Eco-friendly, ethically produced and extremely stylish shoes are no longer what sustainable fashionistas need to dream of. These three fabulous and fiery shoe designers are creating responsibly made shoes in red-hot designs that rival those found on the catwalks of Paris and NYC. Each of these eco-friendly shoe lines features sustainable, high quality, handmade shoes that that are taking more than one step in the right direction.
Nicora Johns is a California-based, made in the USA, shoe label that was founded by shoemaker Stephanie Fryslie. Her current Kickstarter campaign features the debut collection of Nicora Johns footwear, all of which is handcrafted in the US through environmentally sound production practices. The label is a true advocate for bringing back the lost American craft of artisan shoemaking, and hopes to create jobs for the current and future US shoe industry. All of the materials used in Nicora Johns shoes are man-made leathers and suedes that are sustainably produced and locally sourced. Check out the super cute flats, heels and boots in affordable prices and support their Kickstarter campaign before it ends!
Founded in 2012, this Los Angeles-based design studio specializes in creating stunning footwear and accessories from handsome and sustainable materials. For designer Leila Tamar Kerze, this means making shoes that are entirely vegan, but just as badass as their animal-origin counterparts.
After shoe designing stints at BCBG Max Azria, Donald J Pliner, in Italy and Spain, Leila decided to take craftsmanship matters into her own hands and provide the world with responsibly made but uber stylish heels, boots and handbags. This was realized through Krže Studio’s debut collection (available in Fall 2013) which features high-quality synthetic leathers that are actually stronger than authentic leather, but have the same texture and appearance. The collection is contemporary, fashion forward and totally hot – perfect for pairing with this Fall’s top eco fashion outfits. Check out the debut collection and you’ll be sure to set your sights on a favorite pair.
Bhava is the brainchild of designers Francisca Pineda and Rushali A. Sanghani, whose collaboration came to life through the mutual desire to create footwear that is as in tune with our environment as our spirit. This resulted in a collection of timelessly elegant and charming flats, boots and sandals that are made from the highest quality hand-woven, organic, recycled and cruelty free materials.
Francisca works from New York managing a design team that works closely with Rushali’s Mumbai atelier, where both traditional and modern handcrafting techniques are employed. Bhava is setting a new standard for sustainable footwear production, offering gorgeous, well-made and versatile shoes that build sustainable infrastructures, improve working conditions and promote complete transparency.
Images: Nicora Johns, Krže Studio, Bhava
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