Style Without Compromise – A Conversation with Audrey Delanoë, Founder of iné Vegan Sneakers

Fashion is often criticized for its environmental footprint, but visionary brands like iné are changing the narrative. Founded by Audrey Delanoë, a Parisian entrepreneur, this women-led brand offers vegan sneakers that blend urban-chic style with a deep commitment to sustainability and ethics. In our interview, Audrey shares how she and her team rethink every step – from materials to production – to create sneakers that are stylish, innovative, and ethically made.

Get ready for a peek into iné’s world, where ethical fashion, sustainable fashion and bold design go hand in hand. Audrey’s insights prove that vegan sneakers can be both handmade in Portugal with luxury-quality craftsmanship and embody a forward-thinking ethos. Let’s dive into her vision of a fashion liberated from compromise.

Style Without Compromise: iné’s Mission & Vision

Q: Can you tell us about iné’s mission and vision as a company?
A: At iné, our mission is simple: to prove that fashion can be beautiful, responsible, and daring all at once. Our vision is a world of style with no compromises – a fashion that respects the planet, people, and animals without ever sacrificing creativity or edge.

Q: What inspired you to create iné, a vegan sneaker brand committed to ethical and sustainable fashion?
A: The inspiration came from a need to do things differently. I grew up believing that adults are responsible for shaping tomorrow’s world. Once I became an adult, I asked myself how I could be part of that change. I’ve always loved fashion – and I knew I wasn’t ready to give that up – so creating an ethical fashion brand felt like the obvious path. The idea of launching my own sneaker line was even more exhilarating: sneakers are an everyday staple, an iconic product I was excited to reinvent in my own way.

Q: What have been the main challenges you faced in developing a brand devoted to sustainability and environmental respect?
A: Honestly, everything has been a challenge! We had to:

• find the right designer,

• partner with the right workshop,

• identify truly sustainable materials,

• create a product that ticks all the boxes (style, comfort, durability),

• secure funding for the project,

• get our name out there,

• and of course, actually sell the sneakers…

At each stage, we made demanding choices – but that’s also what makes the adventure so rewarding.

Q: How do you define “eco-responsibility” in the fashion industry, and how do you apply it to your products?
A: For me, eco-responsibility is really a matter of common sense. It means producing less, but better, and being mindful of the impact of every decision. In practice at iné, that translates to choosing low-impact materials, manufacturing in Europe, optimizing our production volumes to avoid overproduction, and designing timeless sneakers that don’t chase fleeting trends.

Crafted in Portugal: Vegan Materials & Sustainability

Q: How do you select the materials for your sneakers to ensure they’re both vegan and durable?
A: We use only 100% vegan materials, prioritizing recycled or bio-based sources. For example, we incorporate innovative materials derived from corn and fabrics made from recycled plastic bottles. Every component is chosen based on strict criteria – durability, environmental impact, performance, and of course comfort.

Q: Can you tell us more about how your shoes are made, especially regarding the carbon footprint and waste reduction?
A: Our sneakers are crafted in northern Portugal in a family-run workshop powered entirely by renewable energy. All our materials are sourced within Europe to keep transport emissions low. We also optimize cutting patterns to minimize material waste, and we design each component with recyclability in mind to reduce our footprint throughout the production process.

Q: What efforts do you make to minimize environmental impact throughout your products’ life cycle?
A: We take action on multiple fronts:

• We design products to be long-lasting, so they stay in use and out of landfills.

• We avoid overproduction by carefully managing our inventories (quality over quantity!).

• We work with local, certified suppliers to ensure lower transport impact and fair practices.

• In the long run, we plan to implement a take-back program to give worn iné sneakers a second life.

Q: How do your vegan sneakers compare to those made with traditional materials in terms of durability and performance?
A: In terms of quality and performance, our vegan sneakers hold their own against any traditional pair. Thanks to innovative plant-based and recycled materials, they deliver excellent comfort, breathability, and durability. We’re showing that sustainability and performance can go hand-in-hand with style and ethics – our shoes don’t force you to choose one over the other.

Ethical Partnerships & Social Impact

Q: How do you ensure your partners and suppliers uphold the same ethical and environmental standards as your brand?
A: We’re very careful about who we work with. All our partners and suppliers carry robust certifications – for example, GRS (Global Recycled Standard), PETA-Approved Vegan, or ISO 14001 for environmental management. We select them for their genuine commitment and transparency, and we visit their workshops regularly to make sure our values align in practice.

Q: Does your brand engage in any social initiatives, such as supporting local communities or workers’ rights?
A: Yes, absolutely. We make it a point to work only with ateliers (workshops) that respect workers’ rights and provide good working conditions. We’re also passionate about supporting social and solidarity projects in the community – that’s an area we plan to develop even more as we grow. Giving back and doing the right thing is woven into iné’s DNA.

To learn more about iné’s ethical production, materials, and sustainability initiatives, be sure to check out our Commitments page on the website. Audrey’s journey with iné shows that ethical fashion can be both luxurious and kind – a combination that’s redefining the future of style.