Join the Cult of Veja: The New Ethically Made Sneakers Hitting Shelves at Glue Store
It’s a white sneaker, not exactly groundbreaking. But Veja (pronounced Vay-jah) has taken on the challenge of lessening the carbon footprint of one of the most disastrous fashion items for the planet. Sneakers are known to produce 1.4% of all global greenhouse gas emissions as of 2020. This is an alarmingly high number considering that air travel is responsible for 2.5% of all emissions, and the manufacturing process of sneakers does not require comparable quantities of electricity or machinery.
Since 2005, Veja has been making sneakers from ethically sourced alternative materials. Opting for organic cotton, wild rubber from the Amazon, vegetable tanned leather, and recycled plastic bottles has helped them reduce the initial impacts of manufacturing on the planet. Veja sources materials in Brazil and pays production line workers a premium to ensure a livable wage and reduce the allure of the logging industry as a more profitable alternative.
So it’s no wonder that the most fashionable and environmentally conscious celebrities are adopting the versatility of the Veja sneaker for themselves.
Emma Watson
Emma Watson is known for her work promoting intersectional feminism just as much as she is known for her acting. Here she is seen sporting a pair of Vejas with a stylish oversized coat and black beret. Or just as chic, an oversized knit with white jeans and Vejas.
Meghan Markle
After making her mark as a soap star on the popular legal drama Suits, Meghan Markle cemented herself as a voice at the forefront of feminism and activism for gender equality in developing countries. In 2015 she became a U.N Women’s Advocate for Women’s Political Participation and Leadership. During her tour of Australia with her husband, she was spotted sporting a pair of Veja V-10's with black pants and a windbreaker for an overcast Sydney day.
Kate Middleton
Kate Middleton’s stylists ensure that she is always at the forefront of sophistication. While attending to her royal duties, Kate has been seen wearing low-profile Vejas on more than one occasion. The versatility of the crisp design has seen her pair them with lady-like dresses as well as pants and blazers for her more rugged engagements.
Reese Witherspoon
Reese Witherspoon may not be in the royal family, but she is considered royalty down south in her home state of Louisiana. The multi-faceted actress has brought us comedy classic, Legally Blonde, as well as emotional drama, Wild, reminding us why she has an Academy Award and two Golden Globes. In her downtime she runs her own fashion label, a book club on Instagram, and a media outlet which highlights women’s voices. Vejas are on her constant rotation – which is saying something for a woman with countless stylists at her disposal. She often pairs them with a dress and a chunky knit on top for the colder months.
Emily Ratajkowski
Model, actress, and entrepreneur, Emily Ratajkowski, released her first book in 2021. “My Body” is an extended essay disseminating the “cult of beauty” as defined by men. It became an instant bestseller – a testament to the nuanced discussion of women’s’ bodies in the fashion and modelling industry. Emily wears Vejas on repeat, opting for a sleek white pair and hitting the streets in them for the ultimate model off duty look.
