The team at Projext & Co. is launching their first product with the aim that it can change the future of the footwear industry. Scooter One Shoes are innovative premium leather sneakers, made without harming animals or the planet. This is in strong contrast to fast fashion brands that prioritize keeping consumers on pace with the latest trends over the potentially dangerous impact on the environment.
The idea behind Scooter One Shoes was to create a sneaker that could withstand changing trends and become the staple sneaker for the next generation. With its minimalist design and features for all-day comfort, the shoe combines function with style.
Each pair of Scooter One Shoes is made of Prime Fiber Leather, which is a mix of vegan and upcycled leather cast-offs. This method of production helps reduce waste, as it utilizes scraps from other manufacturers. The vegan leather coating also gives the shoes a protective shield against stains, scratches, and water, allowing wearers to have confidence that their shoes can withstand the elements no matter where they go.
An innovative blend of Merino wool and Tencel fabric fibers lines the interior of the shoes. Called Souffle Fit Technology™, this lining keeps the wearer's feet sweat-free and comfortable, even without socks. The unique combination of materials allows your feet to stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The sole of each shoe is made with Popcorn Technology™ to ensure that it is flexible, shock-absorbent, and durable. All of these features make the shoes perfect for casual use or for engaging in the daily 10 minutes of physical activity that can help you improve mobility and live longer.
"Scooter One Shoes are meticulously engineered to be lightweight, durable, comfortable and weather-resistant. Wear Scooter One Shoes all day, and stride in confidence knowing these leather sneakers look good and do good," said Denny Chiang, co-founder and CEO of Projext & Co.
Major retailers and brands have latched onto fast fashion, as it allows them to quickly capitalize on ever-evolving trends and ideas in the industry. The fast fashion ideal encourages consumers to buy inexpensive clothing more often, getting them the latest trends and giving retailers big profits. However, this rotating inventory of products creates a massive amount of waste. It was estimated that three out of every five of the 100 billion garments produced in 2018 would end up in a landfill within a year.
The team at Projext & Co. has over 20 years of experience in the footwear industry, giving them the necessary knowledge to engage in mindful manufacturing. The production of sneakers with fast fashion methods generates 313 million metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, which equals the annual emissions of 66 million cars. While the team may not be able to avoid having to create some toxins through processes like shipping, which accounts for about 90% of the world's trade, they have been able to use natural materials and innovate technologies to create a long-lasting product. With a shoe that can last years rather than months, the Projext & Co. team can help reduce the amount of waste that goes directly to landfills.
Projext & Co. has launched the Scooter One Shoes on Kickstarter to raise enough funds to manufacture the shoes. While about 25% of the total funding early-stage entrepreneurs need comes from credit cards or bank financing, they often need to use crowdfunding resources like Kickstarter to make their idea come to life. Through Kickstarter, consumers can pre-order their pair of Scooter One Shoes. The shoes come in sizes for men and women and are available in white, black, or gray. If the campaign raises enough money, the team is planning to start production in October 2020 and ship out the pre-orders in December 2020.
