Sustainability

De volledige VIA VAI collectie wordt gemaakt van hoogwaardige materialen die gecertificeerd en/of gerecycled zijn. Deze materialen moeten aansluiten bij de hedendaagse trends en goed aanvoelen, want comfort staat hoog bij ons in het vaandel.

Kwaliteit en duurzaamheid gaan dus hand in hand in ons sourcing- en selectieproces. Wij vertellen er je alles over; discover the journey van jouw favoriete VIA VAI items.

Discover the journey

drawing

The design of a new collection begins at the drawing board in Waalwijk. It still starts the traditional way: with pencil and paper. Up to eight hand-drawn sketches are made for each model. We aim for perfection down to the smallest details. Whether it's an eyelet, zipper, or tongue label - every element is thoughtfully crafted to create a truly unique result. And so, the shoe-love story begins…

materials

Material selection is crucial to the quality and durability of your new shoes. For our collections, we select only the most high-quality and sustainable materials - 84% of which come from Italy. At an international leather fair in Milan, our styling and production team make a critical selection by using their senses: seeing, smelling, feeling. We work exclusively with leather suppliers affiliated with the Leather Working Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to environmental certification in the global leather industry. Since 2023, we’ve been a member of the Leather Working Group ourselves, contributing to positive change. You can read more about what this means in our blog.

last

A hand-drawn sketch is the starting point for a technical, digital drawing. The foundation of our shoes is still created in Italy. Our Italian modelist defines the technical dimensions of each shoe with optimal fit as the starting point. This is where the shoe mold - known in footwear terms as the “last” - is developed. The last forms the base of every shoe’s fit.

soles

Our entire sneaker collection features soles we’ve designed and developed ourselves. From ultra-light EVA soles to recyclable thermoplastic rubber soles with foam - ultimate comfort and optimal cushioning are guaranteed. All sneaker sole production takes place exclusively in Portugal, where we use only recyclable materials for each sole.

Prototypes

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

Production

Once all prototypes are approved, production can begin. From that moment, our manufacturers receive the green light. From soles to leather and from zippers to eyelets — everything is shipped directly from our suppliers to Portugal, Spain, and Turkey to turn the components into a beautiful finished product. From the western stitching on cowboy boots to the laces in your sneakers - every detail is carefully and precisely crafted by hand to ensure the finest 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% van onze materialen komt uit Spanje.
3% van de productie vindt plaats in Spanje.

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.

  • Sneakers have become a staple on the streets. Their popularity comes from being a true fashion item that also offers exceptional comfort. As a result, mesh materials have started to play a bigger role in our collection.

    Part of our extensive sneaker collection features mesh lining. We exclusively use recycled mesh for this. Want to know more about the differences between leather and mesh lining? You’ll find all the details in our blog.

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Love & care

Finally - your new VIA VAI items have arrived! They’re exactly what you imagined: love at first sight. Of course, you want to keep them looking as fresh as the day you unboxed them, so you can enjoy them time and time again. With the right care, you'll also extend their lifespan. Win-win! In our blog, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about caring for and cleaning leather, suede, and mesh.

read the blog