A Personal Reflection on Leather and Sustainability
I have been vegan for many years, yet our Dolfie collections include leather shoes, a reality that has always been a deep moral dilemma for me. Naturally, we receive messages questioning how I can be vegan while working with leather.
My answer, which may not resonate with everyone, is that as long as people continue to consume meat, leather remains a byproduct of the food industry. All the leather we use comes from this source, giving it a second life rather than letting it go to waste. Additionally, in my humble opinion, leather is still one of the most durable and high-quality materials for shoemaking, which ultimately extends the lifespan of our products and reduces overconsumption.
Many brands proudly promote vegan alternatives made from apples, grapes, cacti, corn, and other plant-based sources. While these innovations are exciting, they often rely on plastic components (such as polyurethanes) to achieve durability. And as we all know, plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to our environment and wildlife.
At Dolfie, we are committed to responsible and ethical practices, continuously researching non-toxic, sustainable materials that can truly replace animal leather without compromising quality. Our Save the Ocean project is an example of this commitment, transforming ocean-collected plastic into fabric and giving waste a new purpose.
We believe sustainability is about making conscious choices and using resources responsibly. Thank you for supporting us on this journey toward a more ethical and environmentally friendly future.
– Bárbara de Assis, Co-founder of Dolfie
2 comentarios sobre «VEGAN & PLASTICO»
I wholeheartedly empathise and agree with what you have written. Life and living as ethically as possible is difficult to navigate, and a tricky balancing act. I am looking forward to the launch of your barefoot range of shoes. I have my fingers crossed that there will be wide options so that I can get some, as the majority of barefoot brands don’t accommodate the width of my feet unless I buy shoes that are way too long for me (24.9 x 10 cm).
Thank you for your message! We totally understand the challenge of finding the right barefoot fit, especially for wider feet. Yes, you will find models that accommodate your measurements! We’ll be publishing our size guide soon so you can check which one suits you best. Hopefully, there’s a perfect pair for you! 😊