Photos by Galt Visual • July 1, 2015
In the essence of old school American values and the current generation's growing social consciousness, 2120 Footwear is paving the way for high-quality handcrafted products in the sustainable footwear scene with its latest 2015 collection. Since balancing fine craftsmanship and holistic sustainability are key components to the brand, each style is designed in Los Angeles and then handcrafted in León, Mexico with the finest materials (vegetable-tanned leather being one of the most common choices).
We had the opportunity to preview the inaugural collection at The Well retail-salon-studio space in Downtown Los Angeles for a pop-up event hosted by menswear style blogger Tommy Lei. The 2120 brand not only consists of a modern, design-driven studio, but employs artisan shoemakers with manufacturing techniques dating back to the 17th century, where the post-Industrial Revolution era necessitated a higher standard of construction and design in footwear. The result is an innovative upgrade to the classic, minimalist 40s silhouette with a focus on the finer details for both the contemporary man and woman.
In line with their conviction toward sustainability, each product is handmade in safe, monitored boutique factories by fair-wage workers with premium hides that are ethically-sourced. Each one is hand selected for the collection and stretched over custom up to 3 days to optimize structure and shape. Additionally, 5% of the proceeds from the 2120 Kickstarter will be donated to Hav-a-Sole Organization, providing footwear for the homeless and disadvantaged within Los Angeles.
Any designer that puts this level of detail in constructing premium and timeless footwear, while mastering the art of purveying a socially conscious environment for those involved, garners much respect in our books. We hope you enjoy our coverage of those who came together to celebrate the brand's inaugural launch by lifestyle photographer James Galt (@galtvisual).
