SUSTAINABILITY
Fashion Industry To Turn Green With Launch Of Vegan Footwear
The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to pollutants entering the atmosphere and soil. While consumerism could be the main culprit, the wholesale manufacturing of clothes, shoes, and leather has never been eco-friendly. However, the fashion industry has begun to understand its impact on the environment. What’s more, it has taken initiatives to offer sustainable clothes, leather, and footwear.
V
eganism is no longer limited to food. The vegan population demands products that are carefully created without harming the environment and creating toxic chemicals. Thus began the popularity of vegan footwear. Even major footwear company such as Adidas has “stepped” into the market with their vegan footwear and set an example for small & medium companies and start-ups. Slowly and gradually, many footwear companies began to re-imagine their sustainability goals and rethink the ecosystem of luxury fashion.
Major footwear brands going vegan
Within the last five years, the market giants in the footwear industry have begun to manufacture vegan footwear and are even flaunting the vegan verification market. As a part of the company’s sustainability initiatives, Adidas launched a line of footwear that is made from mushroom leather. These plant-based trainers are created using mycelium, which is a part of the fungus that produces mushrooms. The company has been working with biotech start-up Bolt Threads to develop its new, eco-friendly trains and has collaborated with Lululemon and Stella McCartney. The start-up has been involved in developing leather from plant-based materials and set an example for other biotech companies.
Similarly, Vans, the skatewear brand has also launched its eco-friendly or as the company calls it earth-conscious Eco Theory vegan shoe range. This range includes Vans classic style shoes developed from sustainable materials such as natural rubber for soles, organically grown cotton for canvas and laces made from hemp. This shoe range is available in the U.S. and a selection from the Eco Theory range is available in selective countries. Recently, New Balance, the sportswear brand launched its first animal-free version of its classic 990v5 sneaker. This vegan footwear replaces pigskin suede with vegan leather to make it cruelty-free. The shoe is available online for purchase and the company aims to launch more cruelty-free, vegan footwear
42 • FOOTWEAR TODAY • JULY/AUGUST 2022
footwear maintains the company’s signature style, comfort, and feel but adds a special twist to the football icon. The vegan shoes are made without use of animal-based adhesives and all the prints on the footwear are made using only vegan pigments. This launch is aimed at players that look for vegan products. The shoe features KINGForm technology, a structure that fuses with vegan leather in key contact areas and offers a superior feel and responsiveness.
“From vegan food to clothes and footwear, rise in popularity of veganism has encouraged major fashion companies to redefine their
sustainability goals and act on them.”
in the future. Similarly, Puma announced the launch of vegan footwear that is exclusively made from animal-free materials. The new
Over the last few years, customers are more aware of their impact on the environment and more conscious of their shopping habits. From vegan food to clothes and footwear, rise in popularity of veganism has encouraged major fashion companies to redefine their sustainability goals and act on them. The launch of vegan footwear is just the start of how fashion brands can find a way to cater to every type of consumer. Accepting the social trend and inclination and bringing flexibility in product offerings is the key to increase the consumer base and with the launch of vegan footwear, luxury brands are trying yet again to gain the attention of vegan consumers. In the future, the trend will follow in every sector across the globe and will help make the fashion industry greener with every step.
DOWNLOAD THE FOOTWEAR TODAY APP NOW SPONSORED BY
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52
