Sustainability at Mangará
We started Mangará on a simple belief: that you're better served by a few well-made pairs than a closet full of shoes you'll replace next year. Sustainability, for us, isn't a marketing layer — it's the way the shoes are actually made. Here's what that means, concretely.
What "LWG-Gold leather" actually means
We source our leather from tanneries rated Gold by the Leather Working Group (LWG) — the leather industry's leading environmental certification. LWG audits tanneries on water and energy use, chemical management, traceability and waste, and Gold is the highest rating awarded. Choosing Gold-rated suppliers means our leather is produced to a standard most footwear brands never ask for. It's a deliberate choice, and usually a more expensive one — we think it's worth it.
Slow fashion, made to last
The most sustainable shoe is the one you don't have to replace. Our pairs are made in small batches by hand, from materials chosen to age well — full-grain and calf leathers that soften rather than crack, natural jute and raffia platforms, and plant-based textiles. Cared for simply, a Mangará pair is built to last many seasons. Fewer, better, longer — that's the whole idea.
Made in Southern Brazil
Every pair is handcrafted in the ateliers of Southern Brazil, a region with a deep shoemaking heritage. Working with skilled artisans there lets us keep quality high and volumes intentionally low, and it keeps a genuine craft alive. Our founder, Patricia, built Mangará on long-term partnerships based on trust, transparency and shared growth — the people who make our shoes aren't interchangeable, and we don't treat them that way.
The materials we choose
- Leather — LWG-Gold sourced; supple, durable, made to mould to your foot.
- Jute & raffia — natural plant fibres for our espadrille and wedge platforms.
- Textiles — plant-based fabrics on selected flats and mules.
We favour natural materials that age gracefully over synthetics that don't.
What we're working on next
We're honest about this being a journey, not a finished badge. We're continuing to improve traceability, packaging and end-of-life care so your shoes stay out of landfill longer.
Buy better, wear longer
If that philosophy resonates, so will the shoes.