Every once in a while I get word about a company running a business in a socially and ethically responsible manner.  Most of the times they are small so it’s hard to find them, but I try to give them a plug whenever I can.  Featured here is Fresh Cargo’s Maasai Treads Flip Flops.

Fresh Cargo, based in Nottingham England, founded Maasai Treads, a project based in Nairobi, Kenya.  This joint venture implements fifty years of Maasai Warriors’ experience in sandal making.  On the environmental side, the sandals and flip flops are 95% recycled, comprising of tires, denim, and leather.  Hemp is also used along with Kikoy, a Kenyan produced cotton.

Much of the proceeds from the business goes back into the community.  All the materials are locally sourced, and the project currently employs 20 people in Nairobi with the hopes of increasing that to 100 by 2014.  Furthermore, 5% of the sales of every sandal goes toward the Born Free Foundation in Kenya, which supports Kenyan wildlife and educates locals regarding the preservation of wild animals such as lions.

Obviously I would not be writing about Fresh Cargo if the Maasai Treads didn’t make vegan shoes, or vegan sandals or flip flops in this case.  For men, all of the denim flip flops are vegan.  For women, all of the flip flops are vegan EXCEPT the recycled leather flip flops.  They are currently in the process of redesigning the mens collection to make them all vegan apart from the recycled leather ones.

See the mens flip flops and womens flip flops at the Fresh Cargo site.  More pics after the jump.

Den ganzen Beitrag lesen…

Summer is just around the corner, and sometimes you need to let your feet hang out.  I’m not a huge sandals fan myself, the view of my bare feet is slightly disconcerting.  But depending on where you live, it may be acceptable to walk around in flip-flops.  And if you do, you might as well look good while doing it.

Now, if you’re going to splurge and get a nice pair of sandals, you might as well go with Havaianas.  State side, this brand blew up a bunch of years back.  All of a sudden they were everywhere.  But if you have a pair, you can tell why.  They’re sturdier, no flimsy one layer foam joints.  You can tell they’re quality.  And they’re slim, cut to the shape of your feet.  Unfortunately, you can’t get a pair for $5 like you can at your Old Navy or Dollar Store, but listen – last time I went flip flop shopping I went to a big box store that shall not be named here lest you judge me, and they were all at least $15!  And they were heinous, so I’d rather plunk down a little more and get these.

Den ganzen Beitrag lesen…

Here’s a slightly dressier shoe that is super versatile, but still animal friendly. Made by Slow and Steady Wins the Race, these sandals come in a natural color or black, in a cotton canvas material with a comfy wedge heel that gives some height but lots of support for running around at summer picnics or biking around the city. They will go with lots of cute summer outfits, from colorful rompers to sundresses to cutoffs and shorts. These are a perfect complement to the relaxed vibe of summer, with an elastic in the front part to allow easy slip on and off, without much fuss.

Available at Oogaboogastore… (?)