The True Cost of Fast Fashion and Why Womads Choose Different

What Gets Lost in the Race to the Bottom

When I started Womads, I didn't have everything figured out and I certainly still don't.

But I knew a few things from the beginning: I wanted to make shoes that last. I wanted to know the people making them. I wanted to be able to talk openly about every part of the process.

Not because I had all the answers, but because those things mattered to me.

I didn't want to create shoes that fall apart after a season. I didn't want to hide how things were made or who was making them. I didn't want to contribute to a system built on speed and disposability.

Fast fashion operates on a simple formula: produce fast, sell cheap, repeat endlessly.

To hit those low prices, something has to give. And it's usually the things you can't see in a product photo but feel every single time you put your shoes on.

So we chose a different path. Not perfect, but intentional.

These are a few choices that have always felt right.

The Artisans Behind Womads

We partner with a small, family-run factory in Colombia. We create our products in small batches, so that we are intentionally creating what we need and not more. Our shoes are handcrafted by individuals who have these incredible skills, seriously they are very talented. I love visiting the factory because I am so amazed about the precision and passion in their work. 

One program I am particularly proud of is the company allows mothers to work from home while caring for their families. It gives them income and flexibility, a touch that I really loved hearing about. 

Quality Materials, Inside and Out

And for Womads all details matter, not just the ones you see but also what you feel. Premium Colombian Leather

We use full-grain Colombian leather— It's leather that gets better with time, not worse. It develops character, molds to your feet, becomes uniquely and perfectly yours. So when we say it's made to last, I promise we are being serious. 

And a hill I'd die on, we will never ever use synthetic linings. Only leather inside and out. That means your shoes and your feet can breathe. They don't trap heat and moisture the way plastic-lined shoes do and they won't smell after a long day which is always a huge win.

Specialized Italian Shoe Elastic

The elastic in our shoes is sourced from Italy—it was a bit hard to find and absolutely worth it.The elastic holds its shape season after season so the shoe will always stay together. It doesn't sag, snap, or lose tension the way cheap elastic does. 

Natural Rubber Soles, Not PlasticWe use natural rubber for our soles which is why our shoes can be flexible, and sustainable. One of my favorite features of Womads is how easy they are to pack and slip on. Because they are flexible you are easily able to store them and super easy to just throw on your feet. 

And an extra bonus that we love is that our natural rubber also contributes to reforestation efforts in Colombia. Every pair of Womads helps restore the environment.

All about direction not perfection

We're not claiming to have it all figured out.

Sustainability and ethics will always be changing and improving the more we learn and grow. There's always more we can do, better choices we can make and new ways to reduce our impact.

But choosing quality materials, supporting artisans fairly, and building things to last, that's the foundation of Womads. We will always build from that bare minimum line.

Every purchase is a choice. You get to decide what kind of industry you support.For more on Womads be sure to follow us on socials.