Nike x Eilish

Eilish first joined Nike’s artist roster last year. She kicked off the collaboration with a range of leather-free vegan Air Jordans, featuring her signature slime green color.  

In their latest collaboration, Eilish puts her own unique spin on the iconic Nike Air Force 1s.  

The new sneakers – featuring a neutral mushroom color palette – are made from a synthetic nubuck leather material, derived from 80 percent recycled materials, including 100 percent recycled polyester. 

Similar to past releases, the sneakers channel Eilish’s own oversized aesthetic, featuring chunky mid-foot straps. The collection showcases a total of four chunky straps covering the sneaker’s laces, a look that is inspired by two other Nike staples, the Alpha Force Low and Air Trainer 3.

The sneaker also features a fifth strap that goes around the ankle in the high-top version of the vegan-friendly AF1s.

Eilish’s stick-figure Blohsh logo is displayed on the lace deubrés and the Nike Air logos appear as usual over the tongue and heel. The insoles are made with cork and embossed with lyrics from her song Billie Bossa Nova: “It’s hard to stop it once it starts.”

“The challenge and opportunity with this collection was to respect the originals, but make them my own. It was also important for me to mix in environmentally preferred materials where we could and present them in a way that felt fresh,” Eilish shared in a press release.

New apparel collection

The Nike x Billie collaboration also features a new range of matching mushroom-colored apparel in her signature oversized style.

The clothing range includes a fleece hoodie, t-shirt, and sweatpants, embellished with subtle silicone Billie Ellish graphics and the iconic Nike logo turned on its side, pointing straight upwards.

Cruelty is never in style

Beyond Eilish’s music career, she’s an avid activist working to promote sustainability and veganism. She uses her platform to influence the fashion industry as a whole to recognize that cruelty is never in style. 

PETA has also recognized Eilish’s work, naming her its “Person Of The Year” in 2021. President of PETA, Ingrid Newkirk, previously shared: “PETA is happier than ever to celebrate her for seizing every opportunity to point out that vegan fashion and foods are kinder to the animals and the planet we share with them.”

The new Nike x Billie collection is now available on Nike’s website.

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The luxury fashion brand crafted the sneakers with sustainability in mind. 

The company used 90 percent recycled and bio-sourced materials in the design. For instance, a corn-based plastic called Biopolioli is used in the uppers of the shoes.

The laces are fashioned with 100 percent recycled fibers, while the soles are made of at least 94 percent recycled rubber. 

Further, the tongue patch features Econyl, a renewable nylon fabric. Even the sneakers’ box is completely recycled cardboard, and becomes a bag with a handle.

The Charlie is the luxury fashion brand’s first “eco-designed sneaker,” as well as its first unisex model

Vegan leather alternatives

Louis Vuitton isn’t the first to explore plant-based footwear. Channel, renowned for its luxury leather goods, has used Piñatex in its designs. Piñatex is derived from pineapple plant fibers from the fruit’s leaves and stalks. The animal-free alternative also helps funnel extra income to pineapple farmers.

Hugo Boss tried out Piñatex too, using the material to make a range of vegan leather shoes. 

And, a recent partnership between Bolt Threads and Kering Group – parent company to brands like Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Saint Laurent – saw mushroom-based leather being used for a myriad of products. 

The Charlie sneakers are priced at $1,080 for the low-tops, and $1,130 for the high-tops. Head to the Louis Vuitton website for more information.

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Vegan Nike sneakers

The musician, who is vegan herself, designed the sneakers with sustainability in mind. As well as being leather-free, the shoes contain more than 20 percent recycled material.

The Eilish collab resulted in a pair of tan-colored Air Jordan 15 sneakers. 

Eilish told Nike, per Page Six, that the Air Jordan 15 has been her favorite style ‘since [she] knew what Jordans were’. 

“When I got them … I looked at them as if they were $1 million sitting right in front of me,” she said.

“This is not a popular shoe and I don’t give a f*ck,” she added. “Because what you feel about something you love deeply is all that matters in the world.”

The seven-time Grammy Award-winner also designed new Air Jordan 1 KOs, available in the star’s signature slime green color. 

“This color is such a classic, stupid, little ‘old me’ thing, I guess. I really wanted to kind of have almost like an ode to myself … this was me, for a while,” Eilish explained.

She told Nike that the style’s shape goes ‘with everything’.

“… With pants, with shorts, with dresses, with skirts … I love the way they make your legs look,” she said.

Both pairs come complete with Eilish’s Bloshsh logo, which she designed at just 14 or 15 (reports on her exact age vary).

Billie Eilish and vegan fashion

The collaboration isn’t Eilish’s first foray into vegan fashion. Just last week, the entertainer persuaded designer Oscar de la Renta to stop using fur in its designs. 

In return, she agreed to wear one of the label’s gowns – which came with a 15-foot train – to the Met Gala.

“I’m honored to have been a catalyst and to have been heard on this matter,” she said about the move.

Eilish’s new Air Jordans launch on September 27 on store.billieeilish.com and September 30 on the Nike SNKRS app. 

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The UK-based company, which aims to produce sustainable clothing and accessories, will release its new vegan Reclypse sneakers later this month.

Reclypse sneakers

The shoes feature lining created from ECONYL regenerated nylon, which is sourced from pre- and post-consumer waste like fishing nets and carpet.

The Reclypse sneakers – which are handmade in Italy – come in four colors. They have a recycled polyester upper, as well as a tractor sole containing plant-based and renewable materials.

They also feature contrast panels of vegan leather and mesh.

“The Stella McCartney Reclypse is fashion innovation, taking luxury trainers one step closer to sustainability and circularity – it stylishly blends athleticism with escapism,” reads a release sent to Plant Based News.

Related articles…

Is Stella McCartney vegan?

It’s certainly not Stella McCartney’s first foray into animal-free fashion. The brand does not use animal-based leather, feathers, fur, or exotic skins. However, it does use wool in some of its designs.

Stella McCartney was founded by a designer of the same name, who is also the daughter of Sir Paul McCartney.

Both he and his daughter are long-time vegetarians. The designer’s late mother, Linda, was also a vegetarian and the founder of plant-based meat brand Linda McCartney.

Stella McCartney’s new vegan Reclypse sneakers are part of the brand’s WI21 collection, which launches on August 25.

The post Stella McCartney Debuts Sustainable Vegan Sneakers Made With Recycled Fishing Nets appeared first on Plant Based News.

The American skateboard and shoe company has debuted its Eco Theory capsule in the US.

Vegan Vans

It features four of the brand’s best-selling sneakers, including its iconic checkered slip-ons and 38 Decon hightops. Prices start from $65.

All sneakers feature an organically grown cotton canvas – made from natural seeds and without the use of pesticides and harmful chemicals – as well as water-based inks and glues.

The collection also features hemp laces – a natural fiber that is ‘durable, anti-microbial, and manages water’.

Vans says this requires less water and acreage to grow, is a pesticide-resistant crop, and extracts metals from the soil.

Moreover, the well-known rubber compound has also been updated to remove 100 percent of petroleum-based/fossil fuel rubber – replacing it with natural rubber.

‘Earth-conscious’

“Being earth-conscious means more than just utilizing responsibly sourced materials,” Vans said. 

“It means taking a holistic approach to health and sustainability. 

“These key values are the guiding principles in crafting this collection, with the goal being to make a more thoughtful product from the ground up.”

Vans pro surfer Dane Gudauskas announced the launch.

According to Hypebeast, he said: “Sustainability has to be at the forefront of Vans for the future. 

“It’s a fantastic moment to own the space and contribute to a more sustainable way of producing.”

Shop the collection here

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The brand has partnered with Bolt Threads – which creates a cruelty-free leather called Mylo using renewable mycelium.

The new Stan Smith sneakers are not yet available to buy. However, their outer upper, perforated three stripes, heel tab overlay, and branding are all made with Mylo – the midsole is made with natural rubber.

Adidas’ vegan mushroom leather

Moreover, Amy Jones Vaterlaus is the Global Head of Future at adidas. She said: “The introduction of mylo is a major step forward in our bold ambition to help end plastic waste.

“As a planet, we must learn to work with nature rather than against it. And, put our efforts into finding innovative solutions that are created responsibly with resources that renew at a sustainable pace.

“We [will] continue to explore the possibilities in material innovation.”

Moreover, Jamie Bainbridge is the VP of Product at Bolt Threads. She said the brand is ‘thrilled’ to be working with adidas.

“By creating the iconic Stan Smith with a Mylo material upper, adidas is demonstrating the far-reaching potential of this innovative material,” Bainbridge added.

“Mylo has the strength and performance it does today thanks to the guidance and deep technical expertise of the adidas team in making great footwear.”

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Moreover, it marks aims to become ‘zero carbon and zero waste’. As a result, each pair is made from around 20 percent recycled materials.

Move To Zero range

Included in the range is the new silhouette, Nike Crater Impact. Additionally, the beloved Air Force 1, Blazer Mid and Air Max have been transformed as part of the Plant Cork Pack.

These updated designs have outsoles crafted by recycled cork from the wine industry. The cork is then infused into the rubber. Nike says they’re inspired by ‘the natural world’.

The Air VaporMax 2021 is, the brand claims, one if its ‘most sustainable shoes to date’. This is because it’s made with over 50 percent recycled content by weight.

Also, Move To Zero features the ‘highly breathable’ Air Zoom SuperRep 2 Next Nature and Nike Victory G Lite.

Environmentally friendly

‘We’ve been making big moves in how we source, process, and manufacture our materials because it’s what we’re made of that counts’, the company announced.

Nike added: “By reusing existing plastics, yarns and textiles, we significantly reduce our emissions. Our goal is to use as many recycled materials as possible without compromising on performance, durability and style.”

“…Pushing the edges of design and Nike heritage, the latest summer offerings in Nike’s Move to Zero journey carve out reimagined lifestyle silhouettes and grow further into performance footwear.”

Nike also utilized plastic bottles and recycled nylon. All the cotton used in the shoes is sustainable, certified organic, and soured through the non-profit Better Cotton Initiative.

Low-impact sneakers

Earlier this year, Nike unveiled a low-carbon footprint sneaker collection, Space Hippie.

Chief Design Officer John Hoke said the range ‘changed the way we look at materials’, and ‘changed the way that we look at the aesthetics of our product’.

It is not the only brand using environmentally friendly materials. Actor Jason Momoa launched vegan sneakers made from algae. Moreover, big brands including H&M and Adidas have unveiled their own ‘sustainable’ shoes too.

You can order some of shoes via Nike’s website, though more designs are yet to be released and debut this summer

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The Swedish company has partnered with footwear brand Good News to debut the unisex collection. 

H&M X Good News

It features seven sneakers and a pair of sliders that are inspired by the ‘vibrant seventies’. Each item boasts its own sustainable elements, such as recycled rubber soles and recycled cotton.

Moreover, the new range features vegan leather made from wine waste and Bananatex – the ‘world’s first durable, waterproof fabric made purely from Banana plants’.

David Söderlund is a designer at H&M. In an online statement, he said: “Working with Good News gave us such good energy and positivity. 

“Their creativity and drive for change inspired our team. We joined forces to become better together. The collection is a bright and colorful contrast to a grey and uncertain world. I love the colors and the innovative materials.”

‘As sustainable as possible’

Co-founder of Good News Nia Jones added: “We’re very proud to be collaborating with H&M, pushing one of the giants to look at every component of a shoe. 

“It was important for us to make the collection as sustainable as possible while still looking fun and cool.”

The Good News x H&M collection debuted in selected H&M stores on April 1. It will launch in the US and Canada on April 15

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As a result, the brand hopes to become carbon neutral.

Plant-based leather

Plant-based leather made from vegetable oil, natural rubber, and other bio-ingredients is the most sustainable and scalable leather alternative, the brand claims.

Allbirds uses fabrics made from renewable energy, including eucalyptus trees and sugarcane. Other materials used in its products include recycled bottles and recycled cardboard.

The carbon impact of the plant-based leather is 40 times lower than animal leather. In addition, it is 17 times lower than synthetic leather made from plastic, Allbirds claims.

Sustainable

The investment with Natural Fiber Welding (NFW) will support a more environmentally friendly fashion industry, the CEO of Allbirds claims.

Luke Haverhals, CEO of NFW, said: “Humanity’s dependence on plastic and other petroleum-based products has created a scarcity mindset, which is unsustainable both for everyone’s quality of life and the future of this planet.

“A new era, one of abundance, will come from the creation of technologies based on sustainable and regenerative methods.”

The companies hope they can eliminate the industry’s ‘dependence’ on fossil fuels, whilst providing quality products.

Vegan leather industry

The vegan leather industry will hit almost $90 billion by 2025, a report claimed last year. This is due to evolving consumer trends.

Moreover, another report found a skyrocket in internet searches for ‘vegan leather’.

Also in recent years, sportswear giant Adidas unveiled plans to ‘replace plastic for good’ in order to help the planet. Demand resulted in a hike in page views for the brand’s recycled plastic sneakers.

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In the months and years to come, we will witness a seismic shift that’s long overdue. Sneaker brands will be asked to answer the call by adopting a new way of thinking, executing, and proving that they care about the environment. 

Attitudes towards sustainability

If there was still any lingering doubt as to whether the evolution was necessary, here’s a stat to consider. According to Cowen: “Sustainability and social impact are cited when purchasing apparel, footwear and accessories as being either ‘very important’ or ‘somewhat important’ by 76 percent for 18-34-year-olds (+13 percent in two years of data). 

So, as some brands make major commitments through new materials innovation, reimagined production techniques, amplified storytelling, and increased responsibility in recycling and packaging initiatives, it’s hard not to believe that they’ll be rewarded for their efforts, while many will be left behind. 

Vegan sneakers

Here are a few recent projects from brands that prove the tide might be shifting: 

Adidas embarking on their Parlay (recycled plastic net construction), the Futurecraft.loop which attempts a 100 percent recyclable performance running sneakers, its vegan classics lineup from 2020, and commitment to using vegan fungi leather in the near future, possibly before the end of 2021. 

Allbirds has also made some big moves with a movement toward greater transparency in its carbon scoring. But, its efforts have yet to register a vegan-friendly product, with merino wool being a core component of their lineup. 

New Balance made its first notable commitment to anything ‘vegan’ friendly with the Jaden Smith signature silhouette, the ‘Vision Racer’.

Sadly, as New Balance saw their cool cred hit new levels in 2020 with a slew of notable collaborations, there was little energy around increased responsibility toward the environment. 

Reebok kicked off the new year with a brilliant and meaningful step in the right direction that harnessed previous energy from its plant-based releases: the Floatride Glow, and the Cotton/Corn Club-C. 

Its latest collaboration teams the brand with husband and wife duo, Saeed and Katy Al-Rubeyi, of story MFG. collaboration. The project includes linen uppers on a Club C and the cult-favorite Beatnik silhouette. 

Keep up with the latest plant-based news…

And then there’s Nike, a brand whose ability to innovate at scale often creates a cascade of momentum that ripples throughout the industry. 

Dating back to the early 2000s via projects like ‘Considered’, we’ve seen the brand move toward animal-free glue, simpler constructions, knit and woven uppers, and even re-thinking their approach to packaging. 

All of these implementations have trickled outward. In 2020, we saw the Space Hippie line recycle plastic bottles, material scraps, and recycled soles turned into a cutting edge, and highly desirable collection of silhouettes, certain to have an industry-wide impact. 

Converse Chuck Taylor Space Hippie

A sneaker constructed of the recycled materials scraps and canvas, resting atop a recycled “crater” sole. A modern spin on a classic, and a conversation starter. 

Currently available via Converse, Nike, and reseller sites. 

Converse Chuck 70 Bandulu

Canvas construction with hits of sewn elements. Bandulu, a rising brand that I thoroughly enjoy, is bringing its upcycling principles and craftsmanship to the classic Chuck 70 silhouette. 

These launch on Feb 11 – the price has yet to be confirmed.

Adidas Ultraboost 2021

An update to a classic. The upper construction is based around the iconic Adidas primeknit technology, a reminder of how important and common knit technology has come in recent years. 

They sit atop Adidas’ Ultra Boost sole, a fan favorite that provides the wearer with a level of comfort that’s hard to beat. These are out now, in multiple colors, retailing at $180 on Amazon.

New Balance Vision Racer

The Jaden Smith, vegan-friendly New Balance. A new silhouette for NB, the brand took its cues from its vegan signee and built a construction that eliminated any real leather. Instead, it opted for a synthetic upper, a step in a different direction for New Balance. 

The Vision Racer feels like a sneaker for the youth. But, that’s not a bad thing- they’ll be driving industry demand for years to come. They currently retail around $150.

Reebok x Story MFG. 

The capsule collection from Story MFG and Reebok offers up two silhouettes the classic Club-C and the Beatnik. 

Constructed of linen upper and confirmed as a vegan sneaker by the designers, these do a great job of doing just the right amount. They’re timeless, neat, simple, and inspiring.

Retail price: $120

Nike Vegan Leather SB Dunk ‘Baroque Brown’

Last year, Nike closed out the year with a great sign for its vision moving forward, an official proclamation of an upcoming vegan leather SB Dunk. Keep your eyes out for these-full details TBD

These released via Nike Korea and other global stockists on January 31 for ?129,000 (approx. $117 USD).

Nike Air Max 90 ‘FLORA PACK’

2021 has another great release on deck. The classic AM 90 is on the way in a canvas upper and a truly smooth colorway. 

The release also sees the brand shift away from the tried and true synthetic leather swoosh to introduce a cork check. Finishing everything off is a few hits of embroidery on the tongue of the shoe.

The early response to these has been energetic. Keep an eye out for these when they’re expected to launch in early 2021.

Releasing soon via Nike.com for $120 

There are a slew of other brands worth looking out for such as Saye, Nothing New, and Thousand Fell.

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