10 Green Brands that are Changing the Shoe Game

Finding a 'Green' shoe brand that is vegan or sustainable or made of recycled materials is something that I have struggled with for over 10 years. I remember in 2006, first becoming aware of my carbon footprint, and the only shoes that I found I could make a difference by purchasing was the popular 'One for One' brand Tom's (which even though they help to give a pair to an individual in need, the material used and company as a whole is not transparent). I am constantly on the hunt for 'Green' shoes, especially heels or wedges, they honestly seem to be the most difficult to find. Lucky for me and all the 'Green' fashionistas out there, we are amidst the Green Fashion Movement, so expect great things from these 10 eco friendly shoe brands.

I complied a list of 10 designers that I foresee to be 'Game Changers' in the Green Shoe Industry. These green shoe brands I have selected include Vegan shoes, Leather & Fur shoes, and even shoes made of upcycled materials. Yes, you read right FUR. Brother Vellies uses fur and is indeed a sustainable shoe brand)

I hope this introduction to some of my favorite 'Green' shoe brands & designers helps you on the journey of compiling the perfect 'Green' wardrobe. And remember the best thing you can do to be Green, is to make the difference that matters to you (Check out Florum Fashion Magazine's Eco Criteria).

I would also love to know if anyone has a favorite 'Green' shoe designer that I have missed, please email me at bonjour@florumfaashion.com 

xoxo Noelle Lynne

1. 'Whiskey Dhara Sandal' by Brother Vellies   $781   www.BrotherVellies.com

• Brother Vellies is a sustainable shoe brand in EVERY way. They are a brand that relies heavily on local artisans within Africa to craft each shoe, their work forces are entirely local to each of their workshops. The Artisans who create each of their shoes receives fair wages and skills training from other experienced artisans. Brother Vellies helps by empowering people within Africa by giving them jobs instead of handouts, they believe that stable jobs are the best possible way to ensure long term growth and development on the continent of Africa (and we agree). The leather and the fur that is used in all of Brother Vellies shoes, is entirely byproduct from the edible food industry. Brother Vellies also uses recycled car tires as the soles on many of their sandals, while the brass on many of the sandals is hand cast by a brass artisan in Kenya who uses recycled brass padlocks and keys to create the brass buckles. The production process for their shoes is done by hand, ensuring that only a limited number of machines are required on premises. This keeps the energy consumption low (Low Carbon Footprint) and our employment
• We want to circle back to the fact that the leather and fur Brother Vellies uses is a byproduct! Florum understands that for most vegans, this is not the brand for you. Please know though that we me may not condone eating animals, however we live in a world where currently 56 billion animals are slaughtered each year for human consumption (That means 3,000 animals die every second around the world). By choosing a brand that makes use of a byproduct instead of creating its own byproduct, is something we fully support. Its a sad fact that almost all leather and fur comes from animals that were only killed only for their skin/fur, why these two industries have not been working side by side from the start? Well this is beyond us... Brother Vellies is an example of how you don't have to compromise 'luxury leather and fur' by being 'Green' you really can be  'Green & Chic' while still wearing leather & fur. 

2. 'Alexandre Herchcovitch Flower Boot' by Melissa   $250   www.ShopMelissa.com

• Since the original jelly shoe, this Brazilian brand 'Melissa' has been reinventing fashion footwear using plastic season after season for over 25 years. Plastic has allowed Melissa to translate texture and touch into their most sensual and sculptural forms.  The PVC used to make the shoes was actually developed by Melissa, its called 'Melflex Plastic,' it was developed for their shoes using 30% recycled materials, and every shoes can be 100% recycled. This flower boot was introduced during São Paulo Fashion Week designed in collaboration with Melissa Shoes by Brazilian fashion designer Alexandre Herchcovitch, and was instantly a hit. The feminine look of the Alexandre Herchcovitch boot, has both flowers and the tractor sole are the perfect contrast, it creates a gorgeous eco friendly bootie for any girl looking to add 5 inches of height with a unique platform. 

3. 'NO. 2025' by TEN & Co.   $190   www.Ten-and-Co.com

• Every pair of TEN & Co. shoes are cut from unique vintage and antique hand-woven Moroccan rugs and supple leathers.  TEN & Co. prides themselves in scouring rug auctions, souks, Marrakech flea markets and the Atlas mountains to find strong, colorful rugs and blankets that tell a story in each shoe.  Not only is the No. 2025 handmade,  however all of their shoes are handmade in small batches by a cobbler in Marrakech, Morocco. This brand combines classic shapes with the vibrant colors and patterns of North Africa. TEN & Co. is an impressive example of a company where sustainability is of the utmost importance. 

4. 'Tsagué' by Sawa   €139   www.SawaShoes.com

• Sawa defines itself as 'Fashion with an Activist Attitude,' all of their shoes are 100% sourced and manufactured in Ethiopia. By creating an entirely African-made product they are adding value to the continent and working towards changing misconceptions of Africa, by showcasing 'Made in Africa' as a statement of quality. The Tsagué model is a mid cut retro-basketball inspired sneaker, the design of the shoes offers a vintage attitude and the pattern of the sole reveals the map of Africa. Sawa shoes have brought over 150 jobs to Ethiopia, as the detailed production of these shoes often requires manual hand work. Sawa is in the sneaker game long term, and we should all expect to see them become a staple.

5. 'Karina Luna' by Fortress of Inca   $240 www.FortressOfInca.com

• Fortress of Inca's beautiful handcrafted shoes are Handmade in Peru, they channel both free-spirited and elegant lifestyle, while bringing the finest quality leather and other natural materials to each pair of shoes.  Each collection features designs that boast originality, intricate detailing, and comfort. Similar to Brother Vellies that we mentioned above, Fortress of Inca believes that until we reach a time that this organic waste from the meat industry is no longer produced, it as their ethical duty to utilize these hides and produce shoes as part of a sustainable planet. So if your going to wear leather, please check out this company as it doesn't get much better then using leather that is sustainable and a company that cares about the planet! We love the sky high Karina Luna, you can feel confident wearing these that your doing your part to help save the environment. 

6. 'The Gary' by Starch Slides   $134 www.StarchSlides.com

• Starch Slides are made from used, men's button-up shirts giving new life to textiles that would otherwise become waste. They are carefully crafted to stand the hustle of even the busiest NYC streets while being stylish and comfy.  Every pair of Starch Slides come in a raw, reusable, jute backpack, further eliminating the waste of a shoe box. This company is making this a greener world one slide at a time. Florum sees Starch Slides becoming a staple shoes brand in every womens  closet , as wardrobe staple because they are not only convenient and practical, they are cute. The Gary''s are perfect to pair with leggings and a sweatshirt or even a cute day dress.

7. 'Alice' by Beyond Skin £145 (on sale for £89) www.BeyondSkin.co.uk

• Beyond Skin was born in 2001 because it seemed impossible to be both stylish and cruelty free, the idea of Vegan shoes was something many had not yet thought of (Stella McCartney had also started designing under her name in 2001). The 'Alice' is the winning style from a competition for the animal welfare charity PETA, by Alice Lambert-Gorwyn. For every sale of this heel, 10% of profits go towards PETA. Beyond skin shoes are made from an Italian material called DINAMICA® which is made from 100% recycled PET ((1 yard of this Vegan suede is equivalent to 20 plastic bottles). Beyond Skin believes DINAMICA® is the most exciting discovery of late, as its the perfect suede alternative. Due to both its’ durability and sustainability, DINAMICA® is currently used in the auto industry by brands such as Mercedes, Land Rover and Jaguar, however Beyond Skin is the first footwear label to use this incredible eco-friendly suede. DINAMICA® (the whole process reduces CO2 emissions by 60%, compared to the regular process of making polyester from petroleum).

8. 'Esplar Low Top' by Veja   €199   www.Veja-Store.com

• Veja creates a supply chain that respects both humans and the environment, they work directly with small Brazilian producers, who are organized into cooperatives of organic cotton and wild rubber from the Amazon. The Veja Esplar Low Top in Tilapia leather is a sneaker that screams elegance, Tilapia is a Brazilian fish leather tanned exclusively with vegetables. The inner sole in organic cotton & expensed rubber, while the sole is made of wild rubber from Amazonian rubber (the Amazon is the only place on earth where rubber trees grow in the wild). Veja not only creates sneakers for both men, women, and kids, however they also create some fabulous high quality bags and accessories as well.

9. 'Alden' by Bhava   $249  www.BhavaStudio.com

• Bhava is an innovative women's footwear brand founded by designer Francisca Pineda. Only three years young, Bhava has continued to set a new standard in footwear design by sourcing the highest quality artisan, organic, recycled and cruelty free components.  The Bhava aesthetic represents timeless elegance with a dose of ingénue charm. The Alden is a Fall to Spring style that is the perfect height for all day wear (only 2"). These shoes are manufactured in Alicante, Spain where shoes are still being handmade by generations of artisans. The design is in the details, from the choice of upper, and the soft eco-suede lining (all imported from Italy), to the European hardware and our exclusive custom solid wood heels.  Bhava's Italian vegan leathers do not contain aromatic amines, PCP, formaldehyde, PVC, phthalates, azo-dyes, or chrome. 

10. 'Mollie Smoke Heel' by Nisolo   $248   www.Nisolo.com

• Nisolo means 'Not Alone,' and. as consumers, we are not alone in the world. Nisolo recognizes that our small choices have a big impact somewhere else. As producers, we are not alone. Nisolo is a team of makers, doers, and storytellers working together to facilitate a healthy connection between consumers and producers in the global marketplace. At Nisolo, they view their social impact in two ways: game changing and life changing. The Mollie Smoke Heel is handcrafted from sustainably sourced leather in Peru. When a shoe is handcrafted, you can expect any shoe you purchase to last a lifetime with great care.