The BoBo Malcom and Fango are some smart gibsons for spring. Lightweight, bright soles, and sustainably leather free in soft microfiber-suede with faux-leather lining. From a summer soiree in a suit, to a casual stroll in chino shorts, these are versatile, neutral, and handsome.
Alter will be hosting a pop-up shop for M:Zero, the macho incarnation of Melisa Plastic Dreams featuring shoes made of 100% recyclable plastic by Grendene, a socially and environmentally responsible company in Brazil. There will be a launch party on March 24th from 6 – 9 pm with the bubbly. But if you’re in town sooner, the product will land on the 17th:
Beginning March 17, ALTER will showcase the M:ZERO collection at the latest location in Brooklyn. “M:ZERO is a innovative brand in design, materials, technology, and details while staying true to classic style. ALTER has curated a collection of brands that lends itself perfectly to the M:ZERO customer” says Melissa USA CEO Michele Levy.
Alter’s newest store, hosting the event is located at:
• Vegetarian Shoes UK’s new Antique Brogues take a classic English pattern and put it into a modern, sleek shape. Made fairly in Portugal, sustainably leather-free, and just under $100.
April77′s very own Brice Partouche paid a visit to Waffle Brunch at the West Cafe yesterday, and was wearing the samples of his re-envisioned shoe-line “Good Guys”. These sustainably leather-free, faux-suede desert boots, made fairly in Portugal were pretty darn exciting. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of these, and the many other style’s he’ll have coming out very soon!
Keep Shoes is cool company that produces items with innovative, fashionable styles – and in even better news, according to their website: “All Keep products are cruelty free”. These sweet moccasin, hi-top, buffalo check and fold-down kicks, as well as many other Keep styles are available on sale for a limited time at Jack Threads at around 50% off. Jack Threads is a Member-only site, so get your invitation by clicking here.
I don’t often get to use the word “snazzy”. It seems so intentional and awkward, but Love Thy Neighbor, an independent shoe line with some bold shapes and patters, offers a few non-leather items that are upgrading ‘snazzy’ for me. With shoes like “The Kevin Bacon Triangle” and “Prom King” – it’s obvious that humor is a part of this label’s identity.
OSBORN Handcrafted, the Guatemalan, artisan, hand-cobbled shoe line features a few vegan styles, with more to come. Started in 2009 by Aaron Osborn, whose family runs the largest orphanage in Guatemala, Osborn employs a team of 20 artisan cobblers in a sustainable and fair-trade environment. Each shoe is signed by the cobbler – a mark of pride for the maker, and the bright colors and bold patterns are a clever compliment to a solid suit or pair of jeans.
• When I originally blogged about M:Zero’s debut at the Kaight Pop-Up Shop for Melissa Plastic Dreams, I was stoked about the recycled, injection-molded and recyclable shoes. Now that I see them in all these rad colors and textures, I am a happy, vegan, fashionisto. The brown flocked kicks need to be on my feet – and for only about $70 US, they’re affordable to boot!
• Now that you have some new shoes to show off - sign up for Farm Sanctuary’s 2010 Walk for Farm Animals! The celebrity trainer, host of Biggest Loser and vegan discerning brute himself Bob Harper is the official spokesman for the walk this year. *Check back soon for my video interview with Bob that I did for Farm Sanctuary!
You have been patiently waiting for NOVACAS’ Fall 2010 lineup, and here it is, 100% vegan, and sustainably leather-free . NOVACAS emerged from the phrase “No Vacas” meaning, “No Cows” in Portuguese, where the shoes are constructed under fair conditions, and consist of 100% PVC-free, high quality faux-leathers (What wrong with leather?).
Featuring last season’s smash-hit the Leo, now in black, as well as my new personal favorite, a fold-down, refined work-boot, the Milo, in both black and gray. What I love about a refined work boot is it’s versatility – great with some jeans for a autumn hike, and equally appropriate with some slacks, a blazer and tie. The shoes will be available starting Sept 15th online and in-store at MooShoes (to pre-order, email MooShoes). Click here for a list of additional stockists.
Their shiny new website was designed by DB contributor Troy Farmer of Raven + Crow.
Moby’s new book ‘Gristle: From Factory Farms to Food Safety (Thinking Twice About the Meat We Eat)’ is already making waves. From TheNewPress.com:
“Multi-platinum musician Moby and leading food policy activist and expert Miyun Park have brought together fifteen of the country’s leading voices on this issue–an eclectic group from such diverse backgrounds as farming, workers’ rights activism, professional athletics, science, environmental sustainability, food business, and animal welfare advocacy–who together eloquently lay out how and why 
industrial animal agriculture unnecessarily harms workers, communities, the environment, our health, our wallets, and animals.”
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Could it get more suggestive? AussieBum offers up mens undies made from..ahem..bananas. Well, to be precise, they’re made from the weave of fiber extracted from the banana plant and mixed with soft organic cotton. These undies are comfy, stylish and made with a conscious effort towards ensuring minimal environmental impact.
Tom’s has some new vegan spring styles. I really like the ‘Black Tangier’.
