Sustainability and eco-consciousness are becoming important factors in the manufacturing and design process of an increasing number of fashion designers. In the realm of men’s footwear and accessories, Allen Edmonds is leading the way as a U.S.-based manufacturer crafting premium leather goods that are not only sustainable, but recraftable as well; and these sustainable shoes are the perfect example of how luxury standards and ethical fashion go hand in hand.
As a company that was founded by Elbert W. Allen in 1922, Allen Edmonds has roots in Wisconsin, making it a heritage brand that represents a classic and timeless sense of American style. Each pair of sustainable shoes is handcrafted by masterful shoemakers, using exquisite leathers selected from the world’s finest tanneries. From calfskins to Cordovan to suede, a single pair of Allen Edmonds shoes goes through a painstaking 212-step process to create a quality wardrobe staple that will last a lifetime.
While the shoes are intended to be passed down through generations as heirlooms, wearers will oftentimes need some upkeep on their footwear. This is where Allen Edmonds is going above and beyond when it comes to sustainable shoes, as the company offers shoe recrafting services out of their headquarters in Port Washington, Wisconsin.
“In today’s age of disposable everything, there are few products you can buy, wear, beat the heck out of, then send back and basically get a brand new product delivered to you,” explains Robert Steffes, VP of Manufacturing at Allen Edmonds. “Rather than throwing those shoes away in a landfill creating more waste, it’s one of the ways our customers can do their part around sustainability.”
Thanks to the brand’s innovative approach to sustainable shoes, more than 500,000 pairs of shoes have been saved from landfills over the past decade.