Eight sustainably-made shoes that combine fashion and ethics

By Ellen Bird
03rd Oct 2018

Eight sustainably-made shoes that combine fashion and ethics

Sustainable fashion is having a breakthrough. We’re seeing faux-fur coats, organic cotton, linen jumpsuits and woven knitwear on street-style superstars and high-street retailers, such as Zara, Mango and H&M are joining in too. Some of fashion’s greatest designers are also addressing issues of sustainability, with London Fashion Week SS19 being the first season entirely fur-free. Yet, in today’s retail landscape, making ethical shopping decisions still isn’t easy. While fashion designers emphasise sustainable clothing, eco-friendly shoes have either been completely forgotten about or are simply ignored. I don’t really understand why, isn’t leather mostly worn on our feet?

Let me tell you, sussing out non-leather shoes can be tricky. Faux-leather and fabric shoes are definitely out there, but there’s still a major gap in the market. What can be difficult is finding a pair that’s good quality and stylish too. But don’t worry, I’ve done the dirty work for you and found some gorgeous street-style options. Stella McCartney, of course, leads the pack. From high-fashion and sustainably-made, to exceptional style, she’s built her entire businesses on eco-friendly materials and vegan collections. Lesser-known designers are also following suit. French designer, Amelie Pichard has collaborated with vegan campaigner, Pamela Anderson, bringing raunchy, fun and fabulous shoes to our streets. London-based brand, Bourgeois Boheme, designs beautiful hand-crafted shoes that are both contemporary and modern and for a more quirky finish, Beyond Skin’s classic suede boots are perfect for autumn.

When you’re living a cruelty-free lifestyle, this is how you master sustainable fashion without compromising on style. Check out my edit on shoe brands that combine both fashion and ethics. Go on, take a walk on the eco-side.