It’s time for change in the sneaker industry. Introducing !SYOU: An unique sneaker concept produced in collaboration with DAC-listed nations*. Co-designed** with local creative talent and top-designers around the world***, produced by local manufacturers with locally sourced materials, and sold at a fair price and at fair margins all across the world. And the best bit? Everyone involved receives a fair share of the proceeds from each sale. From local producers to local creative talent to local communities. This is ‘Trade, not Aid’ in action.
At !SYOU we believe in an alternative to the rigid and conservative business models that have driven the fashion industry for many years. We believe fashion, commercial success and a positive, sustainable approach to production can work hand-in-hand. !SYOU is an abbreviation for ISEEYOU. We see, and collaborate with, talent all over the world. This co-design philosophy is the heart and soul of !SYOU.
!SYOU is not just a concept. After a sneak preview at TEDx Amsterdam, the first !SYOU collection was launched in the Netherlands. A limited batch, co-designed and manufactured with talented artists and material producers from Burkina Faso. Click on the play button (photo above this text-box) to check out the TEDx movie.
We are a growing gang of ethical, commercial & marketing driven entrepreneurs, supported by a network of experts with significant experience in the fashion, footwear and sustainable product production. We will extend our group of partners when we go to Colombia.
A shout-out to our founding father Butterfly Works, our partners DAY and De Keijzer Nipius & Co, Kalo, Geert, Louk, Hester, Ineke, Fenja, Annewies, Patrick, Gesina, Lotte, Mariette, Karlijn, Esther, Hester V, Luc, Neil, Robert, Bieneke, Anna, Anouk, Hans, James, Panos, Anke, Wilfried, Francois, Miguel, Javier, Berndt, Jorgo, Kathy, Didier, Petra, Morena, Hens, Maris, Jaap, Ankie, HTNK, The Mondriaan Foundation, Koos, Ecco, Post NL, Red Bull SBM and all !SYOUsers for making things happen.
One more lecture for the day:
* The DAC List of ODA Recipients shows all countries and territories eligible to receive official development assistance (ODA). These consist of all low and middle income countries based on gross national income (GNI) per capita as published by the World Bank.
** We define co-design as collaboration between cross-cultural creatives, each bringing their own perspective to a brand and/or products. In the context of !SYOU , this means that each model is the result of a country-specific co-design process.
*** Each collection begins with a country selection. This choice is made after extensive research based on several criteria such as: 1) Is there a creative industry present which is developed, but still kind of undiscovered? 2) Can we contribute to give this proud nation a better reputation? 3) Presence of proper local scalable production facilities, and local materials we can use in our sneakers? 4) Are these production facilities and material-suppliers keen on working with our fair-trade and sustainable production principles?
