Materials & origin

The entire VIA VAI collection is made from high-quality materials that are certified and/or recycled. These materials are selected to reflect current trends and feel great to wear - because comfort is one of our top priorities. Quality and sustainability go hand in hand in our sourcing and selection process. We’ll tell you all about it - discover the journey behind your favorite VIA VAI loafers, moccasins and slingbacks.

Discover the journey

drawing

The design of a new loafer begins at the drawing board in Waalwijk. It’s still done the traditional way: with pencil and paper. Up to eight hand-drawn sketches are created for each model. We aim for perfection down to the finest details. Whether it’s an eyelet or decorative band - every feature is carefully considered to create a truly unique result. And so, the shoe-love story begins…

materials

Material selection is essential to the quality and lifespan of your new loafers or slingbacks. For our collections, we use only the most premium and sustainable materials - 84% of which are sourced from Italy. At an international leather fair in Milan, our styling and production teams make a critical selection by trusting their senses: looking, smelling, and feeling. We work exclusively with leather suppliers affiliated with the Leather Working Group, a global non-profit organization committed to environmental certification in the leather industry. Since 2023, we’ve been members ourselves, contributing to positive change. You can read more about what that means in our blog.

last

A hand-drawn sketch is the starting point for a technical digital drawing. The foundation of our loafers is still laid in Italy. Our Italian pattern maker defines the technical dimensions of each loafer, always starting with the ideal fit. This is where we design the mold - also known as the “last” - which determines the fit of every shoe.

soles

Prototypes

Lasts and soles designed, materials selected, and colors picked? Check! This is the moment the first prototypes arrive in Waalwijk. It’s the very first version of a new loafer - refined until it’s perfect in both fit and design. Did you know we have an actual fit panel at VIA VAI? Each loafer is tested on five different feet before it goes into production.

Production

Once all prototypes are approved, production can begin. From that moment on, our manufacturers receive the go-ahead. From soles to leather - all materials go straight from our suppliers to Portugal, Spain, and Turkey to be crafted into a beautiful final product. There, everything is carefully and precisely assembled by hand to ensure the highest quality finish.

packaging

After a thorough quality check at both the factory and our headquarters, your new fashion favorites are ready to be packaged. All our packaging is made from FSC-certified paper, sourced from responsibly managed forests.

delivery

When it comes to shipping parcels, transportation plays a key role. Our regular transport partners follow an active CO₂ emissions policy. In addition, we are constantly looking for alternative solutions ourselves. We encourage customers to use pick-up points, operate as paperless as possible, and aim to minimize returns wherever we can.

How it's made

Handcrafted in Europe

Italy

84% of our materials are sourced from Italy.

SPAIN

9% of our materials are sourced from Spain.
3% of our production takes place in Spain.

Portugal

4% of our materials are sourced from Portugal.
95% of our production takes place in Portugal.

turkey

3% of our materials are sourced from Turkey.
2% of our production takes place in Turkey.

We work exclusively with certified European manufacturers, tanneries, and fabric suppliers. We highly value the relationships with our partners and invest in long-term collaborations. We know all our partners personally - and with some, we’ve been working together for over 20 years. Shoe love is true love!

Our manufacturers have signed a code of conduct confirming they work in accordance with agreed conditions. A code of conduct is a supplier guideline that ensures compliance with standards in areas such as labor conditions, environmental impact, legal regulations, and maintaining a safe and responsible work environment. We visit our manufacturers regularly to ensure these standards are upheld.

more about materials

Traceability and transparency are incredibly important in VIA VAI’s production process. They form the foundation of our sustainability goals. The more we know about every step in the production chain, the more we can do to reduce our environmental and social impact. That’s why our entire sourcing and selection process is handled in-house.

We also believe it’s essential to have clear insight into the origin of our materials. For 100% of our materials, we trace both the country of production and - in the case of leather - the animal’s origin. The methods of tanning and finishing are also fully documented.

  • Leather is made from processed and tanned animal hides. All the leather we use is a by-product of existing food production. As a brand, we choose to work exclusively with tanneries that are members of the Leather Working Group. Leather is also highly durable and resistant to wear, which contributes to the long lifespan of your VIA VAI items.

  • Unlike smooth leather, suede is made from the underside of the hide rather than the top. This part of the hide is much softer than the outer layer. For all our suede colors, we collaborate with our dedicated suede supplier, who has earned a silver rating from the Leather Working Group.

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Love & care

Finally - your new VIA VAI loafers or slingbacks have arrived! They’re exactly as you imagined: love at first sight. Of course, you want to keep them looking like new so you can enjoy them again and again. And with the right care, you’ll also extend their lifespan. Win-win! In our blog, we share everything you need to know about caring for and cleaning leather and suede.

read the blog