Reformation and New Balance have teamed up to co-create an eco-friendly sneaker line.
The sustainable fashion brand is launching its first-ever sneaker series with the help of the athletics label later this month, as reported by Teen Vogue. The project comprises three different styles, including revamped versions of the New Balance 574 and X90 models, and the shoes feature post-consumer recycled polyester, soy-based inks and and inserts made from a mixture of EVA foam and Bloom algae.
“The industry is in need of some serious systemic change and we want to be a part of solutions to clean up the industry, whether that’s helping to develop new closed-loop fibers, ensuring living wages for our factory workers or innovating more-efficient dye practices,” the founder and CEO of Reformation, Yael Aflalo, said.
An image posted to the Reformation Instagram account shows a chunky-soled sneaker featuring retro flashes of colour, including mustard yellow, navy blue and khaki green, along with pink laces. “It’s exciting news, as we’re basically losing our virginity in the sneaker category, while these are also New Balance’s most sustainable sneakers yet,” the brand said of the shoe, which launches on October 10.
The footwear industry has been taking steps to offer consumers increasingly sustainable products of late — earlier this year, Adidas unveiled a fully-recyclable running shoe in beta form, while last year saw the luxury label Hugo Boss launch a new Boss Menswear shoe fabricated using Piñatex, a natural-based material made from pineapple leaf fibers. – Relaxnews