The “Chilote House Shoe” is a mash-up design, incorporating several sustainable principles that create synergy between the local culture (artisans) and renewable resources in the Chilean Patagonia.
This simple yet beautiful product is both culturally beneficial and environmentally responsible.
Self organized groups of artisan women are able to work in their own homes (as they have always done) knitting the shoe bodies, once a month Es-Salmon Leather collects the shoe bodies and works with another artisan group to process the repurposed and tanned natural salmon skin hides to be fitted as the shoe soles.
The Chilote Shoe was designed to stimulate and help evolve local craft, in spite of the encroaching new industries (globalization) in the region. Only local renewable resources and simple traditional techniques are used to produce the product, which has broad universal appeal.
Local wool from free range Patagonian sheep and tanned natural salmon skin are the only materials used to manufacture this product. The simplicity of the design is inspired by the amazing qualities of the materials used.
Es Ltda. relates with the artisans under specific fair trade principles developed locally that include:
- Paying the same amount per pair weather they deliver 1 or 300 pair.
- Providing micro loans in order for them to buy the raw materials
- Providing guidance for them to be able to identify and access other social benefits.
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