“Necessity is the mother of invention,” an ancient proverb that best sums up the beginning of MINK shoes, a brand founded by Rebecca Mink and responsible for the first luxury vegan shoe in the world. MINK has since been offering traceable, vegan, and sustainable shoes since 2000.
Rebecca Mink began her career as a Celebrity Stylist and as such was able to meet many women interested in cruelty free clothing and footwear. One of her earliest clients included Pamela Anderson, a passionate animal activist and vegan for over 20 years. More and more vegan and non vegan celebrities alike support and desire a beautiful pair of MINK shoes, such as Oscar winner Natalie Portman and Singer/Songwriter Miley Cyrus.
“I’ve been an animal-activist since I was little, rolling nickels and quarters and sending them off to animal causes.” Pamela Anderson
Supple, breathable, durable are some of the known reasons consumers buy leather. Famous designer labels lean on leather for some of their most extravagant designs. However, with technology advancing leather may not be the best option. For those of you not familiar with the environmental issues with leather, let’s discuss.
The process of leather is both tedious and harmful for the environment. Extreme waste of resources both energy and water is expended on the tanning, dyeing and finishing process. Toxic chemicals including heavy metals, oils and formaldehyde are used, which are not only harmful to the environment, but to the health of people. Read more here.
Also, for animal lovers, wearing leather may be a different story entirely. Those who want to have fun with fashion and embrace many styles do not want to do so at the expense of the lives of animals.
As we circle back to the reasons that leather is such a sought after material, we must discuss the alternatives. Over the years, vegan leather alternatives may have been disappointing to those diehard leather fans and savvy consumers. Shoes are meant to be functional as well as beautiful. Upscale fashion designers rely on the tactile qualities of shoes made from leather as well as the look.
MINK has been able to not only match the unique quality, but also truly deserve the right to call their shoes “vegan leather.” As Rebecca points out, it is important to deliver on the messaging to reduce any doubts those have on leather alternatives. For instance, if a manufacturer calls the product vegan cheese and it does not even resemble cheese then why not call it a delicious cashew Pâté?! In that same vein, if a manufacturer describes their shoes as vegan leather, but the product is subpar at best, it gives a stigma for all vegan leather alternatives, of which there are many and not all are created equal.
This brings us to the different types of vegan leather. Traditionally or most common are various PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) and PU (Polyurethane) materials, a synthetic plastic option. Sadly, this may solve the animal cruelty issue, but not necessarily the environmental concerns. These synthetic alternatives still use many toxins that pollute our environment.
MINK tackles both concerns by creating and developing next level materials that utilize sustainable and cruelty free fibers. Rebecca is not only the Founder of MINK shoes, but she is the part owner of a highly prestigious, incomparable, Italian Factory, one that already produces the likes of Christian Louboutin, Jimmy Choo and Gucci by master artisans.
After two decades a global shift to sustainable and vegan consumption is well underway, and MINK in 2021 is expanding by inventing a new high-performance plant-based leather made from recycled vegetable waste. MINK is ready to make a supreme vegan leather to sell to the worldwide market. MINK partners with legendary multi-generational Italian skilled leather artisans making the same products vegan, with a noticeably less carbon footprint. Currently, MINK is collaborating with the University of Milan on designing a leather alternative using vegetable and olive waste, to continue to create not only the most deluxe visually and to the touch vegan leather, but performance driven as well.
In addition to a superior product, Rebecca has created a culture of which to be proud. Kindness, compassion, and fair both in conduct and wages is the company ethos. During an unprecedented global pandemic, MINK was able to keep workers employed. Kindness is at the helm of company culture and that means valuing all who work with MINK. Fair wages are a non negotiable. Rebecca states that it should not be possible to purchase a pair of shoes for dirt cheap. Many hands create and build shoes. They not only need to be compensated appropriately, but the quality should be viewed as investment pieces. A cheaply purchased pair of shoes is tantamount to a cheaply made pair of shoes. A well made shoe is built to last, to endure, to stand the test of time without falling apart or going out of style. This is another way that MINK reduces their waste.
MINK is a relatively small company making it agile and flexible to the needs of both individual customers and larger projects for both collaborations and private label. Sizing is not only inclusive, but expansive for those who may be left out from other brands.
This is an exciting time, not just for MINK, but for the vegan leather industry, one that is poised to be worth $89.6 billion by 2025. Technology is catching up to the imagination of the innovators. MINK released its newest collection of fabulous loafers, which are available for pre-order. Shoe orders are created as they are purchased to reduce waste from mass production and allow any size requirements to be accommodated. MINK will also be debuting new shoe designs each month and will even introduce a men’s collection.
Rebecca Mink is a craftswoman, a pioneer, and an inspiration. She attributes her success to her unwavering passion, which keeps her determined, motivated and able to endure any and all challenges of being a woman business owner. Advice that she passes on to all those on the fencepost of starting their own business? Remember, you will never quit when the road gets bumpy if you have the passion… and the right pair of shoes 😉
Please be sure to follow MINK on Instagram @minkshoes for all the latest updates.
