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

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Our top 10 vegan and sustainable shoes for getting your groove on this holiday season.

Are we mad? Torturing you with images of holiday party shoes just as you sit down for a Thanksgiving gorge-a-thon? Excuse us for our optimism, but we think picking out a pair of party pumps for this year’s holiday soirees might be the very best thing to cure your post-meal stupor. From color blocking to shimmering chevron stripes, leopard spot prints to richly hued velvet heels, you’ll be sustainably hitting every trend this year right under that mistletoe.

Here are our top 10 best party shoes that are vegan or otherwise sustainably made.

Stella McCartney High-Vamp Velvet Pump In Teal – A richly saturated teal velvet upper juxtaposed with a flashy golden sole will have you singing D.I.S.C.O. whereever you go this holiday season.

Melissa Shoes The Joy + Alexandre Herchcovitch – A product of the stellar collaboration between Melissa and Brazilian fashion designer Alexandre Herchovitch, these two-tone plastic oxfords with wingtip styling practically guarantees some late night Gene Kelly-esque toe tapping.

Jeffrey Campbell Martini Flat – For those serious booty shakers, a studded flat gives this fall’s trending slipper shape some serious edge.

Stella McCartney Acrylic Heel Color Block sandal – Forward thinking yet elegant, this Stella McCartney show stopper with translucent heel adds a blast of color to every LBD.

Olsen Haus Grace Shoe in Gold/Silver – The timeless zigzag pattern is a perfect match for a 60s style shift dress. The neutral tones in this shoe can be paired with an array of nightlife colors making this shoe a holiday essential for years to come.

Olsen Haus Angel Pump in Leopard/Red – Vegans rejoiced when this sexy shoe came on the market. The leopard print shoe is bang-on trend but yet so classic. The 4” heel is balanced with a hidden front platform to provide extra height and stability.

Beyond Skin Jolie – Silver glittery snakeskin give this black evening shoe just enough extra glitz amongst the sophisticated black base color. An ankle strap provides support and comfort to last on your feet all night long.

Melissa Shoes Electric in Gold – A remarkably comfortable heel that looks great with skinny jeans and party dresses infused with Melissa’s signature bubblegum scent so your tootsies will always smell great. Now that’s a party trick not many can pull off.

Beyond Skin Josie – A golden snakeskin sandal with a retro block heel looks great with tights or bare legs.

Coclico Coleridge Redbud – What could be more seasonal than deep plum suede shoe this year? With draping across the top of the foot and a zipper closure, these shoes also feature extra comfy padding.

The post Our Top 10 Best Eco Party Shoes appeared first on EcoSalon.

Shopping is big in Sao Paulo. With a population of almost twenty million, it’s Brazil’s largest city. It is said when Paulistanos aren’t working they’re clubbing, and when they’re not clubbing they’re shopping at a samba-driven pace.

And no wonder. My time spent shopping along Rua Oscar Freire in the chic Jardin’s neighborhood (it’s among the ten most luxurious street’s in the world), was a heady experience. Not the least because my visit coincided with Sao Paulo’s Fashion Night Out and an appearance by super-supermodel, Gisele Bündchen. Brazilian bodaciousness aside (one of my purchases included a kiss from a beautiful sales assistant upon the success of my credit card approval), sustainable fashion and beauty appear firmly entrenched in the consumer mindset here.

I’ve discovered cool cutting-edge design aesthetics from Brazilian designer brand Osklen, jeweler Mana Bernardes, and the booming natural beauty brand, Natura – all renowned for their smart, eco-friendly stance.

The atrium entrance’s artwork illustrates Jason Wu’s recent lace work detailing.

Leather goods are the typical recommendation for wares to bring back from Sao Paulo, but carting home dead animal skins doesn’t hold much appeal for me. What I am interested in packing in my suitcase home is a pair of the hip, brightly colored jelly shoes that can be found at the impressive Galeria Melissa.

The flagship Melissa shoe store has the world’s largest selection of the high design footwear made from a recyclable and non-toxic type of plastic. The Brazilian shoemaker also practices fair trade and zero waste in production.

Are plastic shoes the future of footwear? 

There’s something universally appealing about the tactile, pop art-esque shoes that inspires passion from collectors and celebrities like Pamela Anderson, Leona Lewis and both Katies (Perry and Holmes). It’s unlikely that these shoes are ever thrown in the recycling bin (even though you could).

Metamorphosis: Changing our idea of what shoes can be.

Seeing the entire collection together at once is a true visual feast. A dizzying array of gladiator sandals, flats, platform and four inch heels adorned with plastic hearts, butterfly wings and feathers are on display alongside full lines from collaborations with acclaimed designers such as the Campana Brothers, Karim Rashid and Vivienne Westwood.

The entire collection of Vivienne Westwood’s collaboration with Melissa Shoes.

The heart-quickening, near psychedelic shopping experience is aided muito by the futuristic looking bubble-shaped stands and the rave-enhanced interior and atrium artwork, which is updated with new graphics from guest artists every three months. Not to mention being helped along by the overwhelmingly intoxicating aroma of tutti-frutti, which the shoes are known for.

Chic, cruelty-free (and I can attest), incredibly comfortable shoes – what more can you ask for? 

The  psychedelic retail experience is aided by futuristic looking bubble-shaped stands.

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For a pair of jellies, these shoes sure have style.

Made from a recycled plastic, these hypo-allergenic heels from Brazil’s Melissa shoes smell like bubble gum (not kidding) and are completely wearable for all four seasons (just add tights for cooler weather).

Durable, trendy, and very reasonably priced, Melissa shoes exceed fair trade benchmarks, use recycled materials to make their shoes, and recycle 99.9% of waste and water used in the production process.

Their patented MELFLEX plastic is specially crafted to conform to your foot for the ultimate in comfort.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

The post Lustables: Melissa Platform Sandals appeared first on EcoSalon.

Melissa’s Gladiator Sandals help winter worn feet transition into spring.

These Liberty Gladiator Sandals in clear yellow are a fun transition for trapped winter feet yet and just a little more than a flip flop for those still-cool spring days ($110). Treat your toes to a spring citrus manicure and be on your way for city or country-side frolics.

Look for Lustables daily at EcoSalon. 100% gorgeous green finds, and never sponsored. Submit your favorite to tips@ecosalon.com

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Effortlessly sexy? A thrown together look that can go from day to night?

Tobi’s online eco-boutique has an “Eco-Tobi” which offers lots of looks to choose from, with a healthy amount of sizes left. I love this Alternative Apparel silk and modal cardigan for its sheerness and earthly hue. The only thing I would suggest is to leave the last couple buttons open on the bottom of the cardigan, so you don’t have pulling like in this photo. On sale for $37.

Hard to pull off sheer without something of similar weight underneath. This tissue weight Alternative Apparel racerback tank is perfect and equally slouchy as the cardigan. Not on sale but only $25.

There is a point with slouchiness where you need structure. Though you may not be a fan of skinny jeans or leggings, a pair of these 7 For All Mankind jeans is a nice combo of the two into a jegging of the sort. The length of the cardigan hides your behind if you’re worried about tight jeans (in the wrong places). On sale for $84.

These Melissa wedges lengthen your legs in those skinny jeans and add a lustre with their recycled plastic and woven toe area, bringing your downtown vibe just a little more street cred.

We’ve been going pretty safe up until now, and safe can mean boring if you’re not careful. This is fine if you’re out in the mountains picking apples (wearing worn in flats with this outfit mind you) but let’s make pretend you’re not. This Matt and Nat Studded Envelope Bag is your secret spice. Wear it with or without the chain strap. On sale for $102.

Maybe we should have started with these earrings from DLC Brooklyn. From these simple gold chains drips slouch sexiness from the start, passing into sheer, then structured, studded and shiny. You have lengthened yourself and I bet, are still really comfortable.

I’m imagining you with a windswept up-do like you just got out of bed, soft pink lips and rosy cheeks. I can’t stop looking at you and neither will the handsome men who pass.

Go get em girl.

The post Stylish Steals: Slouchy Sexy appeared first on EcoSalon.

Summer is a hard time for shoes. Why? Well, because of the heat, all you want to wear are sandals showing off your pretty toes but what if your toes aren’t pretty?

These Coral Flats from Brazilian brand Melissa Shoes, are your perfect answer to non-painted or lackluster nails hiding behind a coral front.

Sandal meets flat? Yes my sister.

Hypo-allergenic, recycled plastic, smells like bubble gum (not kidding) and completely cute for at least three seasons. Sold.

The post Sandal Meets Flat appeared first on EcoSalon.

Nude Shoes have been dotting the fashion horizon for awhile now. Long touted for their leg elongating abilities, it’s a current footwear trend I must confess to being a little slow on the uptake on – My “wacky getups” (Yes – I do take that as a compliment) seem to demand a substantial shoe to anchor down all the hijinx above. I’ve tried nude shoes on here and there but always felt a little, well, naked.

But like skinny-dipping, sooner rather than later it’s better to just take the plunge. And here’s why: Not only will nude shoes serve as the perfect foundation for the pretty prints and florals currently decorating summer’s minis and shorts, they’ll work for all the looks coming down the line next season and beyond.

Fall is all about structured minimalism – call it the Celine effect. Phoebe Philo’s influential collection set the tone for fall’s pared down preciseness, a discipline that includes color. Think architectural and well-cut in camel, beiges, khakis, and add in more camel for good measure. Serving as a calm focus to all this constructural refinement, the nude shoe is a clarifying complement.

The recent resort 2011 collections – historically considered vacation clothes for those who could escape chilly winters for tropical climes, now seen as uncomplicated and wearable early spring fashions – were filled with lace and ladylike sixties references, the nude shoe determining the provenance of many of the silhouettes. See Stella McCartney’s collection for the most Shrimpton-esque interpretation of resort dressing.

And one more reason to go bare: Fashion’s ongoing love affair with all things gray. Whether its heather, steel, or charcoal; gray is a color that’s not going anywhere for a very long time. Nude pairs so nicely together – it’s my favorite new color combo. You try it. It’s hue heaven or, to be chromatically correct, its shade Shangri-la!

My ethical picks for nude shoes:

1. Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Melissa Lady Dragon Ball peep toe heels.

2. Olsen Haus’ Balance 2 peep-toe pump with cork platform and heel.

3. Olsen Haus’ Atlantis disco heel in copper with grey faux suede.

4. Cri de Coeur’s Nude Emma elastic wedge sandal.

5. Vivienne Westwood Anglomania + Melissa 3 strap flat.

6. Coclico’s Ndakinna Mink clog bootie with spat-inspired draping.

7. Coclico’s Nymph Smoke peep-toe wedge sandal.

The post Don’t You Step on My Nude Shade Shoes appeared first on EcoSalon.

A few years ago, I was trying on a pair of Melissa shoes when the shop owner, a good friend, said my feet were too wide for the shoe.

“All that foot cleavage isn’t good,” she said, as I stared down and looked at the sides of my foot over-spilling the non-existent sides of the shoe and onto the wood floor below. This fairly traumatic life event forced me to recognize this seasonal issue, which I now spot wherever I go.

The popular definition of foot cleavage is when your toes are showing but in cases like mine – we add width, (especially when there are no sides to a shoe), the elements, and our gams well up to new proportions as if they’d undergone an augmentation.

How to avoid it? Meghan Cleary, (or Miss Meghan), shoe expert, author of The Perfect Fit: What Your Shoes Say About You and creator of Miss Meghan® footwear, says an easy way to avoid foot cleavage is to look for wider straps.

“Foot cleavage is definitely a very subjective topic as well – some people love it and think its super sexy to show the tops of toes, some people think it’s gross. So you have to determine what’s good for you and then shop with an eye toward silhouettes that will give you more support around the foot – especially in the front.”

She also suggests looking for shoes that “hold” you in at the sides with straps or a higher toe box, especially for wider feet.

She points out her own vegan crossover wedge as an example.

Meghan Cleary Crossover Wedge

Here are some of my personal, anti-foot cleavage favorites that have nice toe beds and thicker straps:

Neuaura Kino

Cri Hannah

OlsenHaus Love

Naya Gladiator

Image: LaurenV.

The post The Beige Report Addresses Oozing Foot Cleavage appeared first on EcoSalon.

Just as there are political and religious divisions, there are opposing groups in the world of sustainability. Each believes they are more logical and justified than the other. I experienced an unexpectedly unpleasant exchange recently that made this reality plain as day. On the phone with a friend and animal rights activist, I hazarded a casual question: “Vegan isn’t really sustainable, is it?”

Her response was chilly to say the least.

And here I thought I was simply stating what we all know. Perhaps foolishly, I went on to share that I’d had a revelation just that morning that vegan fashion, comprised of mostly man-made materials, couldn’t possibly be eco – at least not exclusively so. How many of these vegan companies truly pay attention to good earth stewardship and use non-petroleum based materials, organic cottons and non-toxic dyes?

Save Bessie, great, but pollute groundwater, soil, air, all while supporting plastic manufacturing?

Maybe we environmental folks have more factions in the camp than we realize.

I’d like to ask in all earnestness, if you’re passionately vegan, why would you want to wear shoes that simulate the skins of animals? I understand the leather industry is a large contributor to climate change and water supply contamination, but similarly, these man-made materials are often harming the planet.

I started researching the most frequently used vegan materials to find out just how often.

Naugahyde: A brand name of pleather that combines textiles and polyurethane.

Lorica: A fabric made from microscopic animal shells or casings (external), coated with polyurethane.

Suedette: Made from cotton or rayon.

Ultrasuede: Combines a plastic polymer with micro fibers to create a durable, washable, breathable, lightweight fabric.

Birkiflor: An oil derivative used to make synthetic shoe uppers for Birkenstock. It is a combination of acrylic and polymer felt fibers that create a leather-like finish that is waterproof and breathable.

Vegetan: Available as Vegetan Active, Bucky and Micro, it is a combination of polyurethane and cotton.

Not all vegan shoes are made of synthetic leather. Other natural and organic alternatives are available, like hemp, cork, wood and linen.

Some of these vegan shoe and accessory lines have great missions and are becoming more eco-conscious but certainly they are few and far between. Here are four that stand out:

TOMS: Offers a vegan line made from a blend of recycled products, faux suede insoles and rubber outsoles. Not to mention the “One For One” campaign that gives a pair of shoes to a needy child in a developing country.

Neuaura: Recently awarded a Green Seal award for manufacturing based on compliance with Brazil’s environmental laws. This includes recycling and disposing all the material waste generated from the factory at a recycling facility located in the vicinity, using water-based adhesives and less toxic solvents and chemicals and advocating recycling and protection/preservation of endangered animals to their surrounding communities.

Olsen Haus: This company uses alternative, sustainable and renewable plant-based and man-made, non-animal materials such as ultra suede, organic cotton, canvas, nylon, velvet, linen, cork and synthetic eco-lining. 100% vegan: no leather, fur, wool or silk is ever used. Soles are a composite of rubber, glues are rubber-based and vegan and paint is vegan and non-toxic.

MELISSA: The eponymous shoe house has developed a recyclable plastic called Melflex that has flexibility for comfort. Their patented, hypo-allergenic PVC shoes are totally cruelty free and devoid of animal products. The Brazilian-based company recycles 99.9% of factory water and waste and they also go the distance by recycling overstock styles into next season’s collection.

We all have to consider our camps. Is your number one priority saving animals from cruelty or is it supporting sustainable fiber production? Maybe you are a protector of watersheds? How about manufacturing solely in the U.S.? And how do we do it all?

Image: JelleS’

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