The Sydney Brown Shoes Review
While browsing Instagram recently, I came across a shoe. A marvelous rendering of an earthy purple/blue/brown high heel with a vegan label. I have a tendency to dismiss “vegan” brands pretty quickly. The term is diluted beyond recognition because it is so often used as a marketing ploy to sell cheap plastic. But I’m a curious sloth and, pulled in by the pretty colors and sleek design, I clicked.
The shoe I found on Instagram which led me to Sydney Brown Shoes
And oh how happy I am that I took the risk! The risk of yet another disappointment and hours of fuming about how “vegan-leather is not a real thing!!!” My poor puppy, the real victim, had to bear witness to my tirade. Sydney Brown Shoes is not that brand. Sydney Brown is in this fight with the rest of us, doing her best to do her best.
East Meets West
Inspired and guided by a minimalist Japanese aesthetic, the shoes are show-stopping events of simple pops of color, design by subtraction, and high-quality, innovative materials.
The Derby Marble is the perfect example of simple styling allowing for a focus on texture. Wrap your feet in cork bonded to organic cotton and float on heels carved from responsibly-sourced wood. The brand uses few synthetic materials, and those tend to be of the recycled variety.
One Of Fashion’s Dirty Little Secrets…
Shhh…Don’t tell anyone what I’m about to tell you…but there is glue in almost everything you own. The amount of glue in the fashion industry, and especially within the design and manufacture of shoes, is quietly ubiquitous. Without going too far down the rabbit hole, you should know that the vast majority of the glues available are derived from either animal or toxic sources. They are also incredibly dangerous to the environment and the employees, and are generally just yucky.
Harmful fumes intoxicate workers generated from latex, neoprene and adhesives used in shoe manufacturing.
What What What?!?
This is where I really sat up and took notice of the Sydney Brown brand. Not only do they publicly acknowledge the use of glue, they are actively trying to do something to make it better. In Sydney’s own words:
“Since at least 90% of shoes contain pig fat glue, developing new glues was a major priority. As water-based glues are much harder to work with and take much longer to dry, these were not suitable alternatives. For almost five years, I worked with adhesive chemists in the US, Italy, Portugal and the UK to develop and perfect our glues. I’m proud to say that now they are non-toxic and have no animal ingredients!”
I have to admit, reading that put a little flutter in my belly! For many companies glue is an admitted issue, but one they have been unable to resolve or even properly address. Sydney’s willingness to be so open about her materials and processes, and her obvious dedication to getting it right, are the elements that boost my shopping confidence. Many so-called sustainable businesses are simply donating money with no regard to manufacturing processes (aka green-washing). But a Sydney Brown shoe allows you to shut up and walk the walk!
The languid lines of the heel lead to the faux-nappa upper. “Polymers [are] derived from natural renewable sources [with] emissions at zero level” according to Ms Brown. I look at this clog and I see cold mornings with french press coffee in the backyard, days spent strolling botanical gardens and river banks, and cups of tea by the fireplace at night…
Treat Yo Self
So if you find yourself needing a new work-appropriate heel or flat, or a funky new pair of something sporty, embrace your vegan lifestyle (or just your meat-free days), forget about the leather, and treat yourself to a little pared-back luxury and whispered statement.
Thanks, great article.