The Importance of Sustainability & Ethics
Sustainability is mentioned everywhere but is mostly just words without any deeds.
In the very first chapter, I mentioned that sustainability must be an integral part of my brand.
Zero Waste
I guess you have heard about so-called fast fashion, where brands dispose of their overproduction in deserts in the hope that it might rot.
But did you also know that some very large and super expensive brands do not do sales or run outlet stores? Instead, they burn – yes, burn – leather goods and clothes to keep their goods ‘exclusive’ and the prices high. Insider reports speak of tens of millions per season.
LIMITED-EDITION LUXURY SHOES MADE TO ORDER MEAN ZERO WASTE.
Brigitte Kobi | Stilettissimo
Personally, I think that this is outrageous and a disregard of material, labour, and values.
Needless to say, this practice is out of the question for Stilettissimo. We would much rather donate shoes we cannot sell.
However, since our limited-edition shoes are made to order, we have no overproduction to begin with.
From Italy With Craft
In Chapter 3, I explained that we work with Italy’s best artisans. I know the people involved in the process personally, which is why I know that only experienced artisans who chose this profession, working in their home country, are creating Stilettissimos.
WE ONLY WORK WITH ITALY’S BEST MANUFACTURERS WITH WHOM WE HAVE A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP.
Brigitte Kobi | Stilettissimo
You might wonder how they manage to create a larger number pairs in a short time. The answer is collaboration and organisation. The region in which our manufacturers live is home to many shoe factories. Some specialise in stitching, others in cutting the materials. So, once the first model has been approved, they can outsource certain tasks to factories in their vicinity. Once, I met a lady who works in a local embroidery workshop; she came on her bike.
Of course, this means higher production costs, but we will never produce in a low-wage country where we have no knowledge of the working conditions. And, even if we did, we could not judge if they were acceptable for the respective countries, as values differ in different cultures.
These days, I often read about big brands hiring illegal workers, and I have no intention for Stilettissimo to be listed among them.
The Selection of Materials
There is a big discussion going on about sustainable materials. I have thought long and hard about it and educated myself. Basically, there are two aspects to consider. We all know that single-use plastic should not end up in nature, and has proved especially harmful to oceans.
While it is useful and necessary for many purposes, such as in the medical and pharmaceutical industries, single-use plastic should be avoided in packaging of consumer goods. Some European countries – Italy is among them – are even discussing a tax for this.
AT STILETTISSIMO, WE USE NO PLASTIC.
Brigitte Kobi | Stilettissimo
Stilettissimo’s packaging is plastic-free, as each shoe is wrapped in a dustbag of pure cotton and presented in a cardboard box. All this is also made in Italy.
If you are a vegetarian, you might find the thought of using animals’ skins repulsive. I totally understand. However, the so-called vegan leather contains such a high amount of petroleum derivatives that chemists speak of plastic. If this is improperly disposed of in any desert, it will not rot but pollute the environment.
The Stilettissimo Approach
For as long as we eat meat, hides will be a waste product that might as well be used to create something beautiful.
However, at Stilettissimo we have some rules to ensure animal welfare as far as we can, and I can assure you that none of the big brands does this:
AT STILETTISSIMO, WE EMBRACE ELEGANCE, CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND ETHICAL INTEGRITY WITH EVERY STEP.
Brigitte Kobi | Stilettissimo
- We only use leather from animals that are farmed and consumed. This means we will never use fur or skins from mink, snakes, or any other exotic animals.
- The leather we use has been tanned in Europe (France, Italy, or Germany) because the EU has strict regulations on importing and treating hides, which serves animal welfare and the environment. Moreover, this reduces the ecological footprint by avoiding unnecessary transport.
- I have spoken with dozens of tanneries to find out from which countries they source and have ruled out some because I disagreed with the country of origin.
- Whenever possible, we prioritise leather from overproduction, which reduces waste. Although more complicated to handle, we intend to use more of it.
Meanwhile, I continue to look for more innovations by visiting fairs and studying reports, as I believe in our ability to find solutions.
At Stilettissimo, we embrace elegance, craftsmanship, and ethical integrity with every step.
WE ARE YOUR SHOES
Next time, we speak about The Future.
STAY TUNED
