VEJA is a French eco-friendly brand founded in 2004 by Sebastien Kopp and his childhood friend François-Ghislain Morillion—both former bankers. They make shoes in a new way, blending social initiatives, economic fairness and environmentally responsible materials.
“We decided to create shoes because this product symbolises our generation and our era. It is also a product that embodies the core issues of globalization through its production, distribution and use.”
Kopp and Morillion set off for Brazil at the very start of their journey to meet families who grow organic cotton and harvest wild Amazonian rubber —this is how VEJA was born. Today, the brand works with around 350 families organised into five cooperatives. VEJA’s earliest projects drew inspiration from Brazil’s 1970s Volley volleyball sneakers and quickly evolved into the varied collections now recognised and appreciated by customers around the world.
“VEJA is a rebel. We started the company in 2004 during the internet bubble — many of our friends were working in startups or online businesses. That collective passion for the virtual values pushed us in the opposite direction: to rethink a traditional product.”
The brand takes longer to develop its products than most major footwear companies. At VEJA, they love creating models you will be proud to wear in ten years’ time, while paying attention to every stage of production. The goal is simple: make footwear that stands the test of time. Since the brand’s inception, several dozen silhouettes have been created. Every pair is finished with the V monogram—a signature mark instantly recognisable among thousands on the feet of style lovers worldwide.
In February 2005, the company officially presented its collections for the first time at the Palais de Tokyo in Paris. Thanks to a collaboration with French designer Agnès b., VEJA began to gain momentum and the following year it developed its debut collection using vegetable-tanned leather. In 2007, VEJA collaborated with the French brand Comptoir des Cotonniers, unveiling the first joint collection, VEJA + Christine Phung, at the designer store of Paris’s legendary Centre Pompidou. In 2008, the brand expanded to London and opened its studio there.
The brand then broadened its horizons, launching children’s footwear under VEJA Small and releasing a wide array of products and styles which sparked conversations about collaborations with other labels. One new wave was a partnership with Regina Dabdab. In March 2013, the brand released a capsule of printed sneakers inspired by the aerial photographs of Professor Greg Asner, reflecting forest cover and biodiversity across tropical rainforest ecosystems.
To mark the release of “Once Upon a Forest” by French director Luc Jacquet, VEJA produced a bespoke edition of its sneakers.
The brand’s breakout moment came in 2018 — dubbed the “Meghan Effect.” Meghan, Duchess of Sussex (Prince Harry’s wife, an American actress and model), wore VEJA sneakers during a tour of Australia and Oceania to attend the Invictus Games sailing events.
After that, a number of references to the brand grew by 113% year-on-year and the surge in online searches prompted VEJA to broaden its assortment and increase production volumes.
Many celebrities favour VEJA footwear, including Emily Ratajkowski, Marion Cotillard, Emma Watson, Chloë Moretz and Eddie Redmayne. Since 2004, the company has sold around 10 million pairs worldwide and as of October 2018 it supplied footwear to 1,800 retailers in 45 countries. In 2020, VEJA employed roughly 200 people.
But let’s return to how the eco-friendly shoes are made. VEJA uses Brazilian and Peruvian organic cotton for canvas and laces, Amazonian rubber for the soles and a range of innovative materials derived from recycled plastic bottles or recycled polyester.
The shoes are produced at high-standard factories in Brazil and Portugal, while European retail and e-commerce logistics are overseen by the Log’ins team near Paris.
MATERIALS
In northeastern Brazil and in Peru, a network of small producers grows cotton and food crops using agro-ecological practices that prohibit agrochemicals and pesticides. For these smallholders (with an average of one hectare of land), agricultural development is inseparable from environmental protection. VEJA buys cotton from more than 1,000 families across the two countries under fair-trade terms. The cotton is spun and then woven into canvas for sneakers and accessories.
The cotton VEJA sources is organic and agro-ecological whereas the dyes used for the canvas are not; however, the company uses conventional dyes that meet safety standards. After processing, this cotton is used in most models.
The brand’s Esplar shoes are named after a Brazilian NGO that provides technical support to cotton-growing farmers and helps organise and protect their harvests. In the fields, cotton is cultivated alongside the farmers’ everyday food crops — maize, sesame and beans.
More and more farmers in the region are shifting from conventional agriculture to agroecology. They see it as a way to preserve the soil and protect their own health. This new approach to farming shields them from toxic pesticides.
WILD RUBBER
The Amazon is the only place on our planet where rubber trees grow in their natural environment—in the wild.
“At first I thought I was fighting to save rubber trees. Then I thought I was fighting to save the forests of the Amazon. Now I know I am fighting for humanity.” — the words of Chico Mendes, a leading activist in the struggle to protect the Amazon rainforest who was murdered by landowners for his convictions.
In the Chico Mendes Extractive Reserve in Brazil’s Acre state, VEJA works with AMOPREAB, an association of seringueiros (rubber tappers), as well as with partners in the municipality of Feijó at Parque da Cigana and Seringal Curralinho.
Today, more than 2,800 seringueiro families—organized into 22 associations—are part of the project. On average, each rubber tapper harvests about 400 kg of latex per season and VEJA’s shoe soles are made with 50% Amazonian rubber.
MANUFACTURING
VEJA sneakers are made at factories in Rio Grande do Sul, a developed region in southern Brazil where workers’ rights are upheld and overtime is paid. Over years of close collaboration, these factories have become true partners and VEJA’s continually evolving standards encourage them to adapt and keep improving working conditions.
After 20 years of producing footwear in Brazil, VEJA charted a new path — building a supply line with the Portuguese company Samba specifically for the European market.
“Since 2015, we have reached the saturation point at our Brazilian factories,” says Sébastien Kopp. “We are also growing steadily, so finding a new production base was a natural step. We quickly arrived at the idea of ‘made in Europe, sold in Europe’—manufacturing the shoes in Europe and selling them only there.”
A common language with Brazil and its geographic position made Portugal a challenging yet natural choice — along with its centuries-old expertise in shoemaking. The country’s footwear industry employs about 40,000 people and produces for brands such as Birkenstock, Ganni and Timberland. In 2022, footwear exports exceeded €2 billion—a record—up 20% year on year.
Given that VEJA produces around 4,000,000 pairs of shoes a year, since starting production in Portugal in January 2023 its supplier, Samba Footwear, has made roughly 80,000 pairs. Other Samba clients include Axel Arigato, Boss and Gant. VEJA now sources materials from Europe, including Leather Working Group (LWG) Gold-rated leathers from Portugal and Italy. Some overseas inputs remain essential, however—Amazonian rubber and organic cotton cannot be substituted and are shipped by sea.
At the Portugal factory, skilled specialists do the work. More than 200 hands can contribute to a single pair of V-90 sneakers across roughly 50 processes needed to assemble and produce over 40 components.
Among VEJA’s high-profile collaborations with other brands and designers, standouts include projects with Rick Owens, Marni, and Lemaire.
Latest VEJA Arrivals at Our Store
Panenka fuses football heritage with urban style — the brand’s take on the Adidas Samba wave.
The silhouette is clearly inspired by classic football “terrace” shoes and takes its name from the “soft” penalty perfected by Czech footballer Antonín Panenka — who sealed the 1976 European Championship by chipping his spot-kick down the middle as West Germany’s goalkeeper Sepp Maier dived to the corner.
The low-profile shoes are crafted from VEJA’s softest leather to date. While many brands push footwear that’s either hyped or exclusive (and expensive), VEJA’s Panenka is a piece not tethered to any single cultural context.
We currently have two colourways in the women’s size run: “Silver Pierre Bark,” made from organic silver leather and “Clay Malibu Bark,” in suede.
We also have one men’s colourway: “Safran Pierre Bark,” in suede.
Condor 3
VEJA’s newest step forward in sustainability and performance. This model builds on the strengths of its predecessor, the Condor 2, while introducing key upgrades that make it an even better choice for both runners and environmentally conscious consumers.
An upper made from 100% recycled Alveomesh delivers breathability and support. The Amazonian-rubber outsole remains a cornerstone of the design — now featuring deeper flex grooves and a more ergonomic profile to boost flexibility and a smoother ride, with excellent grip on both wet and dry surfaces.
We currently stock the “Advanced Gradient Pierre Pacific” colourway in the women’s size run.
We also carry the men’s “Advanced Gradient Black Calcaire” colourway.
Condor Royale
If you are after shoes that balance comfort and style, these are the perfect pick. A lifestyle, everyday model with premium detailing, it is inspired by VEJA’s first running shoe from 2019, blending sporty character with eco-minded design. They are not intended for intense training, though light jogs and warm-ups are fine.
The Alveomesh panel keeps air flowing, so your feet stay cool and comfortable all day. And the iconic V logo doubles as a style statement and a nod to responsible materials.
We have the “Natural Pierre Silver” colourway available in the women’s size run.
We also carry the men’s “Ardoise Pierre Oxford Grey” colourway.
Fitz Roy
VEJA has created technical hiking sneakers built for trekking and long walks. Fitz Roy pays homage to the mountain of the same name — a symbolic Patagonian peak on the Argentina–Chile border that adventurers around the world dream of summiting. The Tehuelche people call it the “smoking mountain.” Two French alpinists made the first ascent of Fitz Roy in 1952.
Each shoe weighs about 400 grams. The heel-to-toe drop is 6 mm and the ride is neutral. The Fitz Roy upper is made from Trek-Shell, a dense, hard-wearing textile crafted from recycled polyester—ideal for active outdoor use.
Inspired by outdoor-performance textiles, it offers reinforced structure, flexibility and adaptability. The fabric is finished with a durable water-repellent (DWR) treatment that’s PFC-free, shielding your feet from light rain and wet surfaces — making this model ideal for practical wear on cool, rainy days.
We have the “Light Shark Almond” colourway in a wide range of sizes.
Volley
Inspired by Brazilian volleyball shoes from the 1970s, this is a reissue of VEJA’s very first model from 2005. The O.T. (Organic Traced) leather and suede come from 100% certified organic farms in Uruguay — a country renowned for its livestock heritage and high-quality leathers.
We offer the “Detox Pierre Eagle” colourway in the men’s size run.
Shop the full range of VEJA at Tone Footwear — our Dubai-based online store at www.tonefootwear.com — with fast delivery across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman.
Explore men’s and women’s VEJA shoes, from lifestyle icons (Campo, V-10, V-12, Panenka) to performance models (Condor, Fitz Roy), made with organic cotton and Amazonian rubber.
Order online for authentic, sustainable VEJA shoes in Dubai and across the GCC with secure checkout, easy returns and dedicated customer care to help with any questions.
