Footwear

Shop Artisanal Shoes 10/05 - Black

Name: Shop Artisanal Shoes 10/05 - Black
Brand: Kowtow Clothing Ltd
Availability: InStock

Kowtow Clothing Ltd · New Zealand

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Artisanal shoes with waxed cotton laces, crafted from vegetable tanned leather. Handmade in Spain.

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What to Consider

Materials & Construction

·Cotton — Breathable and comfortable. Standard cotton softens with wear but may shrink. Look for ringspun or combed cotton for smoother, more durable fabric.
·Leather — Quality leather develops character and a patina with age — it gets better, not worse. Can last decades with basic maintenance.
·Vegetable-tanned — Tanned using natural bark and plant extracts rather than chromium chemicals. Stiff at first but molds to your body over time. Ages beautifully with a patina unique to you.
·Individually crafted by hand — greater attention to detail and unique character in each piece. Hand-made products can often be repaired by the maker.
·Made by Kowtow Clothing Ltd in New Zealand.

Brand at a Glance

Kowtow Clothing Ltd · New Zealand

Kowtow makes minimalist basics and everyday wear in New Zealand using deadstock and organic fabrics. They're certified Fair Trade and focus on ethical production with transparent supply chains and minimal waste practices.

Oras Index63/100

Good to Know

Kowtow's transparency and ethical foundation are strong; areas for deepening include formalizing a repair program (currently unstated in available materials), expanding documented renewable energy practices, and articulating long-term produ…

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Longevity & Care

·Cotton — Machine washable. Gets softer with every wash. Tumble dry low to minimize shrinkage.
·Leather — Condition every 3-6 months to prevent drying and cracking. Avoid prolonged water exposure. Store in a breathable bag, never plastic.
·⚠ Avoid "bonded leather" or "genuine leather" — these are the lowest grades. Bonded leather is essentially glued scraps that peel and flake within 1-2 years. Look for "full-grain" or "top-grain" for real longevity.

Sustainability

·Vegetable-tanned — Uses natural tannins instead of chromium chemicals, making it significantly more environmentally responsible. Chrome tanning produces toxic waste; vegetable tanning does not.

Cost Per Use

·Cotton — Cotton is affordable but has a shorter lifespan than wool or linen. Organic and ringspun cotton cost slightly more but hold up noticeably longer.
·Leather — A well-made leather bag or boot can last 10-20 years, making the cost per year very low compared to replacing synthetic alternatives every 1-2 years.
·Priced around $100 (midpoint of $50–$150 for Footwear). At ~15 uses/month, this hits the $1-per-use "worth it" mark in 7 months — and falls to roughly 11¢ per use across a 5-year lifespan.