Give a girl the right pair of shoes, and she can conquer the world… Give a girl the right pair of vegan shoes, and she can change the world.
Sure, we’re becoming quite conscious about what we eat, but oftentimes we overlook the fact that our furry friends end up on our feet. A common argument seems to be that animal skin is a by-product of the meat industry, so one pair of snakeskin slides shouldn’t matter that much, right? In fact, many types of leather from exotic animals like lizards, crocodiles, and snakes are specifically farmed for their skin. These animals also mostly come from developing countries, meaning there are no laws for the welfare of animals being farmed. Fortunately, there are so many existing and emerging brands that are turning to vegan options for footwear. To help fill your shopping baskets, we’ve kicked up a curated guide for shopping vegan shoe brands that ship to Asia.
INDOSOLE
A Californian brand making shoes (in Indonesia) out of tires in a socially and environmentally responsible way
(SGD $45-59| HKD $260-340)
Did you know that it is nearly impossible for tires to decompose and that the buildup of wasted tires leads to the growth of mosquitoes? Even worse, they then breed deadly diseases like malaria and dengue fever. Indosole is a local Singaporean brand that turns this conundrum into a fashion statement. You will never tire of Indosole’s lightweight and waterproof flip-flops and slides, making them ideal for a day at the beach.
GOOD GUYS
Good guys don’t wear leather, so why should you?
(SGD $11-268| HKD $62-1544)
Check out these cruelty-free shoes from Good Guys, whose website features a range of styles. From vegan leather booties to stylish silver sneakers, you can be assured that no Crookshanks or owls were hurt in the making of these shoes. Even Emma Watson chose them as her go-to shoes during her long days on tour.
ETHLETIC
A socially responsible shoewear brand making organic cotton trainers
(SGD $63-154| HKD $364-886)
Not only does Ethletic make vegan trainers from organic cotton, but they also care a lot about the well being of their employees. Ethletic believes that they can do more than just Fairtrade, so they voluntarily funded a special premium to look after their production employees. This way, employees who are part of this welfare society can be fully in control of wherever these funds go to, be it their children’s’ education, health-care, or micro-loans.
WILL’S VEGAN SHOES
Italian vegan leather and vegan suede shoes and accessories
(SGD $46-273| HKD $267-1576)
If you prefer something a little edgier, don’t worry we got you. These chunky boots can go with every outfit and only look better over time. Their website features other shoe styles made from vegan suede and accessories, too.
CAI
High-quality vegan footwear from India
(SGD $16-39| HKD $90-225)
Cai goes by these three set of rules: that their footwear is trendy, comfy, and high quality. Slide into these elegant flats and wait for your girlfriends to ask where you got these beauties from. See their reaction when they learn that these feminine flats are vegan, too.
RUNGG
Embroidered vintage style vegan shoes made from premium vegan leather
(SGD $203-339| HKD $1172-1953)
Rungg makes luxurious embroidered vintage style shoes with attention to detail and impeccable craftsmanship. Their shoes are tastefully handmade and look more like a work of art than something you’d wear on your feet.
BEYOND SKIN
A variety of classic shoe styles, but vegan
(SGD $136-464| HKD $783-2675)
Shop your essentials at Beyond Skin. Whether you need new comfy work heels or faux snakeskin sandals to go with your summer fit, this is the place.
INSECTA
A vegan and ecological shoe and accessory brand based in Brazil
(SGD $145-188| HKD $836-1086)
Insecta’s spunky graphic shoe emphasize that style is so much more than just a passing trend. These shoes are made from materials that would otherwise be thrown in the trash, such as recycled PET bottles, upcycled vintage clothing, and recycled rubber. They have recycled a total of 6,640 plastic bottles, 391.69m² of fabrics, and 2120.70 kg of rubber in the last year.
BLANLAC
Eco-friendly and vegan artisan heels from Italy
(SGD $352-433| HKD $2031-2500)
These simple yet elegant shoes are made for big events with their detailed yet classic designs. They offer high-length and mid-length shoes, allowing you to be comfortable but still true to your sexy self.
BHAVA
Not wanting animals to become a victim of fashion, Bhava makes vegan shoes with materials of the highest quality
(SGD $134-378| HKD $773-2180)
In need for some sophisticated strappy sandals? These 2-in-1 heels by Bhava will never get old, switch up the style depending on whether you’re just heading for a chill brunch or for a glam night out. Their vegan leather also does not contain any aromatic amines, PCP, formaldehyde, PVC, phthalates, azo-dyes, or chrome.
SYDNEY BROWN
Sydney Brown was born with the concept of ‘reverence for life’, respecting humans, animals, and the environment
(SGD $83-334| HKD $471-1890)
Sydney Brown offers a plethora of shoes for all occasions. Most importantly, they are vegan, comfortable to wear, are made with fair labor practices, and use minimal non-renewable resources. They also state how each specific component of the shoe was made and sourced. Talk about thorough!
VEJA
High quality eco-friendly and fair-trade vegan shoes
(SGD $87-179| HKD $492-1012)
Veja always strives to make the most sustainable and conscious products. They do this by sourcing their organic cotton directly from farmers, ensuring it was made with fair trade. By cutting out the middleman, the farmers get more income, with Veja paying 63% more for each kilo of organic cotton compared to the global average.
FAGUO
With each item purchased, Faguo plants a tree in France
(SGD $38-272| HKD $211-1539)
Faguo does not only emphasize on style but also considers comfort and practicality in their shoes. To combat their carbon footprint, Faguo has the mission to plant a tree per every product that is sold. Since 2009, they have planted over a million young plants to promote biodiversity in France. Their shoes are also very affordable, so you get the best bang for the buck.
MINDFUL STEPS
Mindful Steps has curated a collection where compasion and fashion can go hand in hand
(SGD $74-149| HKD $420-845)
‘The best things in life come cruelty-free’ is Mindful Steps’s philosophy. Knowing that the leather industry is responsible for the deaths of more than one billion animals, Mindful Steps has stylish footwear that is vegan and that does not come at the expense of our furry friends. Featuring slides, boots, and sandals all that come in neutral tones, they’ll match easily with your entire wardrobe.