EKN WHO?
Ekn Footwear has been challenging the status quo since 2012. In this way, the label aims to offer maximum quality and minimal environmental impact – and not flood the sneaker market with more poorly made shoes. All shoes from ekn footwear are made from sustainable materials and in small quantities in Portugal.
The logo is a palindrome of Nike. Because ekn want to do the complete opposite of what Nike has been doing for decades.
They flipped the script from the beginning and fit the idea and the ideology perfectly.
PROBLEM
Did you ever come across a product saying that it was made in, let’s say, India, but was designed somewhere in the so called Global North? Sure you did. But what does that actually say? Yes, we produce in a country where wages are low to make our product as affordable as possible for you (and as profitable as possible for us), but hey, no worries, the design is actually from a ‚leading‘ country, so be sure it’s really cool and you have to have it no matter what?
Do we still divide the world into two parts? The North thinks, the South produces? Who do we think we are?
Solution
We’ve left our comfort zone and found talent and subcultures right where no one looks at first glance. Their creativity and passion convinced and inspired us from the first moment on. The shoe is a statement – a sign of respect. Because in a fair world there is no privileged side to the arrangement. If fairness is the goal, we should share our aspirations.
There are no so-called producing countries. There are countries. And people. And they have amazing ideas. Period.
Meet Fashion Designer RAP
Rokaiya Ahmed Purna is an ambitious young fashion designer from Bangladesh. She brings her cultural background into all of her work artistically. Rokaiya is committed to various topics in her home country. For example, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. But also responsible consumption and production are areas in which she’s strongly committed.
All revenues go to Rokaiya’s projects in Bangladesh to support young creatives. For example, Rokaiya’s creative hub in Dhaka.
