The Frankfurt sneaker label Ekn Footwear has worked with designer Rokaiya Ahmed Purna from Bangladesh and developed a vegan sneaker that is made entirely in Portugal. With this, Ekn Footwear turns the traditional model of the industry on its head. Instead of having it manufactured in so-called manufacturing countries while the design happens in Europe or North America, the brand is turning the tables.
The model “Kamthala” (Bengali for jackfruit, the national fruit of the country) is completely vegan and made of recycled synthetic leather and neoprene. It features a wedge sole and yellow accents on the heel inspired by a ripe jackfruit.
“The front of the model picks up on the fruit’s characteristic spiked look, while most of the upper is in a textured gray, the color of which is intended to be reminiscent of the bark of the jackfruit tree,” the label explains in a statement.
In the collections for her label Rokaiya Ahmed Purna (RAP), the designer based in Dhaka reinterprets traditional Bangladeshi patterns and fabrics to create her own modern look.
Ekn Footwear GmbH was founded in 2015 by Noel Klein-Reesink, who was looking for the perfect skate shoe for years and worked for big brands in the sporting goods industry. Through this experience, he recognized the urgent need for stylish, well-made and sustainable sneakers. The philosophy of the label is “Made in Friendship” and is intended to be an alternative to unfair and climate-damaging practices.
“The shoe is a statement – a sign of respect. Because in a fair world there is no privileged party. If fairness is the goal, then we should share our aspirations,” explains Klein-Reesink.
The unisex sneaker is available in sizes 36 to 46 and costs 200 euros.