect the biodiversity of the planet. True, it is not without inclusions of synthetic materials: according to Rombo, they are necessary for the durability of shoes.
He has been working on accessories for men in Lanvin and Damir Doma. Founded in 2013, Rombo brought enough courage, extravagance and irony to be noticed by major retailers like Farfetch, KM20 in Moscow, Galeries Lafayette in Paris and Dover Street Market in London, New York and Los Angeles. For example, slippers from the latest collection are made as if from a lettuce leaf, and in a fictional TV store they are advertised by a man with a cabbage instead of a head.
In addition to the flip-flops, the brand's assortment includes sneakers with a bootleg of cowboy boots, sport sandals with laces and boots with sewn shoe covers. A good example of the fact that eco-friendly and 100% vegan things can be trendy. The lowest price is 280 euros.
Beyond skin
The British brand Beyond Skin appeared in 2001 - then, according to the founders, it was difficult to buy good non-leather shoes. It took two years only to search for a factory that could sew models from alternative materials. At first, couples were made to order, but over time, the range and demand for products increased. The high point of the brand came when Natalie Portman became her regular client. The actress appeared in Beyond Skin models at Golden Globe and Oscar ceremonies, and even in the movie “V means Vendetta.”
Now production is entirely in Spain. The founders admit that they use not the most eco-friendly material - cotton-based polyurethane - but it leaves a smaller mark than the usual PVC or natural leather. The insoles are made of used cardboard, the heels are made of polyurethane, and the sole is made of rubber resin, 70% of which has been recycled. On the Beyond Skin website you can find all kinds of shoes: classic shoes, high boots, sandals, ballet flats, ankle boots and sneakers. Prices range from 100 to 300 pounds.
Matt & nat
With its motto, the Canadian brand chose the setting “live beautifully”, meaning not unbridled consumption, but “humanity, creativity and positive.” Among the values of Matt & Nat is social responsibility and love of nature, therefore, the brand is experimenting with secondary materials - nylon, cardboard, rubber and cork - and does not use raw materials of animal origin. So, shoe pads are made from recycled plastic bottles, and even recycled bicycle tires can be found in collections. Matt & Nat is not able to completely abandon synthetic materials - polyurethane, which is less toxic than PVC, is being used.
Accessories and shoes of the brand are distinguished by conciseness, classic styles and pleasant colors. There are also fashionable items - for example, minimalist slippers of a pastel shade, ankle boots with an open heel and sneakers-socks. During sales, couples sell for about $ 20, 40 and 70 dollars. Matt & Nat can be found in multi-brand stores throughout Canada, USA, UK, Japan, Germany and Australia.
Rafa
It is difficult not to compare the American brand Rafa with its compatriot Mansur Gavriel - the same fine lines, laconic design, pleasant colors and smooth materials - with the only exception that the first is entirely vegan. The brand was founded in 2015 by blogger and photographer Taghrid Chaaban Zorob, who had previously worked in the fashion industry for about ten years - including American Apparel. Zorob decided to produce high-quality and beautiful shoes out of time in ethical and eco-friendly ways. In the production involved only twenty craftsmen who manually create a pair of faux suede, velvet and tapestry fabrics - as the brand notes, the materials are 80% recycled plastic.
Rafa will have charming kitten heel mules, classic high-heeled sandals, tight-fitting ankle boots and lace-up jackboots - all in soft pink, lavender, herbal and other natural shades. We also recommend to look at the stylish instagram brand. Some models of Rafa are presented in online stores Garmentory and Lisa Says Gah, prices range from 290 to 700 dollars.
Collection & Co
If you need classic long lace-up boots, simple ankle boots for every day or trendy slippers - but 100% vegan, you should look at the site of the British brand Collection & Сo. She experiments with materials using pineapple leaf fibers, hemp, and recycled plastic, and makes models in small factories in Portugal. The brand, created in 2016, received PETA approval. In addition to shoes, in the range of Collection & Сo you can find fluffy hats, laconic belts and rectangular bags reminiscent of vintage models. Prices start at £ 50.
Sydney brown
The Los Angeles-based brand Sydney Brown believes that human life, animals, and the preservation of the environment are equally valuable - and is committed to observing their safety. They advocate fair working conditions and comfort in clothing, for avoiding the use of animal raw materials, as well as minimizing hazardous substances, non-renewable resources and waste in production. The brand is approved by PETA: cork, organic cotton, polymers derived from grains and vegetable seeds, rubber, wood and recycled plastic bottles are used to create shoes. On the Sydney Brown website, you can find classic high-heeled boots, simple ankle boots made of kozhzam and velvet, clogs, sandals, laconic white sneakers and much more. During sales, prices drop to one hundred dollars. Sydney Brown is represented in stores throughout Japan (the stock list in this country already has thirty sales points), as well as in Belgium, France, Germany, the USA and many other countries.
PHOTO: Rombaut
