Valentino Garavani has announced a re-design of two of their most iconic sneakers in an effort to be more sustainable. The Maison reimagined the Open and the Rockstud Untitled sneakers, this time with recycled or otherwise bio-based materials and a fully traceable European supply chain.  

The new and improved sneakers kick off their “Open for a Change” project, created “in a spirit of open innovation with a more conscious-driven ethos,” says the brand in a statement. The project comes months after the Maison announced their plans to go entirely fur-free in 2022, another eco-friendly move.  

The latest models of the sneakers have sidebands and uppers made from viscose and polyurethane of corn-derived polyols, used as an alternative to their traditional leather. Beyond that, the strings are made of recycled polyester, and the classic Valentino studs on the Rockstud Untitled are made of recycled nylon. Even the packaging is eco-friendly, made from fully recycled cotton and paper. 

The “Open for a Change” project will be a part of the Maison’s Spring/Summer 2022 collection, and the colorways reflect that. The sneakers will come in plain white, black, and green for men, while the Rockstud Untitled women’s model comes with multicolor stud details. Each sneaker will have the new “Open for a Change” logo digitally printed along the side.  

Suppliers of the bio-based materials used in the sneakers all use the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) analytic method, which quantifies the environmental impact a product has on the environment throughout its lifecycle. LCA analysis for both shoes shows a lesser impact than similar products made with fossil fuels.  

The “Open for a Change” project is the beginning of a community-wide shift at Valentino as they attempt to create luxury items with a newfound eco-consciousness.