Charmoné
Photo by Charmoné
Charmoné is a line of animal-free, sweatshop-free, and eco-friendly designer shoes debuting in August. Created by Jodi Koskella and Lauren Carroll, who are based in San Diego and New York respectively, the Italian-made shoes are meant to embody the ideal of “where style conscious meets social conscience.” The line features high-end Italian microfibers that structurally resemble leather, resulting in a lightweight, breathable, and colorfast shoe. These kicks don’t come cheap, however, ranging from $275 to $325, but at least you’ll tread easier knowing they weren’t made in some sweatshop in China.
“I’m not interested in creating another Birkenstock,” Carroll tells Riveria. “I have a lot of friends who are vegetarians and I’m very eco-conscious myself. It’s a younger generation now; they like the values of the hippie generation, but they won’t tolerate some of the fashion implications.” Hmmm.
[via Hugg]
While I definitely applaud the company’s entreé into the sustainable-fashion world and am heartened by an alternative for the Manolo Blahnik- and Jimmy Choo-obsessed crowd, at the same time I’m reminded of my previously stated ambivalence toward green luxury goods, along with a quote Mollie of One/Change recently posted:
The urge to buy a new pair of shoes, sheets, or whatever else it may be often arises in response to feelings of discontent. But when you let your unhappiness talk you into a quick-fix shopping spree for stuff you don’t acctually need, you are contributing to the degradation of the environment—depleting our natural resources while filling the air, water, and soil with life-threatening emissions and waste.—Pat Daniel, Ph.D.
(Still, I could really use a new pair of knee-high boots, since my very versatile old pair has been worn beyond redemption—with noticeable, gaping rips—and I’d pay a premium not to crush the backs of sweatshop laborers in the name of vanity, albeit a functional vanity so devoid of frippery it’d make Imelda Marcos’ shoe collection weep silent, hot tears.)
Tracy said,
July 21, 2006 at 1:50 am
The other question is: what is the microfiber made of? If it’s petrochemicals, how is that better for the environment?
Jasmin said,
July 21, 2006 at 10:01 am
Reposting from e-mail:
From their Web site:
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Compassion for the Planet
In terms of environmental concerns, the materials are free from harmful PVCs, using instead a light polyurethane coating which is gentler on the environment. What’s more, the process of creating microfiber is less polluting to the environment than the traditional process of tanning, factory farming and processing leather.
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As a vegetarian who won’t wear leather, it’s always a bit of a quandary for me. Still, we have options with hemp fibers now—I just wish they’d come up with more attractive shoes soon! There’s a company whose name escapes me now that tans leather with vegetable dyes, which is much much gentler on the environment if more time consuming (and thus, costly). I’m of two minds, though—a friend tells me “Hey, it’s waste reduction, because all that skin off those cows people eat have to go *somewhere*”. On the other hand, wearing a dead animal makes me personally uncomfortable.
aleta said,
July 28, 2006 at 8:02 pm
I appreciate the concept of the shoes - however, I guess I fall closer towards the birkenstock camp when it comes to fashion choices; the social implications of wearing heals is the equivalent of voluntary foot binding to me. I find it ridiculous that so many women actively choose shoes that limit their movement (can’t run) and are often uncomfortable. Yes, they’re pretty - but it’s just not worth it to me. When I need a lift from my shoes, I almost always opt for platforms with a wide enough heel that I don’t have to worry about my stability.
I’m also wary of the material they’re made of - I find that many non-leather options are made of vinyl.
aleta said,
July 29, 2006 at 12:01 am
oops - I just now noticed the comment stating they’re not vinyl. very cool.