Global Vegan Awards 2021

www.lux-review.com Page 13 LUX 2021 Global Vegan Awards Bhava is a specialist in vegan shoes and creates innovative women’s footwear with a commitment not only to being animal-free, but also to a sustainable business model. We speak to Founder and vegan shoe entrepreneur Francisca Pineda about her vision for a sustainable future. Bhava Best Women’s Vegan Footwear Brand – USA Aug21136 Bhava is one of the first fully vegan premium footwear brands from New York. Having been around for a decade now, Bhava prides itself on making premium vegan footwear from the finest Italian custom vegan leathers and, with its products being artisan crafted in Spain, the company supports a small family-owned factory. Founded in 2012 by Francisca Pineda, Bhava is dedicated towards a sustainable business model. “There are many victims of the current fashion system with no voice,” Francisca begins. “I do not believe it is necessary to use leather for premium footwear. We have always been and will always be a 100% vegan company.” In addition, Francisca believes that a truly compassionate approach to design needs to go beyond using leather alternatives to include the environment, working conditions, and finally to protect Bhava’s loyal supporters by making each style extremely comfortable, all without any compromise to aesthetics. Francisca says, “Our customers are die-hard shoe lovers, and most are grateful to find footwear that aligns with both their ethics and aesthetics. This was my personal challenge when I decided I no longer wanted to support the leather industry, and still the reason why I continue to this day. I just want absolutely beautiful and comfortable vegan footwear. Doesn’t seem so hard, does it?” Francisca is a graduate of Parsons School of Design and, with almost two decades of experience working as a fashion designer, she is fully committed to ethical and environmentally conscious design. Francisca even taught Ethical Fashion and Sustainable Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York. Francisca thinks that, first and foremost, it is the aesthetic that brings customers to Bhava. “My customer is definitely fashion forward but does want to know that neither the styling nor the quality will deteriorate over time,” she states. “A cute shoe always gets attention, but our supporters come back because of the comfort and durability. Over half of our customers continue to return season after season, year after year and they write me the most beautiful thankful notes for my dedication.” As an independent small business, Francisca does all of the designing, sourcing and customer service. She is partnered with an amazing woman-owned fulfilment warehouse, and she also collaborates with a team of talented photographers in Berlin. But Francisca is not in a rush to over produce and grow at an unsustainable rate. Instead, continuous creation of the best shoes possible is her main focus. Recently, Bhava was rewarded for its devotion to a more sustainable future by being recognised in the LUXlife Global Vegan Awards 2021 and receiving the coveted title of Best Women’s Vegan Footwear Brand – USA. Regarding the future and the rapidly growing vegan industry, Francisca foresees exciting times ahead. “For the rest of the year we are still receiving an inventory of our bestsellers in a gorgeous new burgundy shade. Next year we do plan on expanding into handbags as that is the next natural step and what I was designing when I worked as an Accessory Design Director in New York in my past life.” Contact Details Contact: Francisca Pineda Company: Bhava Web Address: www.bhavastudio.com Oct21160 credit to photographe r brixandmaas.com