Skip to main content

Feel Good Friday – Veja

We have to say – every time we profile another sustainable, eco friendly brand, we learn something new. Here is what we learned when researching the French brand Veja (which means ‘look’ in Portuguese)  after digging their shoes, bags and accessories over the past couple of seasons:

Seringueiros: What you call people who tap rubber trees. Veja works with a cooperative of them in the Chico Mendès reserve in the Amazon rainforest. Veja buys their rubber at a premium price so the Seringueiros can live well and reduce the financial appeal of land clearance.

The Amazon is the only place in the world where rubber trees grow in the wild.

Leathers and sheepskins are processed with heavy metals that harm the water and land; Veja uses  leather tanned ecologically with Acacia extracts.

All of Veja’s sneakers are assembled in a factory in southern Brazil that respects workers’ rights and dignity.

Veja helps support 350 families in northern Brazil who grow organic cotton in one of the country’s poorest regions.

Now that’s a feel-good company and we are excited about what they are rolling out for spring/summer 2014. Their Hawaiian print is being used on totes, wallets and shoes to offer up something more amusing in your closet (but don’t just stare at it, wear it!). We are also fans of the Moabi leaf printed high top designed with Luc Jacquet for the release of his new film about rain forests “Il était Une Forêt”.

Moabi Leaf High Top
Moabi Leaf High Top Image used with permission by copyright holder

But fret not if you are not a print man. The brand has a plethora of colorways in all of their products so you can brighten up your wardrobe with some kicking color and know you did your bit to keep the rain forests from disappearing.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Cator Sparks
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
The 100% Biodegradable Vollebak T-Shirt Is Made From Plants and Algae
vollebak plant and algae t shirt

In a variety of industries, companies like Vollebak are using science and technology to build a fruitful future for our world. The tech-based apparel manufacturer has taken a tip from Robert Frost by heading down the road less traveled with the innovative Vollebak plant and algae T-shirt.

Vollebak’s goal has been, and always will be, to create a new standard of intelligent outdoor clothing and gear. Founded in 2015, the London-based innovators crafted the world’s first graphene jacket. Described as “the perfect atomic lattice,” graphene is the lightest, strongest, and most conductive material ever made, and it’s the only material to win a Nobel Prize. Vollebak has released a collection of fireproof "100 Year" clothing designed to outlive you, as well as a heap of other advanced clothing and gear for the everyday adventurer.

Read more
9 Socially Conscious Sweaters for Cozying Up in Comfort This 2022
Socially Conscious Sweaters

There’s nothing that can harsh the beginning of 2022 like the realities of our modern era. It just doesn’t feel right to be all snuggled up when people and places all over the world are suffering. Fortunately, slow fashion has an answer. Next time you’re shopping for a soft, snuggly pullover or cardigan, pick from one of the growing number of socially conscious apparel brands that are using commerce to do good in the world.

From restoring waterways to paying laborers a living wage, from repurposing waste material to contributing to marginalized communities, these fashion companies are leading the charge to make sure that one guy’s warm day doesn’t come at the cost of another guy’s well-being. And did we mention that the sweaters they make are the highest quality you’ll find anywhere? Whether cotton, cashmere, wool, or alpaca is your pleasure, these socially conscious, sustainable sweaters don’t ask you to compromise quality for the sake of your principles.

Read more
How to Support the Teachers in Your Life
how to support the teachers in life talking students

For most folks, the beginning of fall conjures up images of bright foliage, plump apples, and pumpkin spiced everything, but for me, the season always makes me think of school. Maybe it’s because I loved being a student or because my mom is a teacher, but the crisp cool autumnal air always brings me back to the days of lockers, backpacks, and study hall (yes, I was a teacher’s pet — sue me!)

All that being said, I thought it might be important for those without teacher moms to write an article about how to support the teachers in your life as they embark on the new school year. This list is by no means exhaustive, but it does offer a few tips and tricks for showing up for your pals who are out there doing one of the most rewarding — and difficult —  jobs around.
Adjust

Read more