By Adam McGhee/ June 30th, 2022/ There are currently 0 comments
Despite it’s Paris upbringing, French footwear brand Veja owes it’s identity far and wide. Founders Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion birthed the brand, inspired by their visit to clothing and food factories in South America, Asia and Australia while running a non-profit group. In their visit, they were deeply concerned with how manufacturing processes were executed and wanted to prove how it should be done.
The brand was founded 3 years after this trip in 2005, taking its name directly from the Portuguese translation of ‘look’ – referring to the importance looking past just the shoes but at also how they are made. In order to assure the source of materials they wanted to use, the pair had to start from scratch completely. In order to this this they bought rubber from rubber tappers in the Amazon to form their soles, despite its price being higher than that of synthetic counterparts.
They also made the choice to use ecological cotton that was grown in ways that could return nutrients to the soil – rather than opting for the cheaper alternative which leached chemicals back into the forest soils. VEJA uses Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton for the canvas and laces, Amazonian rubber for the soles, and recycled plastic bottles or recycled polyester. The majority of VEJA collections are now constructed in high-standard factories in Brazil, that practice social and ethical ways of working.
VEJA’s production methods cost roughly 5 times more than other big brand sneakers to make because VEJA uses fair trade, organic raw materials and because they are more economically equitable for all parties involved in the production chain. Every season the brand chooses 5 models from their collection to check the chemical safety of the sneakers to ensure they have eliminated all hazardous chemicals from their production processes.
VEJA was the first brand to use B-mesh material. B-mesh material is a fabric made entirely out of recycled polyester. The composition is light, breathable and waterproof and is made in Santo André, in Brazil, from plastic bottles that are collected, sorted, then transformed into plastic flakes. These flakes are turned into polyester fibre through extrusion. On average, 3 plastic bottles are needed to make a pair of VEJA.
Is Veja a luxury brand?
Veja definitely deserves to be considered in the luxury footwear bracket. Made in Brazil, all of the Veja sneakers are of premium quality & made to last.
Why are Veja so popular?
There are many contributing factors to Veja’s popularity. Veja was the first mainstream sneaker brand to tick the box of sustainability – being the first sustainable sneaker brand. The Veja brand also still boasts that understated brand excitement – many still don’t recognise the silhouette V logo & will get people asking what trainers you are wearing, an experience rare amongst sneaker brands these days. Many female celebrities have also been spotted in Veja’s including Meghan Markle, Kate Middleton, Emma Watson & Emily Ratajkowski.
Are Veja trainers uncomfortable?
Veja trainers are comfortable however due to the leather uppers on the majority of their footwear it can take a while to break in on certain models,
How do Veja trainers fit?
Veja trainers run true to size however if you are usually in between sizes & your size isn’t available we recommend going down to the nearest full size, for example if you’re a UK 8.5 we suggest going for a UK 8 as apposed to a UK 9.
Veja Trainers UK
Browse the latest VEJA men’s & women’s arrivals below, online and in-store at official stockists Stuarts London. Grab 20% off for a limited time using code: WIM20.
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