This One’s for all the Shoe Lovers

Want to continue your shoe addiction without feeling bad about it?

Want to tell your spouse or your friend that is supposed to be holding you accountable that you’re actually making a difference in the world by purchasing a new pair of shoes?

Look no further! The following brands will help you on your shoe journey and will also benefit the greater good.

HQ: Nomadic – Austin, Texas and NYC

Artisan Partners: Guatemala and Panama

Product: A range of leather boots, sandals, loafers made with traditional Guatemalan woven fabric

Price Range: $90 to $300

Impact: Teysha has established it’s own shoe workshop employing over fifteen traditional shoe makers in the last five years. They’ve designed a rural supply chain which enables women and men weavers to work from home and care for their families. They’ve also pioneered the custom-designed footwear market to enabling their customers to directly collaborate with the artisans. www.teysha.is

HQ: Canada

Artisan Partners: Ethiopia

Product: Men’s and Women’s leather boots, sneakers, etc.

Price Range: $100 to $250

Impact: As the world’s very first fair trade certified footwear company, Oliberte has their own factory in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia working with shoe makers to provide quality shoes in an ethically sound working environment. “Oliberté is a sustainable brand supporting workers’ rights in sub-Saharan Africa. We believe in empowerment, transparency, and doing right by all. This means making premium quality products with a lifetime warranty, and it means treating every employee, everywhere in the world, with respect.” www.oliberte.com

 

HQ: San Francisco, California

Artisan Partners: India

Product: Beautifully handcrafted leather slippers using vintage fabrics

Price Range: $100 to $350

Impact: Female owned and operated; mindfully made in India. llanishoes.com

HQ: Portland, Oregon

Artisan Partners: Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia

Product: Leather shoes and accessories; scarves and other textiles

Price Range: $50 to $250

Impact: Sseko provides employment and scholarship opportunities to women in Uganda who are trying to further their education. Up to date, they’ve sent 106 women to university. In addition, Sseko works with artisan partners in Kenya and Ethiopia.

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