The UK’s largest independent online fashion and beauty retailer, ASOS.com has officially launched the Green Room. The Green Room is a dedicated destination on the ASOS.com site to support social and environmental awareness for conscientious shoppers. Featuring ASOS Africa, ASOS.com own fair trade label, a collection of clothing and accessories designed, sourced and produced in collaboration with several small communities in Africa. The site will be populated with a virtual Who’s Who list of top eco brands ranging the spectrum of shoes, clothing, accessories and beauty products. By accessing The Green Room, shoppers can follow the journey of their eco friendly products and read stories from the real people behind the brands.
In the Women’s Eco Shoe category, Beyond Skin, Terra Plana, Vivienne Westwood for Melissa, and Swedish Hasbeens (pictured) are brands slated to be offered. ASOS.com is ethical shopping at its best!
More Shoes,
~Ar
Terra Plana Gaia Boots
Charmone Dragonwell
NeuAura Arinos Black Croco
Toms Shoes Glitter
‘Tis the season to give and for many of us it’s gotten a bit harder. I wanted to share some wonderful options of fashionable giving for the conscientious eco shoe aficionados. The great thing about the following is they offer ways of giving no matter what time of year it is.
1. TOMS Shoes has provided shoes to over 300,000 children around the world since the inception of their One for One program. With every pair of TOMS Shoes that are purchased, TOMS gives a pair of new shoes to a child in need. Many of their comfortable shoes are vegan or made from recycled and local materials and produced under strict “no sweatshop” criteria.
2. It’s a bootie! It’s a shoe! It’s a sling back! I love Neuaura Shoes Arinos Black Croco. This animal friendly shoe versatility is unlimited.
Pair it with a pencil skirt, leggings, wide-leg trousers and beautiful soft bamboo jacket. Neuarua Shoes chooses 2 charities each season to donate 10% of all online sales. For more information check out their
3. From the High Tea Collection, Charmone’s Dragonwell vegan boot will get you over the river, through the woods to wherever you’re headed during the holidays in high eco style. The military inspired embellishments are a great look with skinny jeans. Sustainability and giving at Charmone Shoes starts with manufacturing shoes in sweatshop free environments, thereby providing living wages. 5% of all profits from their shoes are donated to charities that support people, animals and the environment.
4. Don’t just go green, go thigh high with these sexy boots. Kailia Footwear is where sustainability meets sexy Italian styling. Chiara is a handcrafted eco friendly boot that is sure to please for turn heads beyond the holiday. Compassion spurred the launch of Kailia’s sister brand, DoNi- Gift of Love, which exclusively helps numerous non-profit agencies with animal and environmental causes. Impressively, 100% of after-cost profits from on-line sales are donated to those organizations.
5. Saving the one of the best for last, I can’t even begin to describe my excitement when I first found these Terra Plana Gia Boots! The 2007 Ethical Fashion Award Winner never misses details with their shoes and this boot has it all! Whipstitching throughout, wooden heel, and a lining made from recycled memory foam. Talk about lighting up the Kinara or Menora, these veggie tanned boots are that hot! You can even select the detailing patchwork styling for the rear calf. One of the best forms of giving is to your friends; Terra Plana gives you 10% off when friends you recommend make a purchase from their site.
Regardless of how hard times can be, we each possess the power to give of ourselves. The thing about giving is you typically get more back especially when it’s done selflessly. My gift is to motivate you to consider adding fabulous eco shoes and compassionate manufacturers to your giving tree and help change the lives of others, animals and the environment in a fashionable way.
Happy Holidays!!!!
~Ar
Thongs by some accounts can be considered the oldest form of footwear. Egyptian Hieroglyphics dating 15000 BCE depict images of footwear that closely resemble the modern day flip flop. The laborious construction of ancient footwear were of organic harvested materials like, wood, leaves, plants, grass, tree bark and coconut skin. Egyptians appear to be the first to employ vegetable tanning techniques and spun flax for thread to hold the shoes together. The Egyptians, also famous for their fondness of jewelry, would adorn their thongs with beads, metals, gold and precious stones. For those of you like me wondering, the name “flip flop” derived from the sound the shoe makes when walking. Flip Flops are universal footwear and concepts of the original design appear in ancient Rome, India, Asia South Africa and other countries. Other names for flip flops include Thongs, Jandals, and Chappal.
Ancient Egyptian Sandals
Flip flops are the simplest of all shoe designs; featuring just two components, a simple sole and strap (thong) that holds the front of the foot to the shoe. What I found most interesting about these ancient shoes is that they were typically worn by men of means. Thankfully for us fashionistas, Flip flops have come a long way in that regard.
Terra Planna Dopie - White
Flip flops evoke a carefree, relax mode. For me, other than a great pair of 4 inch heels, I live in flip flops. Thongs serve a great purpose for me; I can still look cute sporting a FABU pedi, when running to the market or just taking a stroll. Flip Flops are great alternative to sneakers.
Flip flops have crossed the threshold from just beachwear to everyday footwear. As workplaces are adopting more relaxed dress codes, it is not uncommon to see flip flops in the office. Many probably remember when some in the public went aghast as Northwestern’s Women’s Champion Lacrosse team showed up at the White House for a photo opt donning Flip Flops. Now it is not so uncommon to see thongs wearers, at casual and red carpet events. Mainstream shoe designers have channeled the Egyptians and are adorning thongs with sequins, metallic, swarovski crystals, gemstones, diamonds, and offering them in varying heel heights. Eco footwear designers seem to be inspired by the ancient origins of thongs by their use of the similar organic materials. Once again, because of its simple design, styling options for flips flops are unlimited.
These delicious Mink Shoes Thongs and are vegan. Mink never disappoints with their play on animal names for their shoes. These are called Lemur. I love the delicate petal applique that frames the sides of the foot. Perfect for that flowing sundress and matched with a flower in your hair.
Mink Lemur
Hip hop-eco flip-flops with a little BLING! Melissa Shoes, brings it with their patented Melflex plastic technology. There’s no sin in these thongs that are made of recycled plastic and has a delightful fruity smell added during manufacturing. The Sin+J Maskrey shoe is dazzling with the crystals on the T. This flashy eco flat is ideal for petite gals looking to elongate their legs and pairs nicely with a short jumpsuit.
Melissa Shoes Sin +J Maskrey
Go for a bold look with Olsen Haus eco friendly thongs aptly named Goliath. These gladiator thongs are strong and solid with an adjustable buckle. Olsen Haus doesn’t overdo it; they’ve kept this black and tan sandal simple. This thong has a great profile from the side and the top. For a knockout look, this shoe can be coordinated with classic linen.
olsen Haus - Goliath Thong
I’ve also come across some very impressive eco shoe companies. Pikolinos is certainly ranks among the most impressive. They are located in Spain. Their 2009 Summer Orinoco collection was awarded the EU Eco-label. The EU Eco Label certifies that strict environmental standards are adhered to during manufacturing. It doesn’t stop there. Pikolinos, committed to reducing it’s carbon footprint has a “zero paper” policy and waste generated within the company is recycled. And on a social responsibility front Pikolinos collaborates with several social, cultural, sport and development projects. Endeavors include UNICEF; our Mundy Organization in Ancash, Peru; the Aderbissinat Community project in Tadibene, Nigeria; AMAMEC (Woman Breast Cancer Affected Association) in Elche, Spain; and, investigation projects in Elche Hospital in Spain. You can’t help but feel good with a purchase of Pikolinos.
Pikolinos Lima - Semi-Vegan
Hopefully, I’ve provided a good start for you to consider as shop for your Summer footwear. Why not add a couple eco pair? So whether you’re off to the beach, market, dinner or special event walk like a modern Egyptian eco style.
~Ar
