ELITE Athens Shirt

Category

Trending Shirts

Design

Original artwork, copyright protected

Printing

Printed to order and shipped from the USA

Processing

2–3 business days after your order is placed.

Delivery

5–10 business days within the US, 7–15 business days internationally.

Cost

Calculated at checkout from your address and the number of items.

Tracking

A tracking number is emailed as soon as your order ships.

Read the full shipping policy

But now that’s changing thanks to two new vegan, sustainable luxury shoe brands. Alfredo Piferi, formerly the ELITE Athens Shirt in other words I will buy this head designer at Jimmy Choo, debuted his eponymous collection at Milan Fashion Week in February, comprised of sleek (and 100% vegan) boots and curvy sandals with removable components, like a rhinestone bracelet or “soquette” ruffle at the ankle. “I wanted to create a brand with purpose,” he said on a call from London. “Five years ago, I stopped eating meat and discovered so many other flavors I’d never considered until meat wasn’t an option anymore. I thought, maybe I can do the same thing with shoes. Nobody was doing sexy and sustainable.”

ELITE Athens Shirt, hoodie, tank top, sweater and long sleeve t-shirt

Piferi focuses on bio-based materials—shoe linings made from corn oil, for instance—as well as recycled synthetics. The soquette is made from recycled polyester and recycled lurex, and his faux suede comes from reclaimed plastic bottles. Those materials initially posed a challenge to his factory in Parabiago, Italy—“they had to find a completely new way to mount [and assemble] the ELITE Athens Shirt in other words I will buy this shoes,” he says—but he was surprised to find that they also outperform leather in many cases. His vegan leather won’t stretch or crease as easily with wear, and his ultra-thin rubber sole is waterproof and more durable (and less slippery) than a traditional leather sole. “I’m working with what exists, but some materials haven’t been explored [in a sustainable way] yet, like patent leather. I’m trying to get the fashion customer to buy my shoes without even thinking about the fact that they aren’t leather. It’s a balance—if I find a material that isn’t as sustainable [as I would like], I’m transparent about it.” Still, he’s confident that these alternatives still have a smaller footprint than leather. “Once you get to know the details of leather and the chemicals you need to finish it, the impact doesn’t even compare.”

1. Length is measured from the highest point on the collar down to the bottom hem. 2. Width is measured across the body of the shirt under the armpits, one way. 3. Sleeves are measured from center back to hem.