A list of the current, top sustainable shoe designers.

Beyond Skin, Brighton, U.K.: Ethical, organic, vegan and vegetarian. Made in Alicante, Spain.

Bourgeois Boheme, London, U.K.: Animal-friendly, vegan, ethically sourced faux leather and natural materials.

Calleen Cordero, Los Angeles, CA: Handmade by artisans, vegetable-tanned leather.

Cholesburys, England:Hand made in England, over 60% of components are recycled or up cycled, low Co2 production and new leather (the sandal insole) is vegetable tanned.

Coclico, New York, NY: Vegetable-tanned leather, ethically made by artisans in Spain.

Cri de Coeur, New York, NY: Vegan, recycled plastics, biodegradable low-VOC eco-PU, organic cotton, hemp, reclaimed wood, ethically made.

Earth Sandals, Waltham, MA: “The original wellness shoe.”

ECCO, Denmark: Innovative materials, devoted to sustainable manufacturing.

Elizabeth Katzman, Detroit, MI: Cruelty-free, vegan, member of 1% For the Planet, donated portion of sales to animal-rights organizations.

El Naturalista, Spain: Made by artisans, vegetable tanned leather, recycled and natural rubber outsoles, recycled insoles, manufactured following a strict Eco-Policy.

Form & Fauna, Mill Valley, CA: Biodegradable synthetic, organic cotton, hemp, vintage fabrics, scrap wood heels, water-based glues, handcrafted in the USA.

Kailia, Italy/United States: Vegetarian, cruelty-free, water-based glues, polyurethane soles, vegetable-dyed linings, organic linen/cotton, recycled materials, handmade in small European family owned factories.

Love is Mighty, New York, NY: Vegan, crafted by indigenous artisans.

Melissa, Brazil: Designer collaborations, natural, recyclable plastic, socially and environmentally responsible company.

Mohop, Chicago, Illinois: Made in the USA, sustainably sourced woods and components.

Naya, St. Louis: Vegetable-tanned leathers and linings, natural or recycled content fabrics, water-based cements, boxes made with 80% recycled paper pulp, soy-based inks and water-based glue.

Neuaura, Manhattan, NY: Made from quality and, whenever possible, sustainable materials. In addition, a portion of Neuaura’s production is made at a sustainable factory in Brazil and every year the brand donates 5% of their annual net proceeds to charities that preserve and protect the environment.

Nina Z, New York, NY: Uses wood grown according to EU standards so that every step taken supports forest regeneration, tanned hides harvested from European cows raised according to the strictest EU standards, rubber soles made from recycled rubber.

Novacas, New York: Animal-friendly, environmentally-friendly, and worker-friendly products, 100% PVC-free, ethically manufactured in Portugal at worker-friendly factories according to labor standards set forth by the European Union.

OAT Shoes, The Netherlands: Biodegradable, grows flowers, all-natural non-toxic materials.

Olsen Haus, New York, Miami: Vegan, recycled and natural materials.

Osborn, Brooklyn, New York: Each shoe is hand made and woven by artisans in Guatemala, recycled and natural materials.

Patagonia, Ventura, California: Vegan, recycled materials, bluesign Standard, Common Threads Initiative, Our Common Water Campaign

Rachel Comey, New York, NY: Ethically hand-made in Peru.

Swedish Hasbeens, Sweden: Made with sustainable materials like vegetable tanned chrome-free leathers, natural rubber soles and real cork.

Terraplana, New York, NY: Made from environmentally sustainable materials like recycled rubber, vegetable tanned leathers, and recycled fabrics, artisan techniques fused with modern technology.

Did we miss someone? Email amy@ecosalon.com with your tip!

ALSO CHECK OUT:
The Ultimate List of Conscious Fashion Designers (From A-Z)

The Ultimate List of Sustainable Handbag Designers (From A-Z)

Top Image: Calleen Cordero

The post The Ultimate List of Sustainable Shoe Designers (From A-Z) appeared first on EcoSalon.

This week, we celebrate the USA by highlighting some of the great design that is also made here on our home turf.

This week is all about celebrating the United States of America, and we do that by highlighting some of the great design that is done here on our home turf. Manufacturing in the U.S. creates jobs and cuts carbon emissions from shipping, so be a patriot and support your local designers. Here are a few of our favorites, on the neutral color scale.

Modaspia Gia Knit
We all need a cozy knit to keep us warm through the summer. This one is made to order on a vintage knitting machine in Modaspia’s studio – a charming 19th Century masonic temple in Placerville, CA – from bunny soft Peruvian baby alpaca. The rolled neck and hem and crocheted seams give is a bit of a bohemian touch – perfect for summer.
$210, Modaspia

Kirsten Muenster Small Box Chain Bracelet
This bracelet is made from oxidized brass or bronze and made in California. Kirsten Muenster starts with a raw spool of wire, which is hand spun into a coil that is then hand cut into individual links. These are then woven into chain, one by one. It’s an old school technique, but this piece is decidedly modern and will give any look that slight edge that we like.
$280, Kirsten Muenster Jewelry

Form & Fauna Havana Open-toe Pump
Form & Fauna creates beautiful eco footwear made from sustainable materials that are vegan, chic, and green. The Havana open-toe pump is made in the U.S., from hemp, second generation alder wood, water-based glue, open cell rubber lining for comfort, and a rubber outsole. The slight curve in the heel is a great unexpected detail that sets these apart from the crowd.
$289.90, Ethical Ocean

Stewart + Brown Xcellent Tank Maxi
This easy-breezy piece is inspired by casual chic California lifestyle around Ventura, California, where the company is based. A maxi dress is a great piece to have in your summer wardrobe and this one is made (in the U.S., of course) from 100% organic pima cotton. It has a raw edge hemline and criss-cross detailing in the front.
$148, Stewart + Brown

CurleeBikini Twist Halter One Piece Swimsuit
A good swimsuit is a must-have for summer and can also double as a top. This slight retro-inspired one-piece has a flattering fit with adjustable peek-a-boo side seams. CurleeBikini suits are made to order in the company’s studio – located in suburban Las Vegas – and you can choose the combinations of fabrics and trimmings to suit your style.
From $270, CurleeBikini

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Nine sizzling (sustainable) summer sandals to add to your warm weather wardrobe. Comfortable footwear that is anything but boring.

Sandals say summer more than any other shoe. A great pair of flat ones are a must-have in anyone’s warm weather wardrobe. This season, there’s a huge variety of sandals to choose from – metallic, nude, bright color, strappy, simple, feminine, masculine, patterned – you name it. They are all extremely comfortable and made in ways that make you tread lighter on the earth.

1. Rachel Comey Santos Slip-ins
These simple open toe slide sandals are perfect for a more simple, masculine outfit. Pair with skinny denim, simple ankle-length pants and a blazer for summer soirees with a more downtown vibe. Sustainably made in Peru from black perforated leather with caramel leather detail. Kiltie on upper strap with a wide stitched leather welt.
$391, Rachel Comey

2. ECCO Hill Move
ECCO has always been known to make durable shoes that are good for your feet. They used to not look so good, but that’s all changed now. These have an almost gold sheen to them and the sporty details are the perfect way to incorporate that trend into your summer wardrobe. Did I mention they are super comfy?
Approx. $120, ECCO

3. Neuaura Mansi Sandals
These casual yet elegant sandals by Neuaura are made with eco-friendly faux nubuck and washed canvas. The combination is a great contrast and the canvas almost looks like an animal print (trend alert!). Perfect to pair with those summer yellows. Made in an ethical factory in China.
$85, Neuaura

4. Coclico Rori Bunny Sandals
These are the perfect complement to those nude and white summer looks. Soft beige suede wraps around the ankle with a concealed velcro strap in this fresh, casual take on the gladiator sandal. Like all Coclico shoes, they are crafted with care with minimal environmental impact.
$259, Coclico

5. Madison Turquoise Faux Suede Sandals
This cute flat sandals from Beyond Skin – the British purveyor of vegan footwear – is new for summer and comes in an array of wearable shades. This one in mint green is our favorite. Featuring a slingback, peep toe, and padded insoles for extra comfort, they are handmade in Spain.
Approx. $137, Beyond Skin

6. Olsen Haus St.Croix
These elegant tie-around sandals are 100% vegan – made from microfiber suede and faux leather. This pretty combination of white and nude is totally right for summer, but these also come in black, if that’s more your thing. Pair with flowy summer dresses, florals or all-white.
$165, Olsen Haus

7. Rachel Comey Kiefer Sandals
Tie dye is a big trend for summer. These open toe sandals by Rachel Comey feature a bleached denim upper as well as mud leather straps and cotton laces. Pair with head-to-toe tie dye or let these be the accent of an otherwise simple outfit. Sustainably made in Peru.
$356, Rachel Comey

8. El Naturalista Sassi Sandals
Footwear by Spanish label El Naturalista is always made as natural as possible, and the company aims to bring attention to preservation and support to the environment on a global level. These stylish sandals feature a great crisscross pattern on the premium leather upper. The natural rubber outsoles are comfortable, durable and biodegrade much faster than synthetic materials.
$145, Zappos

9. Form & Fauna Garzon Flat
These beautiful bohemian criss-cross sandals by ethical shoe label Form & Fauna hit on two of summer’s trends – bright pink and animal print. Pair them with other brights for a color blocking look or use them to spice up a natural, nude look. Italian synthetic upper in pink faux reptile, patent burgundy, and crème.
Contact for price, Form & Fauna

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Sustainable style news from EcoSalon’s West Coast Fashion Correspondent.

Rebel Without A Pause Fashion’s indomitable “Godmother of Punk, ” Vivienne Westwood, celebrated the opening of her first flagship store in Los Angeles last week. The 10, 000 square foot space on Melrose Avenue makes available all of the Westwood labels including jewelry and accessories to discerning West Coast clients.  An unlikely eco-hero, Westwood has recently revealed she doesn’t wash her clothes very often and thinks that talcum powder makes the best deodorant, adding “I think it is a good thing to buy less and choose well – it’s good for the environment and to be fair it’s also good for me because my clothes are quite expensive.”  In these times of shifting patterns in fashion consumption and use, her down to earth approach reminds us of George Bernard Shaw’s line “Common sense is instinct. Enough of it is genius.”

Pick Up Stitches – The Thread show is coming to the Metreon in San Francisco this Sunday and promises to pretty-up the green scene this weekend.  Held in tandem with the Green Festival on Saturday, the show features the latest items from emerging eco-friendly designers such as COATT, Grammatique, Form & Fauna, and Free Hand Fashion.  If that’s not enough to get you down to SOMA from 11 a.m.– 6 p.m., attendees can enjoy new features like the DIY Lounge, Pop-Up Nail Salon, Live Blogger Style-Off Series, a THREAD Wellness Lounge and a Man Cave for the guys.

A League Of Our Own – With so much discussion about the relentless pace of the garment industry, it’s time to celebrate one fashion event that’s been going strong for 85 years. The Junior League of San Francisco is hosting their annual fashion show A Fashionable Legacy on Friday, April 8th at the Fairmont Hotel. The Bay Area’s most fashionable faces have their calendars annually marked and their dancing shoes ready for this glamorous evening. The event produced by the lovely Junior League ladies and long-time show partner, Macys and local company, Viasyn (who is offsetting the carbon impact this year), is one of the most successful fundraising events in San Francisco and has raised millions of dollars for various charities.

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