Back-to-school (green) resolutions
Driven by a strong desire to create more sustainable fashion, we at JULES & JENN have always been committed to using ethically sourced raw materials. That's why we began by working with the most sustainable material available for shoes: leather. Aware of the potential risks associated with leather, we carefully monitor its origin and processing to ensure that all the leather we use respects both people and the environment. In fact, we adhere to an " eco-design " approach, which encompasses all production methods that minimize the environmental impact of a product or service throughout its entire lifecycle.
Alongside leather, and in line with a general trend towards reduced meat consumption, we have chosen to develop items using recycled and upcycled materials, while keeping in mind our commitment to comfort and sustainability. This season, we are further intensifying our exploration of new, even more eco-friendly alternative materials.
Indeed, after conducting our first carbon footprint assessment in 2021, which allowed us to evaluate the carbon footprint of our activities over a full 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 best practices, such as upcycling, recycling, and the sustainability of our products, had prevented the emission of 491 tonnes of CO2e! Determined to continue along this path, we invested in research to find, in partnership with our European partner workshops, increasingly 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 is a very durable insulator, also ideal for long-lasting shoes.
At JULES & JENN, wood takes center stage in our wooden clogs and heeled sandals . Even the rubber sole is phthalate-free! Wood scraps are recycled to heat the workshop and dry the soles.
Cork , on the other hand, offers natural waterproofing, a pleasant lightness, and good durability. It's used in mules with soles made of cork chips and recyclable rubber. 100% eco-friendly, right?
Corn and apple fiber
Two new materials with a strong natural component are making a statement this season!
Corn gives rise to a 100% vegan sneaker made with 43% biopolyols derived from non-food, non-GMO European corn and wheat crops. Made in Italy, our Velcro sneaker perfectly mimics leather thanks to its microfiber lining.
Apple fiber, on the other hand, is made from crushed apple waste transformed into a flexible and durable material. Winner of a Green Carpet Fashion Award, it is used in our strappy heel mules made in Portugal. An innovative and award-winning material!
Flax and hemp
The flax is grown in France without pesticides or irrigation. It's used for our women's sneaker, which features a sole made from 70% recycled rubber and metal-free embroidered eyelets. Local and recyclable!
Hemp , twice as strong as cotton, grows without water or chemical inputs. 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.
