Childhood friends Sebastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion founded sustainable shoe brand Veja in 2004, for which Kopp is the creative director and Morillion the sourcing director. The brand manufactures its products in Brazil, made from organic cotton, wild rubber and recycled polyester fabrics.
Kopp studied economics at the Université Paris Dauphine, while Morillion attended HEC Paris Business School between 1998 and 2002, studying International Finance, and the Institut Catholique de Paris between 2015 and 2019 to study Philosophy. The childhood friends first worked in banking for a few months in New York and Washington DC, and worked together at Tristan Lecomte’s Alter Eco, a brand that imports fair trade and organic food and drink products to France.
The pair left finance set up an NGO that took them to countries including China, Brazil, India and Bolivia to study projects about their CSR policies, reducing their environmental and sociological impact. Then, at the age of 25, they launched their sustainable footwear brand Veja in 2004. As of May 2019, 200 tonnes of the wild rubber they purchased in the Amazon rainforest has resulted in the preservation of around 90,000 acres of the rainforest.
The brand is sold in more than 40 countries and has sold 3 million of pairs of sneakers since 2003. It counts Net-a-Porter, MatchesFashion, Printemps and Moda Operandi among its stockists. Kobb and Morillion are building the brand organically, without raising funds through external investment.
In 2010, the pair also launched concept storeCentre Commercial, which stocks men’s, women’s, kids and lifestyle linesin the store on the Rue de Marseille in Paris and online, as well as offering a space for product launches and events. The store sells brands that promote and champion transparency of production, as well as ecological and social issues, including Patagonia, Ami and Norse Projects .
FAQs
VEJA sneakers cost 30% more to produce compared to other brands that manufacture their products in East Asia. This is due to our use of fair trade and organic raw materials, ensuring a more equitable economic approach at every step of the production chain.
Who is VEJA owned by? ›
Veja has made it look easy. Set up by two Frenchmen, Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion,10 years ago who had a dream to produce a more environmentally friendly trainer, the brand has become one of the biggest success stories in sustainable fashion.
What is the story behind VEJA brand? ›
Veja's founders Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion met with organic cotton farmers in North Brazil and wild rubber tappers in the Amazon (Seringueiros) to establish the production chain behind Veja in Brazil. In February 2005, the company made its first official launch at the Palais de Tokyo, Paris.
Are vejas actually sustainable? ›
Sustainably Made
Veja uses Amazonian rubber in their sneakers purchased directly from cooperatives set up by family producers; they pay a fair price for it (twice the market place). Veja uses B-Mesh, a material made from recycled plastic bottles. In some vegan shoes, Veja uses a corn based leather alternative.
Why are Vejas uncomfortable? ›
Let's talk about the comfort level of Vejas
They are a bit stiff and the tongue has the tendency to dig into your foot.
Are VEJA still trendy? ›
Influencers can't get enough of them, editors wear them 24/7 and even celebrities like Emily Ratajkowski and Emma Watson are fans, not to mention the fact that literal royalty Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle have been spotted wearing the trendy shoe while out and about.
Who made VEJA famous? ›
Veja founders Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion.
Is VEJA considered luxury? ›
Veja offers an eco-friendly alternative without compromising on style or comfort. Known for their ethical practices, Veja's luxury sneakers are perfect for the conscious, fashion-forward individual.
Is VEJA Italian or French? ›
The VEJA Story
VEJA's story dates back to the early 1990s. The French brand was founded in 2004 by Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion, who released their first sneaker in 2005.
Why is VEJA special? ›
VEJA are synonymous with clean, classic, contemporary style and now more than ever are being seen on the feet of fashion's most influential. The French footwear brand has truly affirmed its position in the trainer market with its ecological and fair-trade conditions for production.
Veja is a French brand, but everything is made in Brazil.
Why do VEJAs turn yellow? ›
Oxidation and Yellowed Soles
In the case of white shoes, the oxidized rubber tends to reflect light in such a way that we perceive it as yellow. This is why your once bright white sneakers start to turn yellow over time. Please note, yellow soles caused by oxidation are different than yellow bleach stains.
Is VEJA leather real? ›
At VEJA, we are constantly working to improve the way we source leather. We have focused on two areas: Traceability and Chemical Transparency. To achieve this, we use different types of bovine leather that are 100% traceable from the slaughterhouse to the sneaker manufacturer.
What celebrities wear VEJAs? ›
Veja celebrities
- Meghan Markle's favourite trainer brand Veja is in the Cyber Monday sale - shop with up to 50% off. ...
- Katie Holmes Wears Mom Jeans & Veja Sneakers With a Neon Pop in NYC. ...
- Emma Watson's favorite eco-friendly sneakers | Well+Good. ...
- Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle both love Veja sneakers.
VEJA uses Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton for the canvas and laces, Amazonian rubber for the soles, and various innovative materials made from recycled plastic bottles or recycled polyester. VEJA sneakers are produced in high-standard factories in Brazil and Portugal.
Why do Vejas turn yellow? ›
Oxidation and Yellowed Soles
In the case of white shoes, the oxidized rubber tends to reflect light in such a way that we perceive it as yellow. This is why your once bright white sneakers start to turn yellow over time. Please note, yellow soles caused by oxidation are different than yellow bleach stains.
