Sustainable fashion continues to grow in the conversation, with many looking to rethink traditional ways of doing things for options that are better for the environment.
Leather is one of the staples of the fashion world, but with some criticizing the carbon emissions that come from animal breeding, the chemicals used in lather tanning, and more, other options have popped up that solve some of these issues.
MoEa, a new company whose name stands for Mother Earth, is making what they’re billing as sustainable sneakers that are a solid alternative to traditional leather in terms of quality, with leather alternatives made of grapes, cacti, and apples, which MoEa claims releases 89 percent less carbon than regular leather, while also tackling food waste.
It does the latter by taking food waste such as grape pulp from the Italian wine industry, pineapple leaves, non-edible corn, and cactus leaves that would usually go to waste.
Designed by Achille Gazagnes, Benoit Habfast & Simon de Swarte, the shoes themselves come in a number of different solid block colourways and seem to take inspiration from the Air Force 1.
While it remains to be seen whether it can stand the test of time better than traditional leather, it certainly seems to be a better option to plastic leather, which is known to erode and release microparticles into the ground, air, and water.
The brand uses fruit and plant fibers with cotton to create sneakers with low impact on the environment. MoEa claims they look and feel just like leather, and are breathable, recyclable, and cruelty-free.
Each sneaker is around 49 percent plant/fruit by composition, the insole is produced from a soft, breathable 100 percent recycled wood fiber, with laces that are are organic cotton, and the inner lining of the shoes made of recycled bamboo fabric.
The leather pieces are glued together with water-based glue. The box that the footwear is in is made from recycled paper and is devoid of any plastic or even extra paper frills.
The crowdfunding has thus far been a huge hit, with the current total exceeding the original goal by around 800 percent.
Find the Kickstarter here.
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