BellaStoria is likely a vegan footwear brand. They were PETA-certified vegan, which means their suppliers and manufacturers had to sign a legal statement of assurance form, stating that no animal by-products (including glues, dyes, and solvents) are used in the production of their shoes, sandals and boots. Their certification has lapsed since we last checked.
Brand Highlights
Made on-demand to reduce waste, BellaStoria shoes are designed in London, and handmade in Italy. Here are some things that stand out to us about this brand and their shoes:
- Customizable shoes
- Free worldwide shipping
- Vegan "Doc Martens"
- Made-to-order
- Upper-mid price range
- Fair working conditions
- All employees are vegan
- Upcycled materials collection
- Innovative materials
- Art-deco style
- Wide variety of shoes and boots
- Steep discounts on older models
- Encourage slow fashion
About BellaStoria Vegan Shoes
BellaStoria is all about respect for animals - it's a company founded on that ethos. They're quite an eco-friendly brand that uses a range of natural materials and fabrics, as well as recycled and upcycled materials. They lose sustainability points for using microfibre (which is almost unavoidable at this point until more eco-friendly plant-based leathers and suedes become mainstream), but are working hard to introduce innovative plant-based eco-leathers such as apple and cactus.
What are BellaStoria shoes made of?
BellaStoria uses a variety of plant-based materials to produce their shoes, such as stinging nettle's fibre; hemp; microfibre; apple leather; cactus leather; cork; canvas, and they're are always on the look out for new and innovative materials to use. They also have a collection of sneakers made from interesting upcycled materials, such as denim and other fabric scraps, seat belts and airbags from cars, and even Hawaiian shirts. The linings are made from natural, breathable materials such as linen, organic cotton, hemp and bamboo.What about their soles, insoles and laces?
The materials used in BellaStoria's insoles are made from a variety of natural materials, such as eucalyptus fibre, linen, cotton, and chlorophyll. The specific combination of materials used will vary by model. Some of their laces are made from elastic, others from cotton. The soles are made from thermoplastic or rubber, depending on the shoe.Is it true that their shoes are customizable?
On their website, BellaStoria claims that their shoes are customizable - from the fabrics, to the colours, and down to the soles. To customize one of their shoes, find the model of shoe you like, and contact the company with how you'd like to customize it.Are BellaStoria shoes eco-friendly?
The eco-friendliness of their shoes varies from model to model. Some are made of upcycled or natural materials, others are made of eco-friendly apple and cactus leather, while others still are made of not-so-eco-friendly microfibre. They do gain some sustainability points for producing their shoes in Italy, close to where they source their fabrics. They also gain major points for having their shoes made on-demand, in order to promote slow fashion and prevent overproduction.Does BellaStoria have any other certifications?
Aside from being a PETA-certified vegan brand, BellaStoria is recognized by LAV and the Animal-Free Fashion Project as having achieved the highest level of AFF Rating, “VVV+”.Are BellaStoria shoes made with fair labour?
Yes! BellaStoria makes their shoes in a small factory in Tuscany, Italy, which means the workers there are protected by the stringent labour laws of the European Union, and by strong health and safety regulations.Where can I buy BellaStoria shoes?
Your best bet is through their website for the time being. We've contacted them to ask if they have plans to work with retailers in the future, and are awaiting reply.Do BellaStoria shoes ever go on sale?
BellaStoria holds periodic sales of certain products in their catalogue, typically at great discount (upwards of 50% off).Is BellaStoria a charitable company?
There's no information currently available from their website as to any corporate charitable initiatives they partake in. We've asked them for details of any relevant charitable initiatives and are awaiting a reply.Does BellaStoria use green shipping methods?
It's not immediately clear from their public-facing materials as to the nature of the shipping methods they use domestically or internationally. We have contacted them for clarification and are awaiting a reply.Do they use eco-friendly packaging?
It's not immediately clear from their public-facing materials as to whether or not they use recycled, recyclable, biodegradable of other forms of green packaging. We have contacted them for clarification and are awaiting a reply.What should I do with BellaStoria shoes once they've worn out?
We've contacted BellaStoria to find out what their end-of-life plan is for their shoes and boots, and are currently awaiting reply.Related Brands
Types Of Shoes Made By BellaStoria
BellaStoria makes shoes and boots for men and women, as well as sandals for women. Their aesthetic is a slightly eclectic/art-deco spin on classic styles, which occasionally makes use of mixed-media.
- Microfibre bow flats
- Mary Jane flats
- Derbies
- Wing-tip derbies
- Low-top sneakers
- Chunky sneakers
- Ankle boots
- Booties
- Vegan biker boots
- Winter boots
- Denim ankle boots
- Vegan patent leather heels
- Vegan suede heels
- Platform sandals
- Strapped sandals
- Vegan combat boots
- Vegan "Doc Martens"
- Hemp ankle boots