11 Artisan-Made Ethical Sandals Celebrating Craftsmanship and Slow Design
Image via Christy Dawn
We love and respect artisan-made, slow fashion because it preserves traditional craftsmanship, celebrates cultural diversity, and supports local communities in sustainable ways. In addition, artisans are usually paid premium for their skills and knowledge passed down through generations, and the materials they tend to use are also more likely to be ones readily available, slow-made from their local regions (as opposed to mass produced materials churned out mindlessly to meet huge volumes of fast fashion market demand).
So when it comes time to travel this season, whether to a nearby town or across the globe, we'll be getting adventurous in our artisan-made sandals, treasured old sandals we already own, and exciting pre-loved finds from our favorite online second hand retailers.
If you're a slow fashion fan like us, here are 12 conscious sandals brands championing artisanal craft while supporting sustainable community development to check out.
This guide contains affiliate links, which means we will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you if you choose to purchase through some of these links. This helps us continue to create these free resources for you! As always, we only feature brands we love (and that we think you'll love too!) and that meet CFC's strict sustainability criteria.
ABLE
Highlights: Transparently handcrafted in Ethiopia, Mexico, Peru, and Tennessee; provides employment for vulnerable women
Investment: $$$
Nisolo
Highlights: Transparently made by artisans in Peru, Mexico, and Kenya; vegetable-tanned leather in select styles
Investment: $$$
Christy Dawn
Highlights: Made from locally-sourced, upcycled reclaimed leather; ethically crafted in Los Angeles by makers earning fair wages (learn more about how these sandals were made)
Investment: $$$
Proud Mary Footwear
Highlights: The perfect carefree footwear for summer, Proud Mary's sustainable sandals are made from raffia and leather by makers in Morocco earning fair wages and working in a positive community-centered environment
Investment: $$
KYMA
Highlights: Handmade by craftsman in Greece with vegetable-tanned leather; triple-layered sole for comfort
Investment: $$$
Brother Vellies
Highlights: Handmade in South Africa, Ethiopia, Kenya and Morocco; celebrates traditional African footwear; uses mindfully sourced materials
Investment: $$$$
Indosole
Highlights: B Corp certified; uses up-cycled tires as soles and natural rubber footbeds; supports local artisans; vegan
Investment: $$
Insecta
Highlights: Made in Brazil from recycled plastic bottles; vegan
Investment: $$$
Darzah
Highlights: Hand-embroidered and handcrafted using heritage techniques in Palestine's West Bank; WOC-owned nonprofit creating economic opportunities for refugee women
Investment: $$
Coclico
Highlights: Made by artisanal crafters in Spain with third party certifications; uses natural components, including leather from local tanneries
Investment: $$$$
Fortress of Inca
Highlights: Handmade by artisans in Peru out of high-quality, vegetable-tanned leather and other natural materials
Investment: $$$
