NEUAURA - Shoes

NEUAURA Shoes photographed in Neerj Organic Catalog
www.neergorganic.com

Brazil Factory Visit - August 2009

Last week I took a trip to Brazil to work on my next collection and to also learn more about the eco-friendly aspect of the factory and the region where the factory is located. The factory is located in the southern part of Brazil (where a good portion of the footwear factories are located). It is situated in the mountains surrounded by lush greenery. The people that reside in this area are predominantly German and Italian descent and come from a generation of footwear manufacturers. Since they live in an area surrounded by so much greenery they also understand the importance of preserving the eco-system. A perfect match for Neuaura!

Brazil - Factory Visit - 09 - Recycling at the Factory

During my trip, I also visited the recycling facility which plays a major role in bringing awareness to the manufacturers and the community in the region. This facility recycles the scraps and waste that is created during manufacturing by the footwear factories and other facilities. In the factory that produces Neuaura shoes, every work station has about 5 color coded trash bins. Each color indicates the type of trash to throw into that bin. The factory then organizes the waste accordingly and sends it to the recycling facility. The recycling facility sorts the waste by type. (They also check each bag to make sure the factory separated correctly. If they failed to do so they send it back to the factory to correct. When you see the images of this recycling facility, it is amazing how organized they are.)

Brazil - Factory Visit - 09 - Recycling at the Factory

The employees of this facility are required to sift through so much waste and scrap on a daily basis that the facility compensates them generously to keep them motivated day after day.

About 65% of the scraps and waste the facility receives is recycled. Whichever portion is non-recyclable, they store it in an area nearby. The non-recycled waste can be potentially toxic to the land so they created a layer between the ground and the waste so that no chemicals or toxins can seep into the ground. As new technology is discovered to recycle this waste, they know exactly where it is stored. They transport it back into their facility and send it out for recycling. They also work very closely with universities in various parts of the world on the research and development of these technologies.

Brazil - Recycling Facility Staff

This facility is run by ecologists. The person I met with, Giovanna, spent about 1.5 hr giving me a thorough explanation and a tour of the facility. (She only spoke in Portuguese so my factory associate, Mauricio, translated. It also pleased me to know that Mauricio was just as interested in the subject and cause and not just merely translating!)

Giovanna and her staff are big believers in teaching the next generation about the importance of recycling and the preservation of our planet. They run several art programs and workshops with the local schools. They teach children to create art with the scraps which helps instill a mindset to think twice before throwing something away. Educating the community and the next generation is one of their top priorities as they know that this has to become a way of life. There is no other facility in the world that has this set up. Giovanna informed me that the UN visited their site to learn more about what they are doing. At the end of my visit, I realized that Giovanna and her staff are ecologists at heart and have taken the responsibility in their community to help people change their ways fundamentally.

Wall Street Journal Article - Critter-Friendly Grows Up

It used to be that synthetic shoes looked fake and cheaply made.
But now, a growing number of manufacturers are launching stylish shoes marketed as vegan and animal-friendly for women who don’t want any animal products in their footwear. And thanks to advances in synthetic materials such as faux leather and faux suede over the past decade, they look more fashionable and feel relatively comfortable.
Shira Kronzon/The Wall Street Journal
We tried a combo of boots, flats and heels
They are also available in a greater variety of prices and styles. We tried a combo of boots, flats and heels and thought that, for the most part, they looked well-made. All claimed to be made without any animal products.
Vegan fashion is a growing trend, says Michael McGraw, spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. “Times have never been better for vegan fashion,” he says. “Vegan apparel and accessories companies are sprouting up everywhere in the U.S.”
Here’s a look at the latest styles, which we tested out—and modeled—around the newsroom:
OlsenHaus Balance
Price: $198; Availability: olsenhaus.com
Comment: Made of natural linen with microfiber. The heels are three inches—too high for the office but good for a dinner date. We loved the Velcro strap that was easy to tighten around the ankle.
Neuaura Narmada Boot
Price: $165; Availability: next month at neuaurashoes.com
Comment: They are flat and looked practical enough to wear to work or on the weekend. The boots—tan with brown cuffs at the top—look like leather from a distance. Up close, the stitching along the zipper looked slightly haphazard compared with the higher-end boots (the company says those available for retail will be more finessed). We thought they were a good buy for the price.
Stella McCartney Faux Suede Over-the-Knee Platform Boots With Gold-Triangle Heel Detail
Price: $1,235; Availability: Stella McCartney stores, stellamccartney.com
Comment: The boots hit above the knees. We liked how the black faux suede, which looked real, fit tightly around the calf. They looked great for going out at night—for the brave women who can manage not to fall in platform shoes with 3.75-inch lacquered plastic heels.
TOMS in Vegan Arabesque/Soft Blue Stripe
Price: $49; Availability: tomsshoees.com
Comment: We loved these comfy flats, appropriate for walking around in jeans on a weekend. The top part is made with hemp and recycled plastic bottles. The bottom is recycled rubber. The insole is faux suede. —Anjali Athavaley

We need your help to find a home for a dog that a friend is fostering.

Jackson is a 1 year old puppy. He is a burmese/shepard mix, completely house broken and has been cleared for worms and lyme. He is not neutered but will be done at the expense of the foster home before he is adopted.

Jackson was found on a highway in Pennsylvania and picked up by the cops and brought to a shelter. He is a super cute, loving, friendly dog who is in need of a caring and loving family.

If you cannot adopt Jackson, please help spread the word to others. Much appreciated!!!

NEUAURA