The luxury fashion brand has ditched leather to craft a sustainable sneaker from 90% recycled and bio-sourced materials.

Louis Vuitton has launched its first “eco-designed sneaker” made with corn.

The move marks the French luxurious brand’s foray into the sustainable vegan footwear market.

The brand’s new Charlie sneaker is a unisex design that’s crafted from 90% recycled and bio-sourced materials. The soles are composed of at least 94% recycled rubber while the laces are made entirely from recycled fibres.

Biopolioli – a corn-based plastic – can be found in the uppers of the shoes and the tongue patch uses Econyl, a renewable nylon fabric that has also been endorsed by Prada and Burberry.

Moreover the sneakers’ box is also made from completely recycled cardboard, and becomes a bag with a handle.

Every pair of Charlie sneaker bears LV’s standard and is produced in the brand’s workshop in Fiesso d’Artico, Italy.

The shoes are offered in a single colourway: white with black and grey accents in low and high-top versions.

Vegan leather sneakers

Louis Vuitton is the latest to enter the burgeoning market for sustainable luxury sneakers as climate crisis is changing the idea of luxury and ecological material innovation is now becoming a priority for high-end brands.

Earlier this year, Gucci launched a line of sneakers made from wood pulp.

Another notable LV rival, Balenciaga also debuted a leather-free pair of shoes that piqued interest last year.

Luxury leather goods maker Channel has used Piñatex ( made from pineapple plant fibers).

Hugo Boss  also used  Piñatex to make a range of vegan leather shoes. 

The Charlie sneakers are priced at $1,080 for the low-tops, and $1,130 for the high-tops. They are available in  Louis Vuitton stores around the world. You can also get your hands on a pair online.

• Read: Billie Eilish launches vegan Air Jordan sneakers

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