16th April
20 billion pairs of shoes manufactured every year, but what is the footwear industry doing to become more sustainable?
For years, the footwear industry has struggled to operate sustainably to reduce environmental impacts. However, it is now possible; encouraging footwear brands to adjust their design methods and materials.
The footwear industry has an expected global market, worth $371.8 billion by the end of 2020. So far this year, the UK's footwear market revenue, amounts to £11.3 million.
Consumers are now more likely to take a brand's sustainability measures into consideration before purchasing. Mintel reports over half (55%) prefer to buy footwear from retailers trying to make a positive impact on the environment.
September 2019, UK footwear retailer, Schuh launched - 'Sell Your Soles' - allowing customers to recycle their unwanted shoes in exchange for vouchers. Managing director, Colin Temple said: "We recognise the importance of protecting the environment and are on a mission to proactively find new ways to operate sustainably."
'We cannot talk about sustainability and not talk about humanity.'
Elle AyoubZadeh, founder and CEO of footwear and accessories brand Zvelle, discussed making her products sustainable.
'For us sustainability means a number of things. We craft products...you can buy today and wear years from now. We don't produce seasonal collections or follow trends...we also don't produce unnecessarily. We source deadstock from luxury suppliers - material that luxury brands have created and not used...we are using what is available to us instead of creating more'.
'We work with small...family owned factories in Italy. These factories rely on our support to pay...their crafts people...good living wages. We use very limited packaging...giving our customers...a 100% cotton and recyclable tote bag that...can be repurposed'.
'It is...much harder to do things that in the long run will be more beneficial to...our world. Finding the right suppliers and factories to build our sustainable footwear...has been the hardest thing'.
Each style of Zvelle's shoes are named after a woman that inspires them, telling their story | Photo by Zvelle
'I...go direct to the consumer...we are selling our shoes for 50% of the price that luxury brands sell shoes for. We make our shoes in the same factories as luxury brands and sell them directly online. All the investment goes into the product...at a great price point'.
The footwear industry has 'not got a great reputation, it's not an easy product to make sustainable...'
Speaking at MODA 2020, Sam Hunt, Hunted Brands director, said 'It gets a lot of press, the sustainable angle on footwear, because it's been proved it can be done now.'
Hunt went on to describe the younger generation's concern about sustainability,"They want fashion, they want to look good, but they do not want it to be at the expense of their future".
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