Sylven New York Launches Apple & Coconut Vegan Leather Earth Day Sneakers

Sylven New York, the Brooklyn, New York-based female-founded sustainable luxury footwear brand, is launching its first-ever plant-based leather sneaker. Made from vegan apple and coconut leather, The Mel makes its debut on Earth Day, coinciding with the brand’s founder Casey Dworkin’s birthday and her personal journey to veganism after participating in the famous Veganuary movement earlier in the year. 

Launching today (April 22), on Earth Day, The Mel is the newest sneaker to join Sylven New York’s luxury eco-friendly footwear line. It marks the brand’s first-ever Italian-made sneaker made using vegan-friendly apple and coconut leather and a natural rubber sole, and kickstarts Sylven New York’s pledge to using only 100% vegan and sustainable materials by the end of 2021 as its founder and creative director Casey Dworkin – who happens to be born on Earth Day – makes her personal transition to a vegan lifestyle.

Available in two colours with contrasting details – white with red accents, and black with natural contrast stitching – The Mel sneakers will be retailing for US$245. 

Read: 8 vegan eco sneakers we’re crushing on right now

The apple and coconut bio-based leather used to make The Mel is renewable, recyclable, organic and biodegradable, derived from apple waste sourced in Tyrol, Italy and natural coconut husk.

To celebrate the launch of the on-trend plant-based shoe, Sylven New York has partnered with Jamaican-American sustainability advocate and Bon Appetit magazine’s first vegan chef, Crissy Tracey, who will develop a 100% plant-based menu spotlighting apples and coconuts. 

We set out to identify a woman who could reinforce our focus on veganism, sustainability, and of course, food. But beyond that, Chrissy perfectly embodies another important value for our brand: humour.

Casey Dworkin, Founder & Creative Director, Sylven New York

Speaking about the partnership with Tracey in celebration of The Mel and the brand’s decision to make a full plant-based switch, Dworkin said: “We set out to identify a woman who could reinforce our focus on veganism, sustainability, and of course, food. But beyond that, Chrissy perfectly embodies another important value for our brand: humour.” 

“We believe in impeccable craftsmanship and design, and our mission drives everything we do. But we want people to know that you can be serious about a cause, like sustainability or veganism, without taking yourself too seriously.”

Read: A complete guide to natural vegan leather alternatives, from mushroom to cactus

Dworkin also shared more about her own journey towards a vegan lifestyle and how after participating in Veganuary, she “realised how connected the plant-based living is to our wardrobe choices in addition to our diet”, which inspired her to “translate her love for the planet through her designs.” 

With the brand’s commitment to go fully plant-based, Sylven New York says it is now partnered with Vegan Fashion Week, the platform advocating for a sustainable and ethical future for the industry and conscious consumption. Vegan Fashion Week itself has recently opened up its first Vegan Fashion Library and online e-commerce boutique to serve as a premium shopping destination for retailers, stylists and celebrities who are looking for designer vegan clothing. 

Want more eco-friendly vegan sneaker news? Check out all the latest here.

All images courtesy of Sylven New York.