Viron
Founded in Paris in 2020 by Julian Romer and Mats Rombaut, the PETA-certified vegan label Virón is already enjoying global recognition. "Plant power, techno, and recycling" sums up the DNA of the French footwear brand. The fashionable street-style boots and shoes are definitely rave-approved, and many recycled materials are used. For example, recycled rubber for the soles, PET bottles, fishing nets, and plant-based leather alternatives made from leftovers from the food industry. Upcycling also plays a role in the choice of materials. Leftovers from military stocks, such as tarpaulins, are used for the uppers of some models.
In a world of overconsumption and environmental pollution, Virón sees itself as a counterculture brand – all collections are therefore named after years that commemorate milestones in the social and environmental movements of the respective generation. For example, 1992, the year in which the first United Nations congress was held to address climate change. This captures the zeitgeist – global stars such as Kendrick Lamar, Lewis Hamilton, Summer Dean, Emilie Lens, and Ed Winters have been spotted wearing the Parisian brand's trendy and sustainable shoes.
Of course, these super-cool shoes are also fairly produced. Namely, in a family business in Guimarães, Portugal, that specializes in vegan shoe manufacturing.
If that isn’t “future-proof” footwear, we don’t know what is!
