Animal-Free Materials with Time-Honoured Techniques

The 'upper' or outer surface of the shoe is a tightly woven velvet with a smooth, deep pile. We use a highly performant synthetic blend, pressed during manufacturing to give it a dense, lustrous texture. Currently, we are developing a more sustainable cotton alternative with a natural appearance and equal feel.

A thin, sweat-wicking polyester microfibre, which offers durable, breathable comfort.

A strong, lightweight wood, with a degree of flexibility, characterised by its smooth texture and beautiful grain. A hand-turning process achieves their shape—traditional, manual carving utilising specialised tools. They are then stained and varnished to seal against water. Beechwood trees grow quickly, making it a relatively renewable resource.

Tunit is a synthetic rubber compound consisting of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and other additives. While it's the least sustainable component of our shoe, currently, it's the only available material that matches the performance of its leather counterpart. However, we are in the process of developing a custom biodegradable material derived from mushrooms, which will soon replace Tunit.

Fibreboard consists of layers of cellulosic materials bonded by binders under high pressure and temperatures to create a firm and hard sheeting material. It reinforces the shoe's waist and heel seat, providing stability. We use a medium-flex fibreboard to maintain the Isobels' shape and low toe-spring, while ensuring the shoe feels light and agile—ready for a dance.

Zamak is an alloy primarily composed of zinc, with aluminium, magnesium, and copper. It's commonly used in manufacturing due to its low melting point, high strength, and corrosion resistance. To protect the buckles from oxidation and degradation, they undergo a process called "galvanic" treatment.