KOKOLU
Location
China
Made In
China
Values
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Transparent
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Fair
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Give Back
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Vegan
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Gender Equality
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Circularity
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BIPOC
“Who said waste only ends up in landfills? We make it into stylish and comfortable fashion, shoes and accessories that you use every single day.”
Founded by Luanne Guo, KOKOLU is a B Corp Certified sustainable lifestyle brand providing conscious consumers with ethically-made sneakers, apparel and accessories.
As a B Corp-certified business, KOKOLU meets extremely high environmental and socially responsible production standards. The KOKOLU products are made from a range of eco-friendly materials, including recycled, natural and biodegradable fabrics. To reduce waste and energy consumption, they are produced in various innovative and sustainable ways, such as 3D knitting and waterless dyeing.
What’s more, the people who make the KOKOLU products work in a fair, clean and safe environment, and are paid above award wages; the KOKOLU items are packaged in environmentally-friendly, FSC-certified packaging; and KOKOLU donates 1% of their sales revenue in collaboration with 1% For The Planet revenue and plants one tree for every purchase made.
Want to know where KOKOLU sits and what they’re working on in terms of these 5 values? Hover over these values to find out.
Eco Friendly
We only use either recycled, natural, or biodegradable materials to make our products and we apply the most innovative techniques such as 3D knitting and waterless dyeing to reduce waste and energy consumption.
Fair
Before we confirm to cooperate with our supply chain partners, we make sure that the workers are treated well and fairly. This includes a clean and safe working environment and fair and above average wages. That’s why we are so proud to have achieved B Corp Certification this year in January, the toughest certification for a company to get.
Minimal Waste
We use a waterless dyeing technique that uses 80% less water than average, and there is no wastewater. Our 3D knitting technique is a computer-programmed whole-shaped technology that produces almost zero waste material.
Give Back
We work with One Tree Planted and 1% For The Planet organizations. For every purchase made, we plant one tree and donate 1% of our sales revenue. As well as 5% of our Pink Tote and socks sales are donated to breastcancer.org.
Transparent
We trace our entire supply chain and that’s why we know clearly where and what our materials are made from. It is definitely complicated, but we’re continuously trying to further enhance our supply chain transparency.
Behind the Brand
“At KOKOLU, we believe in the power of women. As a female entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of KOKOLU I believe women dare to create change. Having witnessed nowadays people's frustration with excessive supplies, waste, and pollution, I think it is time to change the way people are living.”.
What does a better tomorrow look like to you?
Our mission is to lead global consumers’ sustainable lifestyles. To me, a better tomorrow is a greener planet with the harmonious coexistence of all creatures.
One book and documentary everyone should read/watch? Why?
I would recommend the book A Short History of Nearly Everything by Bill Bryson because the book talks about nearly every aspect of the planet – how it formed, how much it weighs, its size, the stages it went through, the dangers inherent to it, and how humans have evolved. I’m a science and history lover, so this is a must-read book for me and probably you.
What made you start your business?
Change happens when we start to question. Who said waste can only end up in landfills? We make them into stylish and comfy items that you use every day. Who said sustainable products are always boring? We make them fun, chic, and bold. It is the spirit of ‘keep questioning’ that inspired me to start KOKOLU.
What do you wish people knew about your journey?
At KOKOLU, we believe in the power of women. As a female entrepreneur, founder, and CEO of KOKOLU I believe women dare to create change. Having witnessed nowadays people’s frustration with excessive supplies, waste, and pollution, I think it is time to change the way people are living.
What advice do you have for your teenage self?
Be brave to challenges.
Best way to recharge?
Working out.
Alive or dead, what five people would you invite for dinner?
Gabrielle Chanel, Steve Jobs, Warren E. Buffett, Bill Bowerman, and Michael Jackson.
What’s your suggested first step for someone wanting to shop more ethically?
Putting the planet first when making shopping decisions.
Hot tip for easy eco-living at home?
Begin using recyclable shopping bags.