Back-to-school (green) resolutions
Driven by a strong desire to create more sustainable fashion, at JULES & JENN, we have always made sure to prioritize the use of ethical raw materials. This is why we began by working with the most sustainable material available today for shoes: leather. Aware of the potential hazards of leather, we strive to track its origin and processing to ensure that all the leather we use respects people and the environment. Indeed, we are part of an " eco-design " approach, which refers to all the production methods that reduce the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its life cycle.
Alongside leather, and in a general trend towards less meat consumption, we have chosen to develop items using recycled and upcycled materials, while keeping in mind our imperatives of comfort and sustainability. This season, we are further intensifying the exploration of new alternative materials, even more eco-friendly.
Indeed, after carrying out our first carbon assessment in 2021, which allowed us to assess the carbon footprint of our activities over an entire year, we identified concrete areas for improvement for our company. While our carbon footprint in 2020 amounted to 1,093 tonnes of CO2e (72% of which came from our raw materials), we also discovered that our good practices, such as upcycling, recycling, and the sustainability of our products, had prevented the emissions of 491 tonnes of CO2e! Determined to continue on this path, we invested in research to unearth, in partnership with our European partner workshops, ever more innovative and environmentally friendly materials. Let's discover them!
Wood and cork
When we think of natural and traditional materials, wood often comes to mind. It's a highly durable insulator, making it ideal for durable footwear.
At JULES & JENN, wood takes pride of place in our wooden clogs and sandals with wooden heels . Even the rubber sole is phthalate-free! Wood waste is recycled to heat the workshop and dry the soles.
Cork , on the other hand, offers natural waterproofing, pleasant lightness and good durability. It is used in mules with soles made of cork chips and recyclable rubber. 100% eco-responsible, right?
Corn and apple fiber
Two new materials with a strong natural component are essential this season!
Corn gives birth to a 100% vegan sneaker made from 43% biopolyols sourced from non-food, GMO-free European corn and wheat crops. Made in Italy, our Velcro sneaker perfectly simulates leather thanks to its microfiber lining.
Apple fiber comes from crushed apple waste and transformed into a soft and durable material. Winner of a Green Carpet Fashion Award, it's used in our bandeau heel mules made in Portugal. An innovative and award-winning material!
Flax and hemp
Linen is grown in France without pesticides or irrigation. It's used for our women's sneakers, which feature a 70% recycled rubber sole and metal-free embroidered eyelets. Local and recyclable!
Hemp , twice as strong as cotton, grows without water or chemical additives. It will be used in our future denim espadrille, co-created with Atelier Tuffery using canvas woven in the Lot region.
This collection is part of a long-term strategy to achieve a 30% reduction in our total carbon footprint by 2024. Thank you to all our partner workshops for their sustainable commitment.
