BRITISH VEGAN SNEAKER BRAND LØCI HAS RAISED 4 MILLION POUNDS FROM LEONARDO DICAPRIO
English vegan sneaker brand LØCI has raised 4 million pounds, including investment from celebrity and environmentalist Leonardo DiCaprio, to keep disturbing the industry.
The 15-month-old start-up, which offers 100 percent vegan leather sneakers with a smooth aesthetic produced from recycled, renewable, and biodegradable materials, has accomplished seven figures in sales within its first year.
Celebrity number one, frequently worn by celebrities such as Gwyneth Paltrow,Mila Kunis, Ben Affleck, Jessica Alba, and vegan Twilight star Nikki Reed, has also expanded into 26 worldwide markets and partnered with retailers including Bergdorf Goodman, Nordstrom and Neiman Marcus.
LØCI said that the 4-million-pound investment, supported by Leonardo DiCaprio, will help it continue its central goal to offer cruelty-free, ethical, and sustainable footwear, while additionally redefining the eco-luxury sector as consumers seek out more sustainable and environmentally friendly fashion choices.
Emmanuel Eribo, chief executive officer at LØCI, said in a statement: “For most consumer brands today, success is measured by sales and popularity. At LØCI, we believe that there is a third pillar that is just as important as these two, impact.
The greater the impact, the more successful we are. Today, it’s essential we do more than just make a fantastic product. We are here to change things. That’s why it’s always important for us to think differently, to swim against the tide.
“LØCI is all about working with people who believe in our mission and see the world the way that we see it. It’s always been about more than footwear; we exist to make a difference and are delighted to have Leo on that journey with us.”
LØCI believes that its success is down to offering more than just sustainable footwear, however because of the growing community, it has created style and purpose with ethical manufacturing and its profit-share model to help charities.
The footwear brand added that through DiCaprio’s investment it will actually want to enhance its mission to a more extensive global crowd, which in turn will drive “urgent awareness to critical natural causes”.
Commenting on his investment, DiCaprio, said: “I am proud to be an investor in LØCI, a brand dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact, and cantered around creating cruelty-free, ethical footwear.”
Philippe Homsy, chief marketing officer at LØCI, added: “Today, sustainability is one of the most used buzzwords. We want LØCI to cut through the noise and be judged by our impact.
Through education, innovation, and donations, we’ve built a business model that is driven by our passion. With Leo, we could not have hoped for a more genuine and committed partner.
“There’s a significant advantage to being unconventional. Approaching obstacles with fresh eyes and real intent helps to shape the brand’s perspective. LØCI is a living, breathing community that represents a movement that’s relevant today. Any momentum we have is due to the belief in our mission.”
LØCI manufactures and sources all of its products in Europe, paying a premium for guaranteed and certified eco-materials, with each pair made using certified recycled ocean plastic.
The brand centers on monthly, rather than seasonal, production cycles, adding that production can be increased up or down in light of interest to manage environmental impact and reduce waste and its impact on the planet. LØCI also gives 10 percent of online profits to conservation charities focused on protecting wildlife.
Until now, the brand has eliminated over 982,000 plastic bottles, land, and ocean-bound, that are turned into an exceptional, strong material utilized in the making of the LØCI sneakers.
Also, its profit share model has empowered grassroots organizations like SEE Turtles to save more than 100,780 new hatchlings.