Earlier this month, Payless ShoeSource announced that they will be launching a line of eco-friendly shoes making their entrance into the sustainable market at a price the majority can afford. The move is in coordination with the brand to position itself as a discount retailer of new brands while leading the movement in the market place to provide green options to its consumers. Don’t hold your breath though, the line of new environmentally-friendly footwear will be hitting stores early next year, which just might not be soon enough for some eager environmentally-friendly fashionistas on a budget. If you’re wondering how much the shoes are going to cost you, you’ll be happy to know that the price point on their shoes isn’t going-up at all, just because they’re green. All the shoes in their sustainable line are expected to be priced below $30 pair, and will come out with new looks for every season, eventually including kids’ and men’s styles to their lineup.
Payless is really putting the green behind their shoes, signing an agreement with Summer Rayne Oakes, Discovery Network’s Planet Green fashion and beauty expert and author of Style, Naturally: The Savvy Shopping Guide to Sustainable Fashion & Beauty to have her on hand as the new eco consultant to their currently unnamed brand. The contact is a multi-year arrangement which means they will not only be on top of the green movement, but hopefully ahead on the fashion movement as well.
“When Payless approached me to partner with them on what would be their first-ever affordable green line of footwear, it was an offer I couldn’t refuse,” said Oakes. “It’s high time a stylish line of shoes can be both environmentally friendly and reasonably priced. Payless is at the forefront of a significant movement bridging fashion, environmental awareness and accessibility – an undertaking I am proud to be a part of.”
The new line will be the first-ever line of affordable green footwear, and it doesn’t stop there. Accessories will be a part of the launch. A combination of eco-friendly materials will go into their new green line up including organic cottons and linen, natural hemp, recycled rubber outsoles, biodegradable glues, including a wrapping with “eco-smart” packaging. The launch will hit 500 stores with select styles appearing in more than 1,000 with online availability.
