AERA

AERA is leading the luxury footwear industry forward by placing equal value on product, people and the planet.

Our shoes are certified Vegan. We went to great lengths to ensure that all components are made from non-animal ingredients, yet still maintain the quality and style expected from a luxury shoe.

We use as many eco-friendly materials as possible, always ensuring that the end result is of the highest quality. We are committed to evolving our materials, with the ultimate goal to one day be able to create a shoe with zero environmental impact to begin with.

Our outer materials are made of cotton and man-made materials such as polyester, polyurethane, poly-viscose, polystyrene and nylon. We acknowledge that these synthetic alternatives have unique environmental concerns of their own, and to address this, we are working to offset the plastics used in the making of our shoes by 110% (see below "Offsetting our impact by 110%").

Our signature sea glass-colored lining contains bio polyols, elements derived from plant materials that do not divert resources necessary for food farms or animal feed, as they are made from field corn (i.e. yellow dent) produced for ethanol and for manufactured goods. Field corn is not viable for human consumption, thus its use does not have an impact on the price of edible corn. The raw material used to make bio polyols has a smaller environmental footprint than petroleum-based alternatives, saving on CO2 emissions, and is fully biodegradable. The lining also contains polyurethane partly obtained from renewable sources.

For our soles, we use Thunit®, a unique material made in Italy. According to its manufacturer, it is known as the “best alternative to leather, as it is almost identical.” The flexibility, abrasion resistance, and water-resistant characteristics of this material guarantee that the performance is even better than its leather sole counterpart. Thunit® is made of 50% synthetic rubber, 40% inorganic mineral composts (silicones and mixed clay), and 10% additives (fastenings, pigments and plasticizers).

All women’s heels (other than those in the Bianca platform and the Brigitte ballerina) are made of 100% recycled ABS plastic. Those with a high heel are also outfitted with a steel rod for extra support. The heel of the Bianca platform is made of 100% wood (for the back heel) and 100% EVA (for the front support). All men’s and genderfluid heels are made of 80% wood and 20% TPU.

Based on the results of the LCA, we then work to offset all of our environmental impacts by 110%, and even go a step further, and invest to offset our use of plastics by 110% as well. The "110% offset" philosophy is the core of our commitment to not only neutralize the impact of our business on the planet, but to also help it heal.