What Is AERA?
AERA is leading the luxury footwear industry forward by placing equal value on product, people, and the planet. This forward-thinking project blends high-quality design with a profound commitment to sustainability, ethical craftsmanship, and environmental responsibility. The shoes are certified vegan and crafted using non-animal ingredients, yet they still boast the quality and style expected of luxury footwear. Born out of the belief that doing good is as important as looking good, AERA creates timeless designs using eco-friendly materials and a strategy that not only minimizes but actively offsets environmental impact.
Main Benefits
AERA’s approach yields numerous benefits that stand out in the fashion and apparel industry. Key figures and facts include:
- Over 110% offset in Global Warming Potential (GWP) through reforestation of more than 120,000 acres and planting of over 2,000 trees.
- Restoration of 622,000 gallons of water with BEF Water Restoration Certificates©.
- Utilization of cutting-edge eco-friendly, solvent-free, and bio-based materials in both outerwear and linings.
- A certified B Corp status with an impressive bcorp score of 84.9, reinforcing its commitment to social and environmental accountability.
- A pioneering model in luxury footwear by leveraging Social Plastic® Collection Credits, ensuring each kilogram of plastic used is accounted for and responsibly recycled.
Ethical Craftsmanship
AERA’s commitment to ethical production is evident in every detail. For the outer material and the lining of the shoes, trusted partnerships with top Italian manufacturers of non-leather materials ensure that each pair of shoes is as stylish as it is sustainable. The chosen materials mimic leather to perfection while being completely vegan, offering a level of quality and durability that is hard to beat. It’s a thoughtful nod to the philosophy that a product can be luxurious and kind to the planet at the same time… and that message resonates strongly with today’s eco-conscious consumers.
Innovation and Sustainable Materials
AERA’s innovative approach permeates every aspect of its production. The footwear is constructed using a mix of cotton, synthetic materials, and other man-made components like polyester, polyurethane, polystyrene, and nylon. Despite the environmental challenges presented by synthetic alternatives, AERA tackles this by offsetting the plastics used in the manufacturing process. For instance, the signature sea glass-colored lining utilizes bio polyols derived from field corn – a sustainable attribute as it does not compete with food resources and has a smaller carbon footprint compared to petroleum-based options. Additionally, the Thunit® soles are crafted from a unique blend of synthetic rubber, inorganic mineral composites, and carefully selected additives, offering performance characteristics that rival traditional leather soles.
Strategic Environmental Offsetting
Every pair of shoes comes with a promise to the environment. AERA employs a meticulous “Cradle to Consumer” Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) conducted by SCS Global Services. These studies measure various environmental impacts including Global Warming Potential, Fresh Water Consumption, Ozone Depletion, Acidification, Eutrophication, Smog Potential, Fossil Fuel Depletion, and Primary Energy Demand. The insights gained from these studies guide offset strategies that include investments in reforestation projects, water restoration initiatives, and innovative plastic offset programs. AERA’s strategy goes beyond merely counting numbers – it means taking responsibility for every phase from production and transportation to storage and delivery, ensuring that each step reflects a genuine commitment to sustainability.
Project Impact
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – Emphasizing eco-friendly materials and offsetting production impacts.
- SDG 13: Climate Action – Investing in carbon and water offset projects to achieve a (nearly) carbon negative footprint.
- SDG 15: Life on Land – Reforesting vast areas of marginal farmland and supporting biodiversity.
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – Collaborating with certified organizations such as SCS Global Services and Plastic Bank to ensure transparency and verified sustainability claims.
Future Sustainability Vision
The future for AERA looks bright and dynamic. There is an ongoing commitment to evolving the materials and processes used in shoe production – with an ultimate goal of one day creating a product with zero environmental impact. Innovations include testing new eco-friendly materials and revising production techniques so that, eventually, the shoes could be manufactured entirely free of negative environmental effects. Even the packaging is thoughtfully designed; the shoe boxes are produced using paper comprised of 40% post-consumer recycled waste, 15% organic waste residues, and FSC certified ingredients, all of which contribute to a significantly reduced carbon footprint. Inside, 100% recycled tissue paper and a Global Organic Textile Standard certified cotton dust bag ensure that sustainability extends to every detail.
The project also acknowledges its lifecycle’s end-of-life strategy. Although the shoes are built to last, planning for a recycling initiative is already underway. Discussions with recycling partners aim to create a comprehensive take-back program that will allow customers to return their old AERA shoes for responsible recycling, effectively closing the loop and ensuring minimal environmental waste. This approach represents a significant step forward for the sustainable fashion industry, clearly positioning AERA not only as a leader in vegan luxury footwear but also as a pioneer in taking full responsibility for the entire lifecycle of its products… a true game changer in sustainable fashion.
