Mira
Plant-Based, Ergonomic Heels Empowering Women
Sustainability
1. Reduce plastic in the footwear industry by sourcing plant-based, low-impact, durable materials.
2. Reduce our carbon footprint by sourcing our materials locally and responsibly.
Sustainability
1. Reduce plastic in the footwear industry by sourcing plant-based, low-impact, durable materials.
2. Reduce our carbon footprint by sourcing our materials locally and responsibly.
Project type / Plant-Based Footwear Manufacturing, Ergonomic Design Innovation
Dates / 2018-2022
Role / Founder
Seed Funding / $30.85k
Sustainability
1. Reduce plastic in the footwear industry by sourcing plant-based, low-impact, durable materials.
2. Reduce our carbon footprint by sourcing our materials locally and responsibly.
Social Responsibility
1. Partner with Socially Responsible vendors and manufacturers, ensuring ethical labor and fair pay.
2. Provide women with ergonomic footwear designs with comfort that lasts all day and years to come.
Quick Links:
Timeline
Fall 2018 – Ideation
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First drawing of ergonomic heels
Winter 2018 – Research
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Design
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Components
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Foot Anatomy
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User Interviews
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Spring 2019 – Designs
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Heavy research into foot anatomy and effect of heel height on plantar pressure
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Experimenting with toe box shape and metatarsal pads for comfort
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Initial research on recycled and bio-based materials
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Secondary research:
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fast fashion overseas
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socially responsible manufacturing
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forced labor risks
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women's empowerment and education
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Summer 2019 – Pioneer Scholar + Human Rights Research
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4-week research abroad in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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Observed working conditions in "fast-fashion" factories
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+ Impact on women's health, wellbeing, and education
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Observed Safety + Social Compliance procedures
Fall 2019– Brand
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Madelines brand formation
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Blog creation + essays on Eco-Feminism
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Market Research
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Partnered with sustainable material vendors
Winter 2019– Sustainable Material Experimentation
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Experimenting with Mycelium compression for block heels
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3D printed molds
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Grew mycelium in a controlled lab environment
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Tested a minimum viable product and adjusted strategy
*Minimum viable product testing below*
Spring 2020– India and Nepal Abroad
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Focus on Women's Lives, Empowerment, and Conservation
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Read more / watch documentaries here
Covid-19 Pandemic
Break from production during the beginning of the pandemic and while spending time supporting Black Lives Matter (read here)
Fall + Winter 2020 – Sustainable Materials + Tech Packs
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Deep Evaluation of Sustainability and Social Responsibility of materials and vendors
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Partnered with Elenor Ferry, London Based Designer for tech packs and official designs
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Incorporated 1300+ reports, 125+ user interviews, recommendations from podiatrist consultants, and results from several PhD thesis papers to inform our comfort insoles and their emphasis on shock absorption, bone alignment, widening toe box to the natural fit of the average foot width, and relieving metatarsal pain.
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Spring 2021 – Rebrand + First Round Grant Funding
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Evaluating Manufacturing Partners
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Set environmental and social responsibility criteria for partners
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Secured initial vendors for plant-based materials
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Developed Social Responsibility Initiatives and strategy for future Mira programs
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Award Information Here
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Winter/ Spring 2022 – Everlane Next Collective Recipient
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Fellowship Program
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Industry Experts
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$20,000 Grant Funding
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Read More Here
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Spring 2022 – First Pullovers​
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Sourcing 10+ Components (evaluating ESG criteria)
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Reviewing Social Compliance Audits, Higgs Index Criteria, and SA8000 Compliant Partners
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Partnered with Manufacturer in Brazil
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Spring 2022 – Prototypes & New Factory​
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Moved manufacturing to Portugal due to repeat social responsibility risks
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Prototypes of plant-based, ergonomic footwear
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Hired two marketing positions
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Promoted educational content on social platforms
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Invited to NYFW Trade Show​
