Big Heels Small Environmental Footprint

Written by: Ruthie Davis

August 23, 2024

Time to read 3 min

Ruthie Davis is much more than a shoe brand that makes high-quality platform heels. It is a manifestation of what Ruthie Davis is about: creating a statement, an empowerment, and an identity.

Table of content

1. What does Sustainability mean for Ruthie Davis? 2. Why do micro brands have less of an environmental impact? 3. How is a smaller better than a larger footprint when to comes to sustainability? 4. Most of your shoes are really high platform heels. Are they more sustainable? 5. Style, quality, and comfort, which one comes first for your platform heels?

"Strong, gorgeous, sexy, powerful. I want every person wearing my platform heels to feel their most glamourous and powerful self.

1. What does Sustainability mean for Ruthie Davis?

When brands discuss “sustainability,” the term can mean many things. While some fashion brands clearly outline their sustainable practices, others do not, and there’s no universal standard for measurement. This topic is still evolving in the fashion industry, and there’s much to explore in terms of what it truly means to be sustainable.

I approach sustainability from a unique perspective: “less is more.” As a small, independent brand, my size inherently results in a smaller environmental impact compared to larger companies. As I often say, bigger is not always better—except when it comes to heels! Bigger is Not Always Better Except When It Comes to Heels!

2. Why do micro brands have less of an environmental impact?

You may wonder why my brand has less of an impact. First, I produce only the minimum quantities my factory allows, ensuring there’s never excess inventory to discard or waste. Every pair of heels I create finds a home—nothing is ever burned or sent to a landfill. How many large fashion conglomerates can say the same?

Additionally, I design my shoes to be timeless and seasonless, allowing customers to wear them year after year. My brand has gained a reputation that adds value on the resale market, extending the life of my beautiful heels. While some may find my shoes pricey, I prioritize quality in every pair to ensure longevity. Towards this end, when I moved production from Italy to Brazil, I found a factory to maintain Grade A quality at a better price point than many luxury shoes brands made in Italy.

3. How is a smaller better than a larger footprint when to comes to sustainability?

My Ruthie Davis brand has forged a strong, long-term relationship with a single factory, allowing them to become experts in crafting my shoes and continuously improving quality. In contrast, large conglomerates manage extensive supply chains with 500+ facilities, making it difficult to enforce consistent social and environmental practices. This often results in quality control issues and increased waste from defective products.

Being a micro brand also means operating on a smaller budget. Larger brands exert a greater environmental impact through their expansive sales and marketing efforts. Think about fashion weeks, global trade shows, and extravagant events that small brands cannot afford. Big companies fly in celebrities, influencers, and press, covering costs for flights, hotels, and more. Do they include these impacts in their sustainability reports? Perhaps they should.

Overall, a micro business like mine has a significantly smaller footprint compared to larger fashion conglomerates. By choosing to shop with smaller independent fashion brands and investing in quality artisan products that withstand time and trends, customers can make a meaningful difference in reducing the overall environmental impact.

4. Most of your shoes are really high platform heels. Are they more sustainable?

I have always personally loved a platform heel because it gives you the height but is less of a pitch or angle on your arch as the front platform negates the pitch. You can have a 6-inch heel with a 2-inch platform, and it will have the pitch of a 4-inch heel. You can have maximum height that is still wearable with a platform. So as to sustainability for your feet not to hurt at a wedding or event so you can last longer - Lol - yes! My platform styles are what people loved from me, especially the performers like Beyoncé, Gaga and Ariana Grande who would wear them on stage while performing.

5. Style, quality, and comfort, which one comes first for your platform heels?

I can’t put one first as they are totally integrated. Every one of these characteristics is crucial when I design my platform heels. I know that high heels are not usually the most comfortable to wear, which is why I prefer a platform heel so more people can enjoy my heels. I design styles that allow for comfort and require quality workmanship and materials for that style to be achieved. You can’t stand out and stand strong if your feet hurt, or you can’t walk, which is why the comfort and wearability is also built into each style I design and these qualities all add to the long term sustainability.