14 DAY TRIAL // A new line of vegan footwear has just been launched by OAT Shoes, a company that tries to dispel the myth that you can’t be environmentally responsible and at the same time stay fashion conscious.
There is nothing unusual with that, some might say. However, we beg to differ.
This is because the collection in question is the world’s first premier certified-biodegradable leather shoe line, as a result of a collaboration between the Dutch label and Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries.
The leathers are tanned using nontoxic agents and are 100 percent biodegradable, so that when you’re done wearing them you can bury them in the ground and trees might actually grow in that very spot.
The brightly colored leather sneakers are lined with organic cotton plush for the high-top models, and with soft pique cotton for the low-top models.
Dubbed ‘Limited Skin’, the collection will come in a limited run of just 360 pairs, which can be to pre-order now, and with shipments to take place sometime this month.
You can place your order through OAT’s online store, choosing from one of the 4 colors available: Cobalt Blue, Moss Green, Chocolate Brown, and Blood Red.
The sneakers are priced between €179 and €199 (about $237 and $263 at the current exchange rate).
“When Hulshof approached us with their mission to make the first certified biodegradable leather in the world, we jumped to the opportunity to be their launching customer,” explains Christiaan Maats.
“We wanted to support their initiative and we thought some blazing colors would be a good way for people to dribble the dark days of winter,” he added.
However, if leather is not you’re thing, you can still opt for one of the pairs that OAT have in their Virgin Collection of sustainable shows, which are also fully biodegradable. There are four styles available, two high tops and two-low tops, made from hemp canvas, bio-cotton, cork and certified biodegradable plastic, and priced between €140 and €150 (about $185 and $198).