Rieker
Fashion designers from Ethiopia make shoes from old car tires
19.03.2012 4632

Fashion designers from Ethiopia make shoes from old car tires

Ethiopian fashion designers are conquering the world catwalks with shoes from old car tires. The small Ethiopian firm at first took advantage of the long-standing habit of fellow countrymen to put into operation any things that had served their time, and also created new jobs. In the second most populous in Africa, but impoverished due to constant droughts, it is customary to value and use any junk. In addition, the rebels who overthrew the dictator Mengistu Haile Mariam 20 years ago were also shod in sandals made from a piece of an old tire tied from above with a piece of rope. However, shoes of this "design" are common in many African countries.

“Then we could not afford something better,” said 31-year-old Betlehem Tilahun Alemu, who created a company for the production of unusual shoes seven years ago, in which five people worked. True, she nevertheless finalized and developed the idea that had seized the masses, “refreshed” it. Now an enterprising woman leads a whole network of industries whose products are marketed not only in Ethiopia itself, but also in New York and London. The Soul Rebels brand has become popular, 300 people already make designer shoes.

Alema does not shy away from hiring socially outcasts: for example, she employs 55 people who have had leprosy and lost fingers. “At the same time, they are skilled craftsmen, they make shoes exclusively with their hands, and our factory has absolutely no emissions of greenhouse gases,” Alemu is proud.

Nowadays, the assortment of products includes not only sandals and slippers, but also shoes, high laced shoes. A proven tread is used as the sole, and jute, leather, cotton are sewn on top. True, the price jumped to 450-800 birr (26-46 dollars). Now, these shoes are not affordable for most Ethiopians, but are successfully sold in 33 countries around the world. 90 percent of the products are exported. Alemu has many international awards for product quality and original design. In the coming months, it is expected to open branded stores in Canada, Japan, Spain and Taiwan. Bags are added to the boots, the secret of success is the same: the base is made of an old tire, and the top is made of natural material, ITAR-TASS reports.

Fashion designers from Ethiopia conquer world catwalks with shoes from old car tires. A small Ethiopian company at first used the long-standing habit of fellow countrymen to float any who served their ...
5
1
Rating

Latest News

Adidas and Prada launch a collaborative collection of football boots

German sports giant adidas and the Italian luxury fashion house have unveiled the adidas Football for Prada collection, the world's first fashion collection of football boots. Shoe design incorporates the unique features of both brands,…
09.06.2023 139

Flo Retailing and Daher Group are bidders to buy the Russian business of Adidas

The negotiations of the Turkish holding Flo Retailing and the Middle East Daher Group with the German Adidas AG on the sale of the Russian retail chain adidas became known from real estate consultants, write…
09.06.2023 213

On June 10, an exhibition of light industry manufacturers of the Republic of Dagestan will be held in Makhachkala

Already this Saturday, June 10, the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Republic of Dagestan is holding an exhibition-fair of light industry goods in Makhachkala with the participation of local manufacturers, timed to coincide with the Day of Light and Textile Workers…
08.06.2023 337

Vans closes branded retail and moves to wholesale sales in Russia

The American VF Corporation, which owns the brands Vans, The North Face, Timberland and others, has decided to close Vans branded retail in Russia. However, the brand will not leave the market, the company will continue to develop the wholesale…
08.06.2023 290

In Pushkin, they are preparing to hold an art project with a defile of fashion designers "Association-2023"

On June 25 in Pushkin, the Tsarskoye Selo Museum-Reserve will host the main fashion event of the St. Petersburg summer - the art project "Associations-2023". Theatrical fashion shows of the leading fashion designers of St. Petersburg will be presented in a unique…
08.06.2023 278
When you sign up, you will receive weekly news and articles about the shoe business on your e-mail.

To the beginning