The sneaker industry is famously bad at environmental and ethical production, and NZ designer Oscar Anselmi – drawing upon his personal Overland Footwear family heritage – has created ethical sneaker brand, Collective Canvas. The new locally designed sneaker brand brings a combination of organic, natural materials and clean design to the New Zealand sneaker market with its recent debut.
The sneakers are made from durable 12.5oz organic cotton canvas and natural latex rubber, while the insoles are Eco-Ortholite®, made from sustainably sourced castor bean oil and natural cork.
While living in Amsterdam founder Oscar Anselmi became increasingly aware of the need for sustainable footwear options in an industry fuelled by the fast fashion cycle.
“Speed has come to define the modern fashion industry for all the wrong reasons. Collective Canvas was started in response to this relentless pace, to focus on sustainable creation and the promotion of mindful consumption.”
Anselmi has worked in the footwear industry for the past ten years, and comes from a family of fourth generation shoemakers – you may recognise his name from the Mi Piaci line, Isabella Anselmi – so he has a fine footwear heritage and shoes are clearly in his blood. Growing up wearing simple canvas sneakers, he saw their potential. Upon returning to New Zealand he founded Collective Canvas to provide timeless, well crafted sneakers that harness the principles of sustainability.
The streamlined product offering includes three unisex styles, in both lace-up and slip-on designs. All styles are available in sizes 36-47 and priced at $119.90.
The collection is now available online at www.collectivecanvas.com and you can follow their Instagram at instagram.com/collective_canvas
30 September 2018