Sustainability

‘Reach’ - made from grey/black E.leather with veg tan lining

A minimum of seven different components are necessary to manufacture a pair of shoes. Aside from the upper material, lining and sole, many components are concealed within the shoe. Conventional inner reinforcements include steel shanks, thermoplastic stiffener and toe puff, insole, filler, backer, sole materials, heel materials and glue. I systematically examined each footwear component and aimed to replace with a sustainable alternative. I intend to continue to research and source sustainable materials and use these, where possible, without compromising the strength or structure of the shoe.

Four styles in the collection were made from a new material; E.leather, suggested to revolutionise the footwear industry. E.leather is produced from offcuts from wetblue (30% of which would normally go to landfill) broken down to original leather fibres then impregnated with non chemical satalon. The main eco advantage being less water is used in production than conventional tanned leather. The remainder of the ‘renew’ collection features recycled luggage, vintage leather and buttons.