Stepping into the Future: The Story Behind Cocorose London’s Kew Collection

I love my food. I’m not a massive meat eater and I love my fruit and veggies and the occasional oat milk latte, but I’m far from vegan. Does this matter?

In today’s world, where environmental consciousness is growing rapidly, it’s impossible to ignore the conversations around veganism and sustainability. It’s important to note here that these are two very different topics, but I believe they do go hand-in-hand.

Through my journey of launching the Kew Collection — Cocorose London’s Eco & Vegan trainer collection — I’ve found myself more aware than ever of what it truly means to adopt ethical and sustainable practices in footwear.

A Bit of Background
Sustainability has always formed one of Cocorose’s core principles, addressing the environmental challenges within the fashion and footwear industry. With fast fashion dominating the sector, footwear has particularly struggled to contribute to the circular economy, due to excessive productions, plastic dependency and non-recyclable materials, with under 5% of post-consumer shoes being recycled.

For me, one of the biggest factors in our commitment to reducing our environmental footprint is our social conscience; the choices that we make, as individuals and as a business. And so, over the years, we’ve implemented key initiatives to reduce Cocorose’s environmental footprint, making our business more sustainable and contributing to the circular economy. 

From the outset, Gareth and I championed hand-crafted, small-batch productions to minimise waste and excess. We were like a broken record, as all those years ago, small batches in footwear production were a far cry. But we were determined and we stuck with our belief that quality hand-crafting in small batches was the way forward, to avoid all the waste and excess that is so often seen in huge commercial productions.

Our product range is beautifully packaged in recycled and recyclable packaging and presentation boxes. We partner with Ecologi to plant a tree for every order received and operate our shoe recycling scheme with First Mile, ensuring customers can return their pre-loved shoes to be responsibly recycled instead of ending up in landfill, in exchange for Rosebud loyalty points.

We prioritise sustainable materials. We craft using quality leathers sourced from the food industry, repurposing what would otherwise be waste. Whilst we’re huge advocators of leather for its natural properties, we understand the importance of exploring responsible, non-leather alternatives, hence our Kew collection of trainers that utilises plant-based leathers and recycled materials, reducing the dependence on plastic for a vegan alternative, whilst championing greenhouse gas reduction. 

A Conscious Awakening
The Kew Collection wasn’t just another product launch for Cocorose London. It was an evolution, a significant step towards a more sustainable future, and, for me, a personal journey of discovery. I’ve always been passionate about creating beautiful, functional footwear for women, but crafting non-leather sustainable footwear was an area I knew I needed to explore in greater depth. Before launching Kew, I dove into extensive research on materials, ethics and sustainability, and I really wanted to apply my learnings to real-world solutions.

The development process wasn’t straightforward. Finding high-quality, sustainable vegan leather that aligns with both our aesthetic and ethical values was a long and meticulous process. As many of you will already know, the Kew trainer is hand-crafted using plant-based, organic cactus leather and recycled materials and I really focused on comfort – a factor so important in Cocorose’s development process – and ensuring that the collection would also be both stylish and sustainable.

Partnering with the Next Generation: Sheffield Hallam University
Since launching Kew, the journey hasn’t stopped. In fact, it has only intensified. Currently, we are collaborating with Sheffield Hallam University and a group of final year students who are conducting research projects on behalf of Cocorose London. Their focus? Understanding veganism, vegan leather products, and the wider sustainability movement.

This partnership is incredibly exciting. These students represent the next generation of innovators, designers, and consumers who will shape the future of fashion and footwear. Their insights into the ethical and environmental implications of vegan products and understanding consumer perceptions of how veganism and sustainability are evolving will be invaluable. They’ll be asking important questions, including: Is veganism a growing movement or a declining trend? How do people perceive the term "vegan," “vegan leather”, “non-leather”, “plant-based” and “cactus leather”? Who is likely to buy vegan shoes and who is likely to buy shoes that would help you tread lighter?

Their research will help us refine our approach, challenge assumptions and push boundaries, ensuring that Kew continues to lead the way in sustainable footwear.

A Conversation with the Vegan Community
As part of my ongoing learning journey, I was recently invited by Collage Arts to showcase our Kew collection of eco & vegan trainers at an event hosted at Karamel Restaurant N22 by Zack Polanski, deputy leader of the Green Party. This event was incredibly valuable, giving me the chance to engage directly with the vegan community and hear their perspectives firsthand.

For someone who isn’t vegan, stepping into a room full of passionate advocates for animal rights and sustainability was daunting however, I found it incredibly enriching. The conversations were thoughtful, informative and challenged me to think even further about the choices we make as consumers and business owners.

I spoke to individuals who had been vegan for decades and others who were just beginning their journey. I appreciated hearing the different perspectives on veganism and sustainability and likewise, there was a real appreciation for the work that we’re doing with Kew and the fact that Cocorose has recognised the importance of this.

Ultimately for me, the event reinforced the notion that this project is not just about marketing a vegan trainer; it’s about genuinely committing to better materials, ethical production, and long-term sustainability.

Why Kew Matters for the Future of Footwear
The demand for ethical and sustainable fashion is not a passing trend—it’s a fundamental shift in consumer values. More and more women are looking for products that align with their environmental and ethical beliefs. Some are lifelong vegans; others, like me, are simply more conscious than ever about making responsible choices.

Kew is more than just a collection of trainers. It represents a commitment to innovation, responsibility, and progress. These trainers are designed for women who want style, sustainability and comfort without compromise. They are made from carefully selected plant-based vegan and eco-friendly materials, designed to reduce our carbon footprint whilst maintaining the quality and comfort that Cocorose is known for.

Kew isn’t just about serving the existing vegan community—it’s about making sustainable fashion more accessible to a broader audience. Many consumers want to make better choices but don’t always know where to start. By creating footwear that is both fashionable and responsibly made, we’re helping to bridge that gap, proving that sustainability and style can go hand in hand.

The Future of Kew and Our Mission
The journey of the Kew Collection is just beginning. As we continue to grow, our mission remains clear: Putting the Planet at the Heart of Your Feet.

This isn’t just a slogan—it’s a philosophy that guides our decisions and direction. We are committed to researching better materials, refining our designs, and finding ways to reduce our environmental impact. The partnership with Sheffield Hallam University is just one example of how we are investing in the future, learning from new research, and applying it to create better products.

At the same time, we know that sustainability in fashion must become more accessible. For too long, ethical and sustainable products have been positioned as niche or premium, but true change happens when responsible practices become the norm. That’s why we’re committed to making Kew a key part of our brand’s future, ensuring that more women can choose eco-friendly, vegan footwear without sacrificing style, comfort or affordability.

A Step Towards a Greener Future
The Kew Collection continues to be a journey of learning, growth and discovery. It has made me more conscious than ever about the choices we make, both as individuals and as a business. More so than ever before, I understand the importance of sustainable choices — not just for those who identify as vegan, but for the masses.

Kew is more than just a collection; it’s a movement towards a more sustainable future. And as Cocorose London continues to evolve, our commitment remains steadfast: to create beautiful, responsible footwear that empowers women while protecting the planet.

We’re just getting started. The future of footwear is changing, and we’re proud to be stepping forward with purpose, passion and responsibility.