"The catwalk clog (revived of late by Dior and Gucci) comes from humble beginnings. Centuries before Marilyn Monroe, Kate Moss, Mary-Kate Olsen and Dakota Johnson stepped out in various iterations of the modest wooden slip-on, the clog was part of the protective uniform worn by farm and factory workers during the Industrial Revolution."
(Marilyn) Monroe was so far ahead of the game when she posed for photographer Milton Greene in a pair of homespun black clogs in 1956 for the ‘Peasant Sitting’ shoot, that fashion didn’t yet know what had hit it. An unlikely hero shoe had arrived (complete with guarantees of good posture, warmth and unassuming practicality). The clog would go on to inspire a wholesome kind of cool in the ‘70s, when bohemia reigned supreme, sealing its chic-cum-earthy reputation beloved of art teachers worldwide.
Mainstream appearances in every subsequent decade and countless interpretations followed. By the ‘90s, the low-heeled, unisex style appealed to a grungy youth that favoured simplicity and was parked alongside the Birkenstock sandal.
What makes clogs so inspiring? They succinctly capture the incoming mood that sees us spellbound by all things which pertain to a natural lifestyle, alongside bee pollen and Bikram yoga"
Some things have changed since the last time clogs were a hot ticket item - and changed for the better! Consumers around the world are now paying attention to how companies are sourcing and manufacturing. We're also paying more attention to how our sourcing and manufacturing affects the environment and have begun moving toward more sustainable business practices across the entire company.
Our new EcoWool clog is made with wool sourced from sustainable and cruelty free small farms. Every clog sold helps small farmers preserve native sheep species that are not otherwise used in large scale wool production. Read more about our Species Preservation Initiative.
We use no chemicals in the processing of the wool and leave it un-dyed and totally natural. Our cork is sourced from Portugal and rubber outsole from Italy. This clog is completely plastic free and made of sustainably sourced materials. Our non-toxic adhesive is the only inorganic part of this shoe, but it is necessary for construction and longevity.
Our entire Ecowool sourcing and production supply chain lies within 1000 miles of our Austria facility. Our wool production in Tirol, Austria is zero waste and carbon neutral. All the wool that is lost in the carding, cutting and knitting is recycled so that we have been able to reduce waste significantly, as well as minimize costs.
We use only fresh alpine water for our felting process, and it remains so clean and chemical free during production that we can channel it back into the rivers without environmental impact. The only additives introduced to the water during the felting process are wool fibers, dirt from the wool and lanolin
Additionally, we reduce our energy and thermal losses through smart thermal management and heat recovery that is able to recycle thermal energy from production processes. Where possible, we use renewable energy sources and are undergoing a facility wide effort to assess the possibility of converting entirely to solar.
Fortunately for the environment, things like sustainable business practices, recycling, chemical reduction, solar and other methods of reducing manufacturing impacts are not trends, but are here to stay. While trends come and go and fashion clogs have come full circle on the runway, Stegmann is committed to making quality, comfortable footwear you can count on year after year.
