SELECTED COWHIDE LEATHERÉ WITH CARE

In keeping with our commitment to local sourcing and production, the leather used in our shoes comes exclusively from Europe. Cowhide leather is known for its noble characteristics, notably its resistance over time and its comfort. We have chosen not to use pigskin, a leather of mediocre quality due to its porosity, very often tanned with Chrome VI, and much used in high-industry countries in Asia due to its low price. 

GOLD-CERTIFIED LEATHER BY LEATHER WORKING GROUP

The leather in our sneakers is Gold Certified by the Leather Working Group, an organization that brings together fashion brands, retailers, manufacturers, tanneries and technical experts from the leather sector. Its main mission is to reduce the environmental impact of the leather industry in tanneries and intermediary companies worldwide by making it more transparent and sustainable. Among other things, it identifies sustainable leather manufacturing practices and GOLD-certifies those that meet their standards.

LWG tests 4 dimensions of this industry: the tannery, chemical substances, transactions in the production process and working conditions. For example, it requires processed leather to be free from harmful chemicals and to be low in water and energy consumption.

We are proud to be GOLD certified, a certification that once again illustrates our commitment to sustainable production by limiting the environmental impact of our sneaker production worldwide.

LEATHER RECOGNIZED BY DER BLAUER ENGEL

We're proud to use Der Blauer Engel-certified leather, an ecological label that rewards our long years of research and development into sneakers that respect people and the environment.

LEATHER WITH THE ICEC LABEL, "LEATHER FROM ITALY - FULL CYCLE".

In addition to choosing quality European leather, we also chose leather with the ICEC label, "Leather from Italy - Full Cycle". This certification confirms that a tannery is able to fully control the production process and the chemicals used, and ensures the traceability of all stages of transformation. Our aim is to offer eco-responsible sneakers, so it seemed obvious to us to use quality leather that respects the environment.

We're proud to use ICEC-certified Italian leather, which once again illustrates our desire to produce products that are both beautiful and, above all, sustainable.

O.T.A ALIGNS WITH REACH REGULATIONS

We wanted our shoes to be authentic, yet not harmful to our consumers or the environment. This is why O.T.A. complies with REACH regulations, which prohibit Chrome VI-tanned leathers on the European market. Our sneakers are therefore free of all toxic chemical substances harmful to health and the environment.

CHROMIUM VI, A LITTLE-KNOWN HAZARDOUS SUBSTANCE

Chromium VI (or Hexavalent Chromium) is a highly hazardous chemical; ingested or inhaled, it is considered toxic, even carcinogenic. Although leather cannot be swallowed or breathed in, mere skin contact is considered dangerous because of its allergenic nature.

By complying with REACH regulations, we offer sustainable sneakersand modern sneakers, while protecting our customers and workers from the harmful effects of this chemical substance.

THE LEATHER IN OUR SHOES RHYMES WITH ECOLOGY 

Why? Firstly, because we mustn't forget that the use of leather goes back to the idea of recycling. Leather is first and foremost a by-product of the meat and dairy industries. Failing leather-making, the skins would be burned burned or buried underground. So at O.T.A., we see using leather as giving a second life to a waste product. giving a second life to a waste product.

Secondly, leather is aligned with the ecological dynamic for its noble characteristics. Durable and long-lasting, it wears longer and lasts longer, preventing the over-consumption that is the hallmark of fast-fashion. This longevity of leather was verified in a German study, testing the material's resistance to vegan alternatives. The results of the study proved that leather is more resistant and durable over time than vegan materials. 

SEE STUDY RESULTS

Moreover, leather is a natural material that is extremely comfortable thanks to its suppleness, its airy character, which allows the foot to breathe in the shoe and prevents the skin from overheating, and its moisture absorption.

So yes, O.T.A shoes are eco-friendly sneakers.   

RECYCLED LEATHER: O.T.A x FRBG 

At O.T.A., we're constantly striving to improve our ethical and recycled footwear. In collaboration with FRBG, we spent almost a year working on prototypes of recycled leather sneakers. With this recycled leather shoeour aim is to improve consumer attitudes by offering fashion products made from waste.