Unless Collective, the world’s first 100% plant-and-mineral-based fashion brand, announces the restock of its popular sneaker called The Degenerate – the world’s first regenerative sneaker, which sold out quickly after its limited-edition debut in December 2022.
The Degenerate is the latest offering from Unless (which launched its plant-based apparel collection in late 2021) designed to attack the problem of plastic waste in the fashion industry. More than 24 billion pairs of shoes are made every year and 300 million pairs are thrown away. The vast majority of shoes are made with plastics and other petrochemicals, which break down into harmful microplastics that find their way into our rivers and oceans, our food and even our bodies.
The Unless Degenerate is made with 100% plants and minerals and zero plastic and is created to harmlessly decompose at the end of its life to birth something entirely new. It is the first product to feature all of Natural Fiber Welding’s (NFW) revolutionary plant-based material technologies that are durable enough for outsoles and soft enough for cushioning goals.
The Degenerate combines NFW’s PLIANT™ for the outsole, TUNERA™ foam for the internal midsole, CLARUS® for the vamp and quarter, and MIRUM® for the eyelet and mudguard, along with low-impact textiles like linen, cotton embroidered lace tips, coconut husk, tencel and thread. Everything about this regenerative sneaker, from the plant-based leather to the natural rubber outsole to the tips of the laces, is made entirely from plants and minerals.
“We believe that the time is now for the fashion industry to start producing products with the end in mind,” said Eric Liedtke, CEO and co-founder of Unless Collective. “With The Degenerate, we have proven you can create a sneaker that not only pushes the boundaries of style and design, but also sets a new standard for true sustainability in fashion through our regenerative creation model.”
