As Roland-Garros, scheduled for May 22, approaches, the dedicated brand Faguo presents a new pair of sneakers with soles made from recycled tennis balls. An innovative initiative that aims to reduce textile waste, which is harmful to the environment, without compromising on design, in line with current trends.
The fashion industry is amplifying initiatives to significantly reduce its environmental impact. A commitment that includes setting up new services, including second-hand, as well as introducing new standards and new raw materials…sometimes the most original. Milk, dandelion, mushrooms, apples, grapes and even cobwebs are among the ingredients and materials that could shape tomorrow’s wardrobe, but it involves an object even more atypical than the Faguo brand: tennis balls.
One ball = three pairs of soles
For the development of his “Alder” model, Faguo used tennis balls collected near his production workshop in Portugal, in clubs scattered around the city of Porto. Usually thrown away, these have been transformed into shoe soles. The brand indicates that a tennis ball makes it possible to design three pairs of soles, in combination with recycled rubber. The shoe also has a thermo-regulating microfiber lining and a thermoformed insole made of recycled foam and cork.
“Every year, 2 billion tons of textile waste is produced worldwide. This waste is the key to reducing our impact on the climate: it is our raw materials of tomorrow”, explains Nicolas Rohr, co-founder of Faguo. Available in different models for men and women, the basketball is offered at a price of 140 euros in the brand’s boutiques and e-shop, as well as at multi-brand retailers.
(ETX Daily Up)