Clae is a Los Angeles-based footwear brand whose name takes it inspiration from “clay”, the same raw material that is molded by movement and perception.
The brand was founded in 2001 and claims to be one of the first sneaker brands to incorporate minimalistic uppers on comfortable athletic soles. For more than 20 years Clae had been produced in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, directly in collaboration with a local workshop that managing the entire production chain with careful quality control, respecting the current local labor laws and regulations, guaranteeing 25% higher base salary than in minimum wage rates and according to healthy, safe, loyal and fair treatment of its workers.
The Clae Louie sneaker features a breathable knit upper that guarantees lightweight comfort and a secure fit, and is completed by the brand's signature new Desert Track sole. Its upper is crafted from recycled polyester yarns, which help divert used plastic from landfills and oceans, while requiring 59% less energy to be produced than virgin polyester.
The partnership with KX Lab offers Clae offers the opportunity to create a more sustainable shoe while enabling the brand to design, develop, and produce products under one roof.
As a consequence, its productive and creative processes are more efficient, helps diminish inventory waste, and allow for a quicker response to the market.
“Partnering with KX Lab to do something locally as opposed to abroad made for better accessibility and communication and added a human element to all aspects of creating this shoe,” says Jim Bartholet, CEO, Clae. “From design concept to production, our local designers were able to have more face-to-face interactions with the manufacturers, all while using a person-centric approach that values collaboration.”
“Clae’s longstanding roots in Los Angeles, its less-is-more aesthetic, and commitment to producing shoes more responsibly helped form a great foundation for this partnership,” says Joshua Katz, co-founder and CEO, KX Inc. “We’re proud of what we made together and, perhaps just as importantly, how we made it together.”
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