If the phrase vegan fashion brings to mind images of chunky, home made things (probably with muesli in there somewhere) then think again, because a new comer to the world of footwear is just about to shake up all preconceptions.
Launched earlier this year at Milan Fashion Week, Alfredo Piferi makes the sort of high-end, fashion-forward shoes that are both beautiful to look at and helping the planet. Under the name of Piferi, think bowed heels, Italian construction, and removable embellishments and you are starting to get the picture.
Formally head designer for Jimmy Choo, and at Burberry before that, Piferi's debut collection is the result of years of industry knowledge and, true to his personal view, is entirely vegan.
Feeling the need to push back against leather being a natural product and therefore good for the planet, Piferi instead wanted to draw attention to plant based, or recycled alternatives, that don’t carry the same chemical and heavy metal burden as animal hide.
Instead, he chose materials made from alternative sources, such corn oil, for shoe linings; and plastic bottles, recycled into soft but durable faux suede. Recycled polyester and lurex are also used by way of removable elements such as a socquette (a decadent frill that sits around the ankle, and that can be taken off at will) while ultra thin rubber soles are waterproof and less slippery to walk on.
Speaking to Vogue recently, Piferi explained that he wanted to create a brand with "purpose", and having switched to a vegan lifestyle some years before, coupled with his shoe design background, the answer was obvious. "I thought, maybe I can do the same thing with shoes. Nobody was doing sexy and sustainable," he said.
Having sourced vegan materials to a high enough standard, Piferi’s next challenge was with the shoe making factory in Italy, that struggled to handle the new materials.
After years of working with only leather (albeit of very high quality) the factory workers could not cope that the plant based materials reacted in different ways, forcing them to come up with an entirely new assembly method.
Despite the hiccups, the result is a series of beautiful, distinctive boots and sandals that are elegant, stylish and are set to be seen on the feet of every fashion-ite. With a signature bowed heel shape, Piferi's work is elegant, urbane and incredibly desirable.
“I’m trying to get the fashion customer to buy my shoes without even thinking about the fact that they aren’t leather,” he says.
With consumers becoming increasingly aware of the environmental damage done by the leather industry – with dyes and noxious chemicals leaching into waterways, and increasing concerns of how those same chemicals impact human health from being worn – Piferi is certain that more and more, consumers will begin to question the ethics of products.
“Once you get to know the details of leather and the chemicals you need to finish it, the impact doesn’t even compare,” he explains of his recycled and plant based alternatives.
In fact, the only down side to these exquisite shoes is that we still have to wait until they arrive. With a grand launch set for November in London, only after that will they travel to the UAE, having been snapped up by Level Shoes at The Dubai Mall.
“As a designer, you want to be remembered for the way you changed the perception of a product, not just the product,” he explains, and if this first round of designs is anything to go by, Piferi is all set to become a name we will all be watching.
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Pickford, Pope.
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Dier, Gomez, Keane, Maguire, Maitland-Niles, Mings, Saka, Trippier, Walker.
Midfielders Henderson, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse, Winks.
Forwards Abraham, Barnes, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Ings, Kane, Rashford, Sancho, Sterling.
Company%20profile%20
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Super heroes
Iron Man
Reduced risk of dementia
Alcohol consumption could be an issue
Hulk
Cardiac disease, stroke and dementia from high heart rate
Spider-Man
Agility reduces risk of falls
Increased risk of obesity and mental health issues
Black Panther
Vegetarian diet reduces obesity
Unknown risks of potion drinking
Black Widow
Childhood traumas increase risk of mental illnesses
Thor
He's a god
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Gulf Under 19s final
Dubai College A 50-12 Dubai College B
T20 World Cup Qualifier, Muscat
UAE FIXTURES
Friday February 18: v Ireland
Saturday February 19: v Germany
Monday February 21: v Philippines
Tuesday February 22: semi-finals
Thursday February 24: final
Results:
Men's wheelchair 800m T34: 1. Walid Ktila (TUN) 1.44.79; 2. Mohammed Al Hammadi (UAE) 1.45.88; 3. Isaac Towers (GBR) 1.46.46.
Some of Darwish's last words
"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008
His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Honeymoonish
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
Pros%20and%20cons%20of%20BNPL
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPros%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EEasy%20to%20use%20and%20require%20less%20rigorous%20credit%20checks%20than%20traditional%20credit%20options%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EOffers%20the%20ability%20to%20spread%20the%20cost%20of%20purchases%20over%20time%2C%20often%20interest-free%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EConvenient%20and%20can%20be%20integrated%20directly%20into%20the%20checkout%20process%2C%20useful%20for%20online%20shopping%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EHelps%20facilitate%20cash%20flow%20planning%20when%20used%20wisely%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECons%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cul%3E%0A%3Cli%3EThe%20ease%20of%20making%20purchases%20can%20lead%20to%20overspending%20and%20accumulation%20of%20debt%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EMissing%20payments%20can%20result%20in%20hefty%20fees%20and%2C%20in%20some%20cases%2C%20high%20interest%20rates%20after%20an%20initial%20interest-free%20period%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3EFailure%20to%20make%20payments%20can%20impact%20credit%20score%20negatively%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3Cli%3ERefunds%20can%20be%20complicated%20and%20delayed%0D%3C%2Fli%3E%0A%3C%2Ful%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3ECourtesy%3A%20Carol%20Glynn%3C%2Fem%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
MATCH INFO
What: India v Afghanistan, first Test
When: Starts Thursday
Where: M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengalaru
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
