Natural cork, hay and organic cotton. These are some of the materials that make up the latest basket model to date designed by the Saola company in Annecy. The sole was made from a mix of recycled rubber and old crushed shoes.

Behind this astonishing composition, there is “the idea of ​​minimizing the use of new materials“, according to Guillaume Linossier, the creator of the brand. The small Haute-Savoie company is not at its first attempt. Since its creation in 2018, it has already given birth to several male and female models.

Only natural or recycled elements are used, without leather or materials of animal origin. Among the brand’s other items, some have been made from invasive algae stored in lakes or from recycled plastic bottles.

New clientele

With these innovations, the brand is making its way into the eco-responsible sneakers market, city sneakers. Sold both online and in stores, its products are aimed at a new clientele, concerned about respecting the environment. “What matters is the eco-designed aspect, lightness and comfort. We try to highlight these three characteristics through social networks», Explains Maxime Moreau, digital manager at Saola.

What about comfort? “It’s quite light, it’s comfortable“, testifies Alexandre Curdy, salesman of the Alpine side store in Annecy.”On the impression of having a slipper on the foot. The top of the shoe is like a sock. It’s elastic, it holds the ankle well. “

The models are designed in Annecy but manufactured in Portugal to control costs. And innovate again to limit the ecological footprint. “When we launched the brand, our desire was to bring as many innovative solutions as possible to the footwear market, which is now the second largest industry. [l’industrie textile, NDLR] the most polluting that existse “.