Why the Founders of This French Sneaker Brand Spent Two Years Researching Faux LeatherVeja's founders have always been proud of their sustainable footwear -- except their use of leather. Here's how they found a solution.

The French brand Veja's kicks look good -- like elevated Stan Smiths -- but their appeal goes beyond style.Sustainabilityhas always been a major part of the company'smission(and its sales pitch), and its rubber and cotton can be traced back toethicalfarmers in Brazil. But the company's use of leather left the founders feeling unsettled.

"It's really the only product we're not very proud of in terms of sustainability," says François Ghislain Morillion, who cofounded Veja with Sébastien Kopp. They had long searched for an alternative but came up short. The so-called "vegan leather" often used for shoes and apparel is just virgin plastic, and suede-like microfibers have a petroleum base -- hardly eco-friendly.