The making of Men’s.
Men’s has arrived, and it’s been years in the making. In preparing for this launch, we relentlessly focused on R&D, pushing our sustainable techniques to the next level. The result? An industry first: Men’s shoes featuring intentional design, exceptional comfort and unparalleled style—all produced with nearly no waste.
So what exactly goes into creating the future of footwear? Here’s a look at some of the numbers.
100% knit with plastic bottles in our fully owned factory, for washable, flexible style that moves with you.
75% lower carbon footprint is generated in our shoe upper production, compared to the industry average.
1% material waste is generated in the production of our men’s uppers. A traditional leather equivalent produces 54% waste on average.
30% material waste is avoided by using our knit-to-shape technique, compared to traditional cut-and-sew methods.
60x—that’s the number of times our men’s shoes are washed during development to ensure they remain durable.
We spoke to the creative mind behind this launch, Lavion, to hear more about how he approached bringing these styles to life (that's him above, holding a prototype sneaker during development).
What was your favorite part about designing a line of men's shoes?
My favorite part of designing our very first men’s line was envisioning what the foundation of men’s footwear would look like for Rothy’s, and setting out on the journey to bring our signature blend of comfort, sustainability and innovation to a brand new audience.
The Driving Loafer is such a striking shoe. Tell us a bit about the inspiration behind this style, and some of its design details.
The Driving Loafer is an iconic silhouette. We were inspired by the history behind this slip-on style—from its functional details like the raised nub outsoles, to the beautifully crafted welted stitch that defines the signature look of the vamp. The result is our uniquely Rothy’s take on a timeless classic.
Where and how do you expect to see The Driving Loafer worn most often?
This style is incredibly versatile and can offer an elevated look to your daily wardrobe, whatever the occasion. I am most excited to see how our customers wear and style The Driving Loafer in their own way.
The sneaker has long been a wardrobe staple. How did you go about reimagining this classic in a uniquely Rothy’s way?
I think the essence of what makes The RS01 Sneaker unique are the same principles that make all of our products unique: Timeless style, sustainable materials, innovative manufacturing, and pushing ourselves to consider how we can build better products through design. Plus, it really is the most comfortable sneaker in my closet.
When it comes to the craftsmanship of The RS01 Sneaker, what are some special details worth knowing about?
The integrated padded ankle collar (stuffed with excess material), the soft terry-lined tongue, and the dual-density footbed provide lasting comfort that pairs well with our one-of-a-kind upper design—all built to emphasize the beauty of 3D knitting and our sustainable materials.
Now for the most important question: Which shoe can we find you in most often?
I intend to keep both in my weekly rotation!
Lightning round:
What book is currently on your nightstand?
Keep Going: 10 Ways to Stay Creative in Good Times and Bad by Austin Kleon.
What’s your favorite podcast and why?
Revisionist History Hosted By Malcom Gladwell. The retrospective look at different events and topics is quite fascinating, and I love Malcom Gladwell!
If you could choose any car in the world to drive while wearing The Driving Loafer, what would it be (real or otherwise)?
Porsche 356 Speedster. That would be quite the dream experience.
If you could only wear one shoe color for the rest of your life, which would you choose?
A pair of white sneakers will never go out of style.
