GirlSustainable.com » Shoes

Understanding Leather

Angelina Leigh — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 14:00:48 +0000

Leather has long been part of our lives, despite the controversy that arises from its uses; leather is pretty much embedded in practicalities of almost every one of the modern industries. From the fashion catwalks to the factory floors of the heavy industry or our modest/elaborate homes to the white halls of the hospitals, leather you will find is ever present to serve as aid or accessory.

Now although its use is so widespread, you find it alarming to learn how there is only such little awareness about it. Not too certain that’s true? Well then just ask 10 people (at random)the following three questions and you’ll be lucky to find at least 1 among them who can answer all:

What is leather?
How is leather made?
It is obvious that leather isn’t animal friendly but is it environmentally friendly?

Here are the facts:

1. What is leather?

Leather is a material that is made from the hide/skin of an animal, often cattle but also reptile.

2. How is leather made?

Leather is made by submitting raw hides to the tanning process.
Raw hide is the product you get when the skins of animals are simply removed of flesh and hair through either

liming –a process of soaking the skins in an aqueous solution (lime and water) or

bucking – a process of soaking the skins in the aqueous solution of lye (wood ash) and water

before being scraped over a beam with a dull knife, and left to dry, stretched on a frame so that it dries flat.

Hide needs to be ‘tanned’ because it is made of animal proteins and if left otherwise, it will naturally go through the putrefaction process (decomposition).
There are in general two methods of tanning:
Vegetable Tanning (Tannin)
Chemical Tanning

Chrome-tanning

Aldehyde-tanning

Synthetic-tanning

Alum-tanning

Tanning will convert the raw hides into stable, durable, and versatile natural material called leather.

3. It is obvious that leather isn’t animal friendly but is it environmentally friendly?

Unknown to many, the in the leather industry, the skin/hide of the animal is the raw material, while the meat is the by-product and not the other way round. This obviously makes it non-animal friendly.
But what is more unknown is how the leather industry heavily contributes to
- global warming,
- land devastation,
- environmental pollution,
- water supply contamination,and
- the health detriment in both adults and children.

But what can you expect from an industrial process that heavily employs the use of

chromium sulfate ,
chromium salts,
glutaraldehyde or oxazolidine compounds
formaldehyde
aromatic polymers
aluminium salts

Often enough tanneries are located in the poorer countries like India where regulations are not yet fools proof resulting in the exploitation of labour (children included) who are exposed to these toxic chemicals without the proper safeguards and the contamination of the environment to the harm of its local residents (wildlife inclusive).

Leather, it’s not just about the effect on the animals…it’s also about the effect on the earth.

The Formula for Sustainable Fashion : SF=FF

Angelina Leigh — Wed, 03 Dec 2008 14:00:59 +0000

I’m proud to say that in the past few years, eco sustainability seems to have moved up into the fashion spotlight. Sure it took a while for it to get there but better late than never right?

Watching it grow from being the dream of a small dispersed group of individuals to that of a worldwide united front is truly inspiring if not impressive.

Today we have many individuals and organizations that have turned eco warriors, all fighting for that same cause of environmental sustainability with FutureFashion leading the way in the industry.

Founded as part of Earth Pledge’s 6 initiatives, FutureFashion is here to lend a hand to both the fashion and home furnishing industries make the appropriate transition to using sustainable materials and methods.

Recognising how much water and chemicals are consumed in the fashion industry, FutureFashion is aware that next to modern day agriculture, it is the fashion industry that is causing the irreversible damages to the eco system.

FutureFashion works hard to help designers, manufacturers and distributors maintain the virility of the environment and the lives involved without compromising their ability to stay on top of the industry as fashion moguls.

Actively involved since 2005, Future Fashion has pioneered:

1. As a resource to designers, a library collection of over 600 sustainably produced textiles and organic materials which they continue to strive to grow.

2. The creation and publication of FutureFashion White Papers in 2007, which is a collection of 30 essays by various stakeholders that includes scientists, retailers, farmers, dyers and models among others of the fashion industry who come together to present their detailed insight of how a transition to sustainability can be achieved in fashion.

Contributors include the famous Diane von Furstenberg, Julie Gilhart, and Shalom Harlow.

3. Revolutionary FutureFashion fashion shows that are hosted all over the world and participated by fashion titans such as Versace, Givenchy, Maison Martin Margiela, Oscar De La Renta, Donna Karan, Jil Sander, Moschino, Narciso,Rodriguez and Ralph Lauren (go here to see more participating designers) that lead the way to green fashion.

Appearing in Vogue, Style Dash, Newsweek, The Fashion Week and many other press publications, the FutureFashion fashion shows are here to educate the world that fashion can be just as beautiful if not more in green.

FutureFashion is exactly the initiative the world has been waiting for. It is the very formula for sustainable fashion, and I say if Oscar De La Renta, Hana Soukupova and Vogue are all a part of the equation, I see no reason why sustainable fashion is not here to stay.

*Sustainable Fashion = FutureFashion

Image Source: Earth Pledge

Where to buy Eco Friendly Shoes?

Angelina Leigh — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 14:00:31 +0000

Every women loves her shoes, it’s simply
just a natural instinct to her. But if you’re an environment loving lass then
that your love for shoes can leave you in quite a muddle because let’s face it,
fashion doesn’t always put nature first.

Are you now frowning and thinking about
how you’ll have to submit yourself to a lifetime of wearing the more casual
styled eco-friendly footwears such as hemp sandals, organic cotton flip-flops
and organic cotton canvas slip-on flats?

If you are, then stop because all is not
lost. I agree that most eco-friendly shoes you find sold are casual in style
and often leaving you parched for choice, they also don’t make for very
suitable accessories/necessities in formal work space.

I’m sure you’d agree it wouldn’t be very
professional looking to enter the courthouse in a pair of eco-friendly
moccasins. Don’t get me wrong, they are lovely and absolutely comfortable but
again not very well suited, matched with a power suit.

It’s worth noting at this point that there
is a difference between Eco-Friendly
shoes and Vegan shoes although both arguably serve to a good cause in their
own way (eco-friendly sustains the earth, vegan sustains animals which
in-directly also sustains the eco-system).

Eco friendly shoes are made from
recycled materials, sustainable materials and aren’t chemically treated. Vegan
shoes on the other hand simply mean that it is free in make from remotely any animal
products and isn’t tested on animals.

So where do you turn to in order to find
that “eco friendly and preferably vegan fashionable shoes” (that’s a mouthful
to say isn’t it?)?

Well just let the eco- champions below
show you how cruelty free, eco-friendly and fashionably sassy can all come
together to fit on your feet!

Terra Plana

A British eco-conscious fashion company
that lives by its poetic ethical policy:

Sustainable shoes are like
stars,

We may never succeed in
making them

But like the sea faring man
on the desert of waters,

We use them as our guides

And by following them

We reach our destiny

Terra Plana has some of the most amazingly
eco- responsible cruelty
free gorgeous shoes that you will want to take home with you! Terra Plana isn’t
a vegan company so there are leather products so do take note if you are
specifically looking for eco-friendly vegan shoes…some might not fit your
requirements.

Charmone

The New York based company that believes in compassion
for animals, planet and people makes them a delightful choice to shop from, especially
since their designs are simply femininely divine. With shoes that go under such
attractive collection names:

What’s
there to keep you from indulging in it?

NeuAura

The Company that has made its commitment to
sustaining animals and the environment:

“Our
purpose is to provide fun and exciting quality footwear that does not involve
unnecessary harm to animals and to the environment.”

NeuAura is the brand that boasts of “contemporary,
high-quality, animal-friendly fashion footwear for today’s uncompromising
consumer. Its Spring and Fall collections,
though with much designs and choices when compared to the other brands is still
worth a look – quantity is not quality!

Olsen
Haus

Olsen Haus is a purely vegan and
eco-friendly footwear fashion house. Founded on philosophy of

“universal truth, respect for
all beings, with a dedication to the expression of spiritual truth in the
material world.”

The beauty of the OlsenHaus shoes can
only be second to the cause it
fights for. Their Fall08-Spring09
is out and ready for your admiration and support.

NIMLI

Nimli is an eco and animal rights conscious
online retailer. Founded in New York by vegetarian Rajat Arora, Nimli was his
way of advocating the organic cruelty free way of life. Nimli produces more
than just shoes, but all their products are created with

“the
vision, hope, and philosophy of making it possible for people to adopt a
sustainable lifestyle through an extensive offering of green products and
services.”

NIMLI makes really beautiful shoes, from
boots to pumps, sneakers to flats.

If you want keep with your passion for
fashion yet stay green and animal friendly doing it, those are the brands you
want to stay with. Yes, some might get a little pricey but if you can afford
them then it’s for a good cause so why not?

Note:
Shoes are available on line at the respective websites and via authorised
retailers listed on the site. And please remember to visit the ‘about us’ site
for each company that you may read about their causes and how their products
are made to be eco-friendly and animal friendly.

Sustainable Shoes Can Be ‘Simple’

AceFisch — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 13:00:55 +0000

With the change of the season comes the hunt for shoes to brave the cold with. But shoes, like many other clothing articles, are most often manufactured from durable plastics or leather, which can be a less-than-desirable clothing option for earth and animal friendly people.

A new shoes company has emerged to cater to earth and ethics friendly individuals seeking reliable footwear. Simple Shoes produce a variety of sneakers and sandals made from all-natural and recycled materials including hemp, bamboo, 100% organic cotton, cork and recycled tires.

Started as a small idea in 1991, it wasn’t until 2003 that Simple emerged as a viable shoe manufacturer, releasing their first “Green Toe” line in 2005, which utilized only all-natural materials. In 2007 their next main line “ecoSNEAKS” arrived, making sneakers out of recycled tires and inner tubes and other completely sustainable materials. Their newest line, “Planet Walkers,” came out this year, featuring more support and more comfort for longer days.

But shoes are not the only thing Simple makes.

They also feature bags made in the same sustainable spirit, as well as offering gift cards.

One of Simple’s best feature is their adherence to the Ethical Supply Chain Guidelines, which include mandates against forced labor, child labor, employee health and safety, and fair wages and benefits. Within this is also included and “Environmental” clause that covers, among other things, the promise of Simple and their business partners to “reduce or eliminate toxic and hazardous substances from operations and products.”

Simple’s packaging excludes extra tags and papers, uses 100% post-consumer recycled product for boxing, and sells their flip-flops in biodegradable bags. Their motto, “How we make shoes is just as important as why we make them. We’re committed to making our products 100% sustainable,” expresses the idea behind Simple Shoes.

But perhaps the best part of the shoe is the comfort.

For a person who tips easily in heels, I love Simple’s flat-sole and sturdy build. What’s even better is the ease with which I can purchase vegan-friendly shoes, without having to hunt down every material. The company’s future plans include creating shoes completely without the use of glue, just another way to keep clothing production, well, simple.

Weekly Challenge: Give Yourself A Natural Pedicure

Annie — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:00:08 +0000

I don’t bother much with my feet during the winter. Maybe I should lavish attention on them all year round, but other things tend to capture my attention. Things like staying warm, finding more apple cider, and convincing my husband it’s not too soon to put up the Christmas tree. (“I know it’s only October, but really, honey, it’s okay…”)

I try to make up for my foot negligence come summer. Come summer, my heavy, closed-toe shoes are advised to get comfy in the back of the closet, because they won’t be seeing use for several months. I buy a few pairs of flip-flops, if my last summer’s purchases did not survive (they often don’t; I wear them out in a summer). I pull out all my sandals, pick the pair for the day, and then I notice my toenails.
Time for a little lovin’. Go ahead and give your feet some well-deserved attention this week.

Remove old polish.There are options for non-toxic nail polish remover. Check these out: Go Natural has a non-toxic, odorless version.

Sustainable Products: Eco-friendly Shoes

Annie — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:41:05 +0000

Diamonds aren’t a girl’s best friend; a great pair of shoes is. What can a diamond do for you that a slingback or espadrille can’t? Shoes can even glitter, sister. And they’re cheaper. You can change your shoes without changing your man and no one wonders. Try that with your pretty diamond ring, even if you bought it for yourself.

Here’s a selection of some eco-friendly shoe shopping options:

Planet Shoes has a great selection of shoes that are “produced from recycled materials, animal-friendly products, gentler chemicals or manufactured in plants with environmentally sustainable initiatives.” They have lots of tennis shoes, winter boots, sandals, and slippers (like these) but not so much on the dressy, stiletto side of things. Read on.
Moo Shoes is delicious, eco-friendly, and vegan. They have a great selection of women’s dress shoes. I lovethese.
Vegetarian Shoes and Bags kind of says it all in the name. Big selection, and the best price range. I need to a new skirt to go with