Third Oak is challenging millennials’ perception about sustainable “Made in USA” footwear, one flip-flop at a time.
The new direct-to-consumer brand is the millennial-focused spin-off of Okabashi, the Georgia-based sandal manufacturer that has been producing footwear in the U.S. since 1984.
The collection, retailing for $30, launched Tuesday with women’s. Men’s styles are slated for June.
While Okabashi serves the wellness shoe category and sister brand Oka-B has captured the interest of vacation and resort-goers, CEO and founder Sara Irvani envisions Third Oak as a “sleek and sustainable” brand consumers can feel positively toward.
“It’s a brand that consumers can feel good about and look good in,” she told Sourcing Journal.
The line of sandals is made with cruelty-free vegan bio-based material derived from soy. The recyclable material enables the company to operate a closed-loop recycling process.
Consumers are encouraged to send their used Third Oak sandals back to the company, which will re-ground and reused in new footwear, in exchange for 15 percent off a new pair.
The debut collection offers 30 color ways of the Scout, a classic thong silhouette. The brand taps into millennial color trends, include their tendencies toward soft metallics, bright pink and robin’s egg blue.
Monochromatic styles are available as well as sandals with navy or toffee color footbeds. Each pair of sandals is packaged in an organic travel satchel.