North Stars:

Energy Efficiency

Waste Management

Carbon Footprint

“While considering sustainability on the one hand, there’s still the matter of fashion and versatility on the other.“

The Azure Road Take

Whether it’s a woven sun hat or a clutch for cocktail hour by the pool, raffia accessories are synonymous with summer. They are a seasonal staple for designer brands from Gucci to Saint Laurent and for good reason. Equal parts airy and elegant, the crisp natural fiber material echoes being outside in nature, while chic hardware instantly elevates the look.

But did you know raffia accessories make a bold sustainability statement, too? This is a fact not lost on mou footwear, an ethical fashion label that recently released a new collection of raffia platforms for summer. When I spotted them, I couldn’t wait to get a pair, as well as explore the many ways this British luxury brand is setting a new standard for sustainable fashion.

Sustainability Chops

In 2002, New Zealand-born Shelley Tichborne founded mou with a bold mission that hasn’t wavered: to produce long-lasting products made from natural fibers. As a result, mou has been actively countering fast, cheap fashion consumption and its damaging ecological effects for over two decades in a multitude of ways. 

Mou uses a minimum of 95% natural fiber materials to create every collection in their line of luxury footwear, including wool, plant-based textiles, and genuine fur, leather, and suede. Unlike man-made synthetic fibers, which consist of chemical compounds, natural fibers come from the earth, which means they are biodegradable and they can be sourced using less energy. 

Not only does the use of raw materials cut down mou’s carbon footprint, but they also produce shoes with natural durability. Raffia, for example, comes from the fibrous fronds of the Raphia palm tree and has been used for centuries to create baskets, clothing, and mats in the tropical regions of Africa. Raffia’s coarse and sturdy properties allow it to withstand wear and tear better than synthetic materials, resulting in less waste over time. 

The Look

Mou’s new line of raffia platforms features four different hand-crafted designs, each with just the right amount of height – 3.5 cm – to pair perfectly with a midi summer dress. (While I love a maxi, too, trust me, you will want to show these shoes off.) All have a raffia base and rubber outsole, and three feature a suede upper with the brand’s trademark hand-crochet wool stitching, which you may recognize from their iconic eskimo boot, mou’s best-selling design.

I opted for the lace-up sandal with the natural textile ankle strap, which I think lends itself to being a bit more versatile when it comes to outfits. So far, I’ve worn them with a white cotton sundress for an outdoor brunch and with a red pleated silk midi for a night out in downtown Charleston. On both occasions, they received compliments, which I loved. But what I loved even more was how extremely comfortable these platforms are. They are sturdy yet lightweight and the footbed – which also features mou’s trademark crochet stitch – is soft and perfectly curved.

Origin Story

Tichborne credits her inspiration to create eco-conscious fashion to her upbringing on her grandparents’ farm in New Zealand, where living sustainably and connecting with the earth came naturally. Now based in London, she aims to inspire people to keep a strong connection to the organic world by wearing natural fibers, whether they live in the countryside or in a city.

Mou is also a member of the Walpole Foundation, an organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, and developing British luxury. Walpole’s members include icons such as Alexander McQueen, Burberry, and Harrods.