« Finding beautiful fashion that’s kind to both people & planet can be difficult and expensive. We’re helping to create a better future for both – at a fair price.”

Sustainable Makers is pleased to welcome a new brand to its marketplace: Brave Soles, the beautiful handmade shoes!

We share many values with this brand. All the collections are focused on crafting classically styled footwear and accessories with upcycled materials and ethical, small scale production chains.

The founder, Christal Earle had been working and learning from a local community of garbage dump workers since 2005 on the north coast of Dominican Republic. Among everything else is that garbage dump, there was also an overwhelming amount tire. They were a breeding ground for mosquitoes carrying deadly diseases and they were a toxic nightmare.

In 2010, an unexpected turn of events in Christal’s journey left her facing that she was going to have to rebuild her life between two countries. She was now torn between Canada, where her career was based, and the Dominican Republic where her adopted daughter couldn’t leave.

In early 2017, the idea struck for the first time. Why not use tires for soles on beautiful handmade shoes- and create a way to help the most vulnerable people in the process? Brave Soles was born out of her love for people, planet and great shoes.

This is the story of people like you: people who know they want to be proud of their choices.

MATERIALS:

Brave Soles fashion business model is focused on meaningful work, responsible production and within the reach of average consumers, could help inspire and create meaningful change.

The brand works towards completely upcycled products. Materials such as tires (3,253 tires upcycled), deadstock fabrics and leathers present endless opportunities for circular fashion designs.

Brave Soles is focused on crafting classically styled footwear and accessories.

Brave Soles chooses high-quality leather from the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Argentina

The leather is sourced in the Dominican Republic in a local tannery. The tannery works hard to be transparent about their process and they are a certified gold member of the Leather Working Group.

SHOEMAKERS:

The brand works with local artisans across the North Coast of the Dominican Republic

Brave Solves ensure that all employees and suppliers are employed ethically: from wages to vacation time to health care and working conditions

Brave Soles believes in the power of circular fashion to build a better future for all of us !