Tag Archives: green

eco icon – birkenstock

Birkenstock

'yara' woven oiled leather sandal in habana, $140, birkenstockusa.com

I am in heaven after seeing the new styles & colors that Birkenstock just debuted in their Spring/Summer ‘09 line!

In high school, I bought my first pair of Birkenstock sandals – the Arizonaand have been hooked ever since.  Over the years they have teamed up for many cool collaborations with designers like Phillip Lim and brands like A Bathing Ape & Stussy.

Birkenstock’s were earth-conscious before it was hip…carrying on their amazing tradition of German craftsmanship since 1774.  They are considered trailblazers in this ‘throwaway’ industry because they promote repairing and recycling your old ‘Birks.’

Each shoe is made of sustainable & renewable materials like cork, natural latex and jute.  In fact, the cork used to make the footbed is actually excess material from the wine industry – when making wine corks for the bottles.

Here’s my wish list below…they literally have all the trends covered from patent & metallic finishes to earthy embellishments + pale palettes!

Check out the line in it’s entirety @ birkenstockusa.com.

Happy Shopping!

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'gizeh' patent birko-flor in striking purple, $79.95, birkenstockusa.com

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'madrid' patent birko-flor in peridot green, $49.95, birkenstockusa.com

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'kairo' woven oiled leather in antique grey, $130, birkenstockusa.com

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'cozumel' silky suede in taupe, $120, birkenstockusa.com

sustainable sneakers

I practically live in sneakers, so if they are also good for the planet…that’s fantastic!  I did my research and found 7 different styles, so I don’t want to hear that there’s nothing cool out there.  :-)

Payless has just launched a new shoe & accessory line with super greenie, Summer Rayne Oakes.  I had the pleasure of meeting her at their Spring press preview and found her to be really engaging & bright.  The greatest thing about the new line, called  Zoe & Zac, is the accessibility… since all styles are under $30.  Check out her video on YouTube:

Sustainable Style: Talking Green with Summer Rayne Oakes

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daisy frayed skimmer in multi, $19.99, payless.com

All-American brand, Keds, is also jumping on the bandwagon with their newly launched Green Label.  The line boasts organic cotton, recycled rubber soles & non toxic dyes…even the shoe laces are made from old water bottles!  They’ve also partnered with the Arbor Day Foundation to plant a tree for every pair sold in 2009.

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meadow moc in khaki, $55, keds.com

I’m a total Van’s girl, and they just debuted a really big selection of eco-sneakers in their Spring/Summer line.  The styles are a bit sleeker & updated while showcasing hemp-upper and bamboo foot bed liners.  I just adore the sustainable jute wrap on this style below.

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authentic lo pro sf, $50 , vans.com

If you are looking for a more retro-looking style, Ethletic makes one that is very reminiscent of an old-skool brand.  Their shoes are totally Vegan and made with 100% Fair Trade-Certified organic cotton canvas.  The rubber for the soles is actually tapped from a tree instead of being made from chemicals like other rubber products.

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ethletic high-top sneakers in olive green, $56, autonomieproject.com

I cannot wait to buy these ditsy-print sneakers from Simple.  The company started in 1991 and have been producing earth conscious shoes since 2005.  Their fun & inspirational approach to marketing educates the consumer while also maintaining a sense of humor. Their less > more manifesto means their goal to produce 100% sustainable products might actually be realized.

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pinwheel in black multi, $55, simpleshoes.com

Etnies and it’s parent company, Sole Technology, have been around for over 2o years. Their founder and CEO, Pierre Andre Senizergues, recently announced their commitment to becoming the action sports industry’s first carbon neutral company.  After conducting an eco-audit of the business, they are looking at ways to improve their environmental practices …including solar panels, recycling efforts and water usage.

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baby jane in purple, $40, etnies.com

Keep shoes is fairly new to the game, the line being only 3 years old, but they have been fashion forward from day one!  Besides being a very unique & collaborative force, they only make cruelty- free products.  Although they are made for the ladies, the styles are considered unisex….so you can both rock the crazy, bright patterns and colors.

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the guerra in purple w/madras plaid, $95, keepcompany.com