“We always make what we are looking for ourselves and cannot find.” Julie and Marie Skall give us the lowdown on tapping Arteana to create the lace-trimmed vegan sandals of our dreams
While the industry is making strides forward in the world of ethical footwear (read: Veja), the thought of vegan shoes still tends to call to mind clunky clogs or frumpy, earthy-toned boots. But the Skall sisters of Skall Studio – vegans themselves – have dreamed up a style that elevates the ethical shoe to a deserving place on our wishlists.
Serving as the stylish foundation to a handful of looks on today’s spring/summer ‘24 runway at Copenhagen Fashion Week, the duo created a capsule of four eye-catching lace-trimmed sandals in collaboration with luxury Italian shoemaker Arteana. “We have kept a close eye on Arteana for quite a while, and when we met the founders, we found out that we shared many of the same values,” Julie and Marie Skall describe the collaboration’s conception.
The sisters have worked lovingly with lace since Skall Studio launched, and with Arteana known for its lace sandals, it was a match made in heaven. “We have always been fascinated by lace,” the duo say. “Not only because of the craftsmanship behind this old craft but also because we think it is beautiful and feminine.”
We have always been fascinated by lace. Not only because of the craftsmanship behind this old craft but also because we think it is beautiful and feminine.
Julie and Marie Skall
The collection shown today at the Den Sorte Diamant library in Copenhagen presented a new spin on Skall Studio's lace affinity, particularly the blue ‘Jojo’ dress and off-white ‘Rami’ shirt. “If you look closely, you will see that this is the exact same lace reference as on our lace sandals,” the pair points out.
Using traditional techniques, the sandals are constructed from organic cotton, set on a vegan and imitation leather base. The colourings are classic Skall Studio – black, white with a dusty rose and vintage blue tones that have recently crept into the brand’s palette. “The black and dusty rose embroidery is inspired by a brushstroke,” the sisters add, “and also references the ‘S’ embroidered on our new cropped shirt style.”
"We had been looking for feminine vegan sandals for a long time, and we always make what we are looking for ourselves and cannot find,” the designers say. “You could say that these sandals sum up the Skall Studio DNA and also the spring/summer '24 collection: classic, casual and feminine.”
The Skall x Arteana collaboration is just a taste of more vegan accessories to come from the Danish brand, with its 100% jute bags also reappearing for SS24 in new iterations. “We believe in an animal-friendly future, and we believe we need to speak with the voice that animals do not have themselves.”
The Portofino Flat Lace & Portofino Flat Stripe sandals will be available March 2024 at the Skall Studio store, webshop and selected stores worldwide.