A new collaboration between Vans and Krochet Kids international features hand crocheted shoes that help lift women in Africa out of poverty.

Krochet Kids international and Vans have joined forces for a special summer collaboration. The mini collection features two styles of Vans’ popular Bixie shoe, adorned with colorful crochet panels.

Krochet Kids international is a non-profit organization that teaches women in developing nations how to crochet hats, scarves, bowties and more, and enrolls them in a comprehensive program that teaches them to rise above poverty. This is the first time the company has tried their hand at making shoes, which are all, like the beanies Krochet Kids are famous for, hand crocheted in Uganda. Each piece features the signature of the woman that made them, and you can go to Krochet Kids’ website to find out more about her.

Besides these shoes being perfect for summer, we love that the body is made with 100% natural hemp and canvas, includes a removable and washable foot bed (which makes the shoe last longer) and is made with water based inks and glues.

The shoes are available in select stores across the country and online at Nordstrom. Watch this video to learn more about the collaboration.

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African-inspired prints are perfect for summer. Mix them all together or make a statement with one bold piece.

African-inspired prints are a trend that’s been around for a while, but we think it deserves some attention since it’s so perfect for summer. Be daring and mix your prints, there’s no such thing as too much – anything goes with this trend. You can even wear all these picks together if you want to. Support sustainable development in Africa by ensuring that you buy pieces that are made by local artisans who make a fair living wage.

ASOS Africa Bra Top in Rhino Print
A quirkier take on the print trend, this handcrafted stretch bra top features a cute hand-drawn rhino print in poppy greens and oranges. The ASOS Africa collection looks to traditional East African fabrics and prints and reworks them with a modern sporty aesthetic in a punchy acid color palette. It’s produced in collaboration with several small communities in Africa, enabling them to earn a sustainable living through their craftsmanship.
$41, ASOS

Light Gives Heat Bold Moss Pearl Necklace
This necklace is the perfect complement to your African prints. It’s hand-crafted by the Suubi women in Uganda from beads made from recycled paper. By making and selling these beaded necklaces, these women are able to make a living wage, helping them create better lives for their families.
$20, Light Gives Heat

Della Treasure Hunt MacBook Case
Since you’re looking all stylish, your computer should too, right? Dress your MacBook up in this fun, protective case from Della. It’s 100% vegan, made from sustainable materials, lined with local Ghanaian fabric, and thinly padded for protection.
$38, Della

Doreen African Print Peplum Top
The ultimate convergence of two trends – print and peplum – this African print peplum top is one-of-a-kind and handmade in New York. Made from 100% cotton blue printed fabric with gold detailing it works really well with a pair of skinny jeans.
$35, Ann Jodes/Etsy

Wrapped Bangles by Mikuti
Mikuti‘s original banana bark bracelets have been all dressed up with local Tanzania wax fabric. Made using a unique wrapping technique, the vibrant colors of the fabric enhance the natural earth tones of the bark, creating gorgeous printed bangles that are surprisingly versatile. They come in stacks of three and should really be worn together.
$68, Mikuti

AFIA Staple Skirt in Neon
AFIA’s bright, colorful staple skirt is the perfect summer piece. It’s easy to dress up or down, but always makes a statement. It’s made from handpicked cotton wax fabric from the markets of Accra and hand-sewn by cooperatives in Ghana who are paid a fair wage for their craft.
$100, AFIA

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 Embrace your inner geek with these sustainable duds and accessories.

Most of us have come far enough in our lives to know that the nerds are really the cool ones. Embrace your own inner geek by stepping into fall wearing a hand-knit sweater vest, a recycled cotton backpack, high-waisted pleated pants, consciously chic glasses, fair-made booties and a friendship bracelet, while carrying a cleverly bookish iPad case. Smart is the new black.

Jamie Fair Isle Tank
This cute vest sports a colorful Fair Isle design and is hand knitted in 100% wool in Nepal.
approx. $120, peopletree.co.uk

Baggu Backpack
We’ve used their reusable shopping bags for years, why not upgrade to something a bit more interesting? This backpack with adjustable shoulder straps comes in nine different colors and is made from 100% recycled 16 oz. cotton duck.
$32, baggubag.com

Dace Kelp Pants
These pants feature classic, stylish nerd-attributes like a high waist, pleats and slouchy fit. All pieces by designer Dace Moore are made locally in Canada and adheres to socially responsible and environmentally sound manufacturing practices.
on sale for $88, futurestandard.com

DODOcase for iPad
DODOcase aims to help keep the art of book binding alive by adapting it to the world of iPads. It’s made locally in San Francisco using black Moroccan cloth with a solid bamboo core. It’ll look like you’re carrying a book, but the DODOcase is a clever little thing that also folds back as a stand for your iPad.
$59.95, dodocase.com

Begley frames from Warby Parker
This new take on a circular frame style first popular in the 1930s is not just the epitome of nerd-chic, Warby Parker also donates a pair of frames to someone in need. The company also works with non-profits to train low-income entrepreneurs to sell affordable glasses.
$95, warbyparker.com

Love Friendship Bracelet
What says eco-nerd more than swapping friendship bracelets with your sustainable friends? This one is by Etsy seller Marly D, but check out this simple tutorial on how you can make your own.
$4, etsy.com/shop/MarleeD

Osborn Red Suede Kinder Booties
These limited run booties are fairly hand-made by cobbler artisans using genuine Napa suede. To up the eco-factor, they also have laces made out of hand loomed cotton and a recycled tire heel cap.
$188, osborndesign.com

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