In the world of fashion and accessories, the partnership between Melissa and Rombaut, the Parisian vegan brand, has shaken the conventional codes of design and sustainability. The union of these two entities promises an exceptional collection that fuses fashion, functionality and environmental commitment.
Created in 1979, Melissa has always been a committed company. The brand has made a name for itself by creating very unique and colorful shoes, it has collaborated with innovators from various fields including fashion, art and architecture. In the 1990s, his jelly shoes, the "Possession", became a global phenomenon, bringing a new dimension of comfort and style to the shoe industry.
For its part, Rombaut, founded by Mats Rombaut, has always been committed to being 100% vegan and taking sustainability seriously. The brand strives to give meaning to its collaborations and set an example by offering more environmentally friendly alternatives. She has often highlighted the difficulty of finding great brands that share similar values.
It is in this context that the collaboration between Melissa and Rombaut takes on its full meaning. The collection presents Melissa's Possession sandal, a great classic of the brand, in a version revisited by Rombaut. It also introduces a new version of Rombaut's Boccaccio sneaker, a shoe that has already been worn by celebrities like Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Lil Nas X, Miley Cyrus and Charli XCX.
The shoes resulting from this collaboration are made from 50% recycled PVC from factory waste and 30% bio-based renewable carbon content, including 17% sugar cane and 13% vegetable oil. Additionally, the shoe laces are produced from 100% recycled PET bottles, further reflecting their commitment to sustainability.
Both brands don't just produce attractive and comfortable shoes; they also seek to raise public awareness of environmental problems. Mats Rombaut, the founder of Rombaut, said he wanted to draw attention to rising temperatures around the world by creating a sneaker that literally feels like it's melting.
This collaboration represents a significant step forward in Melissa’s sustainability journey. Indeed, the brand allows customers to return their worn shoes in store to recycle them into new shoes, thus illustrating their commitment to a closed-loop production system. Additionally, Rombaut plans to launch a limited edition of 100 pairs made with 100% post-consumer waste, available only on Rombaut.com and at Rombaut's new flagship store in Paris.
This initiative exemplifies Melissa's commitment to sustainability while delivering a premium, innovative and visually striking product that will ultimately be accessible to all fashion lovers. "Rombaut is one of the most exciting brands in fashion today and has a young and socially engaged community that embodies the freshness and creativity that Melissa represents. We are proud and excited about the result we were able to achieve with this project which represents another step in our sustainability journey." says Raquel Scherer, global brand manager for Melissa.
In addition to the innovative and aesthetic aspect, the shoes resulting from this collaboration are also practical. Ultimately, the Melissa X Rombaut collaboration isn't just a shoe collection; it is a declaration, a position taken in favor of the environment. These brands have managed to combine fashion and sustainability, offering trendy shoes while minimizing their ecological footprint. It’s an inspiring example of how the fashion industry can transform itself to meet the environmental challenges of our time.
This landmark alliance between Melissa and Rombaut represents a step forward for more sustainable and eco-friendly fashion, and continues to prove that fashion and sustainability can coexist harmoniously.