soleRebels, a unique line of hand-made footwear, are accredited through the WFTO (World Fair Trade Organization) which means the manufacturer follows the WFTO's 10 Principles of Fair Trade, covering working conditions, transparency, wages, the environment, gender equity and more.
soleRebels Sandals | soleRebels Slip-ons | soleRebels Lace-up
soleRebels was founded by Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, her husband, and her brother, in the village of Zenabwork in the outskirt of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in May 2005.
The business was founded with several key goals in mind: sell high quality, artisan-crafted footwear; create job opportunities for the local community; and use business and fair trade – not foreign aid – as an important tool in lifting people out of poverty.
SoleRebels brand features men and women trainers, sandals, slippers and other trendy open shoes which are made from recycled car tires and organic hand spun and hand loomed fabrics, which are sold in the United States and Europe as well as in Japan through its sister company soleRebels Japan.
The company has captured global interest and featured in various international media, including the BBC, CNN, Discovery Channel, The Guardian, the Independent, Marie Claire magazine, and Vanity Magazine. In August 2010, soleRebels bested dozens of footwear brands in the USA and was awarded the 2010 Green Award by EcoBold, the Silicon Valley-based provider of online video reviews of green and eco-friendly products.
