Kioo Viatu: The Fairest of Them All

By Chiara Spagnoli Gabardi

Sharon Cumberbatch is the fairy-godmother every Cinderella would wish to have, the shoe designer every girl would dream of meeting. Her heart is just as gentle and enchanting just as her creations, which are very easy on the eye–an the environment.

This is because Cumberbatch’s label, Kioo Viatu, aims to enforce a zero waste policy by upcycling garment and home fixture waste into shoes. Considering the fashion design industry throws always about 217 tons of used clothing and textiles everyday, this is a very positive move. The material she uses the most are broken mirrors, which give that ‘glass slipper allure’.

But the label goes further in its dedication to the environment. For example, only recycled, non-toxic leather and fabric are used as a base for the creations, and activities in Cumberbatch’s office are as eco-friendly as possible. This is a priority for the designer, who says:

“At Kioo Viatu we believe in a universal approach, a responsible advance towards life, which we aim to integrate into our everyday actions. We like to consider the need to minimise our impact on the environment while creating beautiful shoes.” Sharon firmly believes that “whatever you take, you have to give back. It is our ongoing (commitment) to nature, to you, to the people, and to our future generations to come.”

Her ethical values were incorporated in her newest line of Kioo Viatu Shoes, amusingly called “Tacky Lucy.” The range is comprised of non toxic leather, recycled denim in blue, red, pink and of course the brand’s signature mirrors. Far from tacky, these outstanding shoes will make anyone slipping them on feel they’re the Fairest of Them All.

For more info, please visit: www.kiooviatu.com