It's time again for the ultimate FAQ! Today it's about VEJA, a brand that only produces sustainable shoes. In the VEJA FAQ, we check for you how sustainable VEJA really is!
Who is VEJA?
Have you already seen these sneakers with the ‘V’? You probably have, because VEJA is now a super popular brand. The word ‘VEJA’ is Portuguese, by the way, and means something like ‘look’. We don't need to be told twice - we take a close look at the brand in the VEJA FAQ!
The History of VEJA
The brand was founded in 2005 by Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion and has been working ever since to produce sneakers that are good for our planet. Among other things, organic cotton is used and the focus is on naturally tanned leather. If you want to know what natural tanning means, click here. We answered this question in our last FAQ.
Before founding VEJA, the pair went on a journey to take a closer look at the development of prices for raw materials and the production of the sneakers. Kopp and Morillion were missing a few things: fair working conditions, above-average raw material prices, vegan and natural materials and sustainable production. It is precisely for this reason that VEJA is now focusing on these points.
Nowadays, they have managed to initiate a rethink in the sneaker scene. With a VEJA sneaker, you can be part of this change.
The Ultimate VEJA FAQ
Is VEJA always vegan?
No, there are also models from VEJA that are not vegan. In some cases, the brand also uses high-quality leather. However, the leather and the cattle farms are tanned with chemical-free acacia extract instead of virgin forest. But for the most part, you will find vegan sneakers here.
How sustainable is VEJA really?
VEJA sneakers are mostly vegan and all models are produced sustainably. The brand sources all raw materials from Brazil and Peru: organic cotton for canvas and laces, natural rubber for the soles and vegetable-tanned leather for the uppers. VEJA also helps local organic farmers to make a living from their products. They have opted for soles made from natural rubber to prevent further deforestation of the rainforest.
If you want to find out more about VEJA, you can watch the YouTube video that we have included for you below. Here VEJA explains its mission:
Where does the VEJA brand come from?
The sneakers are manufactured in Brazil and Peru. Here, VEJA works together with producers of organic cotton and natural rubber. The shoes are sewn in factories that follow the rules of the International Labour Organization (ILO). This makes VEJA five times more expensive to produce than standard sneakers.
How do VEJA fit?
VEJA sneakers are usually true-to-size. However, you need to be careful with some models. We'll tell you the right sizing for each VEJA model here!
How do VEJA V-10 fit?
With the VEJA V-10, you should always size down half a size. This is because the shoes are larger than normal. However, you also need to bear in mind that the shoes may stretch a little depending on the upper material.
How do VEJA Campo fit?
The VEJA Campo has a normal fit. The sneakers also have a common cut, so they are usually no problem for wide or narrow feet.
How do VEJA Rio Branco fit?
The VEJA Rio Branco fits True-To-Size. This means you can stick to your normal size. Thanks to the flexible upper, you won't have any problems even with wider feet.
How do VEJA Esplar fit?
The VEJA Esplar has a narrower cut and a thinner sole than the other VEJA models. If you have very wide feet, you can therefore go up half a size. Otherwise, the shoe fits normally.
What is so special about VEJA shoes?
What makes VEJA special are its Fairtrade sneakers and its 100% transparency. The brand is also sustainable right down to its DNA. From the laces to the soles, the sneakers are manufactured under fair working conditions using organic and sustainable materials.
