Filipa's career is a mixture of art and architecture. Being naturally drawn to artistic areas from a very young age and interested in so many different scientific areas growing up, Filipa ended up transporting all those passions to her career.
"I've always liked trying to understand the world around me through art, psychology, maths and other scientific areas. I think the areas I work in are a direct consequence of that. It's very fulfilling being able to mix all those different action areas and knowledge."
When asked about the evolution of consuming habits in her generation, she believes: "There is more Ambiental conscience in the young generations now compared to the ones from my time. That's very positive, but there's still a lot of work to do! Together, we must learn how to grow and evolve with all the current challenges."
"My work and the way I consume are highly influenced by myself. I value products that have sustainability in mind and that support the local economy.
Regarding brands, I consider it essential that there is a concern for the longevity and reuse of their products. Deep down, issues related to the environment are a topic that has to be a concern of all of us. Doing good on the micro-scale will have repercussions on the macro-scale.
I love iGUANEYE's design, they are super original and very comfortable, and the colours are beautiful.
Usually, I'm not too fond of the feeling of exposed feet like the one we have when wearing sandals. And although iGUANEYE are open shoes, they protect all the essential parts of the foot. So I wear them often, from casual to formal events."
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Our community has been up to a lot this summer, and we love seeing all the different adventures they take with their iGUANEYEs. Check out what they have been saying about iGUANEYE! We hope they inspire you just as much as they inspire us.
"What a day! It was 9km of trekking (my first in barefoot shoes iGUANEYE) where we had everything: sun, rain, endless descents and climbs that culminated in fabulous landscapes. We had a yoga session in a meadow full of goats, dives in crystalline lagoons and a lot of friendship moments." - @raiojourney
"I’ve been wanting them for 3 years. Now that we’re moving back to Israel, where it’s summer for over 6 months a year, I’ll need more barefoot summer options. So, they’re everything I hoped they would be. Super-soft, comfy, well ventilated, and stylish too in a ballerina flat way." - @stuff_user
"Have been looking for some barefoot ballerina/dolly shoes for a while and came across these by iGUANEYE. In two years of wearing barefootshoes these are by far some of the most comfortable I own." - @hikebreezy
"Comfort. Relax. Reset. Best shoes ever" - @ana_nan__
"I just got these new sandals because I love shoes, and I’ll try anything unique. These are modeled after “shoes” made by the Amazon Indians, and they are so comfortable!" - @officialjenc
"When you catch people staring at you repeatedly and then realize you have on your “weird” shoes. I love them." - @carlene_steenekamp
Sonia is passionate about yoga and, more specifically, movement. In her practice, Sonia teaches and regularly shares her vision of a balanced way of living. Sharing is, in fact, an essential part of the journey where she (simultaneous) finds:
Frustration and Joy, Storm and Calm, Weakness and Strength, Rigidity & Freedom.
"Above all, my practice has become my personal laboratory, where I communicate with myself daily, and I become more resilient and prepared for the daily challenges.
When reflecting upon the future, I foresees a very disposable future in everything, objects, and even personal relationships. The constant need to have more and more will lead to the depletion of our mother nature's resources. Only with serious reflection and the realisation that happiness does not reside in accumulation can we aim for a sustainable future.
Yoga has dramatically influenced the way I consume. First, it opened doors to areas such as meditation and Ayurveda, and later on, related areas such as the movement and the barefoot shoe concept that inspire me every day.
Increasingly, sustainability concepts and brands that respect the environment are part of my daily life. Sustainability, cruelty-free, originality and origin are the main things I think about when buying something.
Barefoot, sustainable and 100% recyclable were the three things I loved about iGUANEYE. The fact that it is a brand with Portuguese roots from my dear Porto is a big plus.
I like the different look, the colours, the materials. I love when people ask me where I bought these shoes that look so different and super comfortable".
Photos: Sonia
]]>Want to hear something exciting? Some of our vintage colours are back!
If one of these is your colour, don't take too long to grab yours - the stock is limited.
We've relaunched six new colours:
Hot pink, Cobalt blue, Orange Peel, Cactus green, Light yellow and Russian Violet.
It's not easy to separate the different components of a product to ensure it is easily recycled at the end of the life cycle.
For us, this is just as important as the design itself.
During development and prototyping, we made sure everything would be long lasting, comfortable, yet still easily disassembled.
The result combines the right materials with an effortless fit between the two layers, creating excellent support.
Cork is a naturally antibacterial material which absorbs sweat and prevents odors, ensuring both hygiene and comfort.
A rubber outsole provides maximum resistance to abrasion.
This way, the whole shoe is flexible and adaptable to your unique foot impression.
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In the photo, the Jungle Lux Grey with Amber Orange insoles.
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As an experienced iGUANEYE customer, you know this situation: people coming up to you and asking what you are wearing! Our products are creating lots of attention, aren't they?
So why not put this attention to good use?
]]>When we founded iGUANEYE, we could have never envisioned such a strong group of fans supporting us throughout the years.
We constantly hear from our clients that people often ask them what they wear! iGUANEYEs unique design and the shoe's surprising details create curiosity and excitement!
With such a group of fans, we thought this could be an excellent opportunity to give back to our community and friends directly.
We created our Refer a Friend Program, where you can earn money for each referred sale while your friends save with your discount code. Then you can use your credit for a new pair of iGUANEYE, or let us transfer the amount directly to you via PayPal.
It's effortless: sign-up to your personalised affiliate page, create your discount and manage your referrals.
Every time someone tries on a pair of iGUANEYEs, comfort and lightness are two of the most used words to describe them.
Where does all this comfort come from? Let's see:
1. The materials are neutral, hypoallergenic, soft and very flexible.
The main part is an advanced elastomer and the sole is made of cork (98%) and natural latex (2%) and is coated with leather hide (in Freshoes and Jungle Lux).
2. There is enough space for your toes to fit perfectly without being too loose or too tight.
3. They follow your movement closely.
4. The shape was created to perfectly conform to the contours of your feet.
5. The design was custom-made to provide a supportive, secure and extremely comfortable fit.
6. Incorporates a removable and ventilated sole (Freshoes).
7. iGUANEYE Freshoes' ventilated system is made of six openings and of a series of canals which allow fresh air to circulate under the foot arch.
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Since day one, all of the stages of our creation process have been thoughtfully considered: from every tiny detail from the materials to production until the end of the product's life. This became our ethos, created organically:
The idea behind iGUANEYE was inspired by natural walking in the tales of the Amazonian Indians who used to protect their feet by dipping them in latex from the trees. Adjusting like a second-skin, iGUANEYE's snug fit adapts to all your movements, and because of the advanced elastomer, it avoids irritation on your feet. The material used for the main part is neutral, hypoallergenic, soft, and very flexible to ensure maximum comfort.⠀
The main part of the shoe incorporates a removable and ventilated insole. This insole is made of cork (98%) and natural latex (2%) and is coated with leather hide. By choosing these materials, we ensure top hygiene and comfort. Leather is soft to the skin, and cork acts as a naturally antibacterial material, which absorbs sweat and prevents odours.
The insoles are also handmade in Portugal using innovative technology: a micro-net incorporated into the sole at the moulding stage allows the cork to take various shapes and support distortions.Where have you been walking around lately? We are celebrating our amazing community! That's why we are now sharing all your beautiful pictures with #youriguaneyes out there.
This is Sónia, from @raiojourney:
"What a day! It was 9km of trekking (my first in barefoot shoes @iguaneye 😊) where we had everything!
Sun, rain, endless descents and climbs that culminated in fabulous landscapes. We had a yoga session in a meadow full of goats 🐐, dives in crystalline lagoons and a lot of friendship moments ✨ "
@raiojourney is wearing our (dusty) Freshoes Mastic.
Have something special to share? If so, please send us your photos and we will publish them on our social media and newsletter!
One of the best ways to enjoy it is mindfully walking, paying attention to every detail. For a stroll around the city, a beach walk or a picnic in the park, iGUANEYE is just like second-skin, adjusting to all your movements. The shape of the iGUANEYE has been created to perfectly conform to the contours of your feet, making you feel connected with nature but secure and comfortable at the same time.
The advanced elastomer used for the main part is neutral, hypoallergenic, soft and very flexible, allowing one to enjoy the feeling of barefoot walking safely and ultra-comfortable.
To celebrate this new Spring season, we are happy to offer a 10% discount on your next order until April 7th. Use the code "WELCOMESPRING" at the check-out and get 10% off your purchase.
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They're called Freshoes and this is one of the main reasons why your feet will always feel good: iGUANEYE's ventilated system is made of six openings and of a series of canals that allow fresh air to circulate under the foot arch. This feeling of freshness just feels like not wearing anything and walking barefoot!
The main body of the Freshoes is like a second skin: one piece construction, organic design, no glue, no seams. They clinch to your feet with a unique heel cup and a special integrated first toe cover (unlike flip-flops, the piece that parts the toes is placed slightly ahead).
The main part is built with an advanced elastomer which is neutral, hypoallergenic, soft and very flexible.It is also 100% recyclable.
All sensitive parts of your feet are protected so you feel confident, as if you were wearing conventional shoes.
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With a social science and industrial design background, the Britanny based french maker Violaine Buet spent seven years in Southern India. There she nurtured her passion for textiles and engaged in a two years apprenticeship in a local workshop.
Later she enrolled at the Parisian Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Création Industrielle, where she started researching seaweed and its potential for fabrics and textiles.
Back in Britanny, Violaine founded her studio, where she develops and makes incredible seaweed fabrics and studies their application in objects, scenography, fashion, interior design and visual merchandising.
You can follow Violaine and learn more about her work on the studio website.
Violaine is an iGUANEYE fan and sent us some pictures with her Freshoes, one of the most comfortable shoes to wear both in the studio and during the fieldwork (which you might imagine occurs in wet and sandy places).
Photo credits: Pierre-Yves Dinasquet
Where have you been walking around lately? We are celebrating our amazing community! That's why we are now sharing all your beautiful pictures with #youriguaneyes out there.
Have something special to share? If so, please send your pictures to community@iguaneye.com, and we will publish them on our social media and brand new newsletter!
]]>iGUANEYE Jungle is a extremely comfortable sandal. It provides ultra-minimal foot protection and acts like a second skin, following all your movements.
Here's how this amazing sandal is made.
A piece of Ultraflex elastomer only wraps around your big toe and your heel. By doing so, it secures a thick ergonomic sole under your feet and just like magic, it holds!
Our favourite version, Jungle Lux, has a sole made from a mixture of cork and latex. This natural dual layer sole not only supports, but cork is a naturally antibacterial material, which absorbs sweat and prevents odors, ensuring both hygiene and comfort.
The Lux sole is covered with a soft leather hide and a rubber out-sole provides maximum resistance to abrasion. Flexible and adaptable, Jungle can adjust to your unique foot impression.
]]>We believe that we must produce the most comfortable sandals and a durable product at the same time. By doing this, we use much fewer resources and, at the same time, you optimize your investment. Buying fewer things but buying better ones, it's how the story goes.
Designing a durable shoe and sourcing the best materials and manufacturers is not enough, though. It's also up to you, dear customer, to take good care of your shoes and make them last for many more joyful miles.
For doing that, we would love to share with you a few valuable tips on how to make your iGUANEYE last longer.
The main body needs no particular care. You can wash it under running water with soap or in a washing machine at 60°C maximum temperature.
On the inside, the cork and leather insoles can absorb up to 67% of humidity which they evacuate naturally. If they are wet, dry them at room temperature. Be aware of never using a source of heat because it can affect the leather.
The Suede Leather insoles are 98% made of cork for maximum hygiene and comfort. At the first use, the insoles may leave some cork particles inside the main body. That is normal and alters in nothing their performance.
The Jungle Light EVA insoles can loose a bit of their volume over time. Putting them in hot water will makes them pop back to their original shape.
For an optimized lifespan, we recommend the use of two pairs of removable insoles.
And now, it's time to go outside and hit the road!⠀
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One of our leading suppliers is a Portuguese factory making the iGUANEYE's insoles, located a short drive from Porto. Since the beginning, this factory was fundamental to our growth, providing valuable insights during the developing stages, believing in the product and allowing for small runs, something critical for a startup.
The removable and ventilated soles are typically made of cork (98%) and natural latex (2%) and coated with leather hide. In addition, we use innovative technology by incorporating a micro-net into the sole at the molding stage, allowing the cork to take various shapes and support distortions, something fundamental to provide the necessary comfort and durability.
By choosing these materials, we ensure top hygiene and comfort. Leather is soft to the skin, and cork acts as a naturally antibacterial material, absorbing sweat and preventing odors.
For all our model, the insoles are removable. You can purchase insoles as standalone if you need to replace them or if you simply want to mix and match the colors.
This Spring, we decided to move one step further and launched a new, more functional website, now available in four languages and iGUANEYE Days, our monthly newsletter.
We will publish, for you and our community, new content about our shoes, the technology supporting your walking, the iGUANEYE community and the great people in our team.
To celebrate, we are offering you a 10% discount on your next purchase. You can redeem it using the code FRESH at the check-out.
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Just like walking barefoot, but with a bit of support. We designed your iGUANEYEs inspired by the tales of the Amazonian Indians who used to protect their feet by dipping them in latex from the trees. Starting with this very simple idea, we developed a sophisticated shoe keeping the material's minimum enough to free the foot, but with some protection, just like a second skin.
But this is not the only reason we are a minimalist brand. We like a simple and effective design, but also care for the low impact of our products' life cycle. A pair of iGUANEYEs is made here in Portugal, to last and with high quality and ecological materials. After a long life and many miles, the shoes can be disassembled easily and the different parts sent to a common recycling bin.
Photo: Miguel Barbot
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Hi! It's usually from Porto that I reply to your messages. But it can be at times from Lisbon (where I often visit friends), or even my hometown (Castelo Branco). Being a bit of a nomadic soul makes me wander often, but it is Porto the city that I embraced to live in for the last four years (and counting). I am a product designer, but for the past few years, I started shifting towards curation, production and promotion of brands committed to changing the paradigm of fast fashion: brands, just like iGUANEYE, who want to improve their impact on the planet and the lives of all involved in the supply chain.
Working close to these brands and helping them spread their message (and hopefully their products) is one thing that makes me happy.
I have sustainability as one of my personal battles. It only makes sense for me to work with brands that defy the traditional production and consumption system. As we evolve, the lines get very thin: you cannot disconnect your beliefs and who you are from what you do and how you do it. It just doesn't make sense anymore.
I've met dedicated advocates for better fashion and incredible human beings: they are a huge inspiration. When we met Olivier (the founder of iGUANEYE, who also chose Porto to live), it was very obvious that he was one of those. He is a dreamer and has been working really hard for the last ten years to create a global product that is wholly produced and sourced in Portugal. And that is just admirable, I was thrilled to start working with him.
On how amazing are the iGUANEYE shoes.
Well, that's the cherry on top of the cake. Besides sharing the brand's ethos, when I wore my Freshoes for the first time, my birkies got a break for the next few days. I must confess it took me a while to make up my mind about this design, but in the minute I wore them the first time, they simply hugged my feet and made me company for the whole spring and summer. And they make my feet look so cool!
My favorite combo was the Freshoes Light Grey with the Yellow Green insoles. Until this summer, when the Yellow Sun Freshoes were released. I guess those are my favorite now. I would mix them with the waterproof insoles to get a pair ready for new (and soaked) adventures.
On what should be next for iGUANEYE.
Hmm, good one. I guess many people are expecting some cold weather versions (yes, I read through all your messages and comments!)
Besides that, I think it should be great fun to organize a collab' with a like-minded brand and see what comes out! When the energy is good, great things can happen!
]]>Rita Parente, aka Cocoon Cooks, writes about food, sharing her vegan recipes and promoting a more healthy and balanced lifestyle. Rita loves traveling and is the mother of a one-year-old called Simão.
She lived for some time in Lisbon and, after relocating back to the sun-soaked Portuguese south, is now living in Faro, her native Algarve capital.
"I have always been interested in food, and after a health problem in my family, I excluded meat and animal products from my diet. Then, my boyfriend André and I started the blog Cocoon Cooks, followed by our cookbook. From then, the vegan movement became interconnected with our jobs, as graphic designer (me) and photographer (André). We are now working with vegan brands and organizations.
I'm inspired by many different things. Travelling informs our food and taste, but our main life inspiration is the work carried out by our' family' at Quinta das Águias natural sanctuary in Paredes de Coura (in the rain-soaked northern Portugal). They are a great example of ethics in dealing with animal welfare and our planet's natural resources. I'm a full-time graphic designer, and in my work, I'm inspired by all my activist colleagues worldwide.
Our generation is heading in the right way in what matters to healthy eating, animal welfare, and environmental sustainability. I'm reasonably optimistic. I see veganism as something that is here for good.
Veganism goes beyond the plate. Being vegan dictates the way I consume and buy everything, from clothing to cosmetics or homewares. Nothing can be made using or tested in animals. I also try to use recycled materials that can be reused as many times as possible.
I'm very interested in quality when buying something. I prefer to spend more on something made to last, but I admit that sometimes I slip into some fast fashion or less eco-friendly products, but I try to do the best I can.
The thing that amused me most when trying my first pair of iGUANEYE was the look. It looks just like the open shoe in Portugal we call 'Sabrina', but much more comfortable. A few years ago, I quit using that sort of uncomfortable shoe, but now I have iGUANEYE. The design of the shoe is fantastic, very unconventional. I like it to be different. You can see that in my hairstyles, tattoos, clothes. I will definitely use iGUANEYE with many different looks and outfits.]]>We are and will be, a small brand based and making minimalist shoes in Europe. Without a huge marketing budget, most of our efforts go to innovation and product development, to make a better and more sustainable minimal shoe. We still want to produce a pair of iGUANEYE you can safely throw into a forest to decompose after a long life. After a long life and after much more kilometers than one typically walks or runs in a pair of shoes.
Our growth is slow and steady and has been supported by a worldwide community of incredible customers and a committed network of stockists and distributors. A good part of our sales is for returning customers and their friends with whom they share the enthusiasm for these weird-looking, minimalist shoes.
You, dear iGUANEYE Days reader, can also help us reach more like-minded people, by using the hashtag #iguaneye and sharing your experience with the shoes.
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Ana Novais (AKA Petiscos) used to be a chef, then a food stylist, and now helps food and lifestyle brands with their communication. Her main concerns are quality, provenience and sustainability. Before, in what now seems another life, she worked in theater, cinema and television. Born in Porto and now based in Lisbon, she lived in Rome, Berlin and Munich.
My professional life took me to many places. This experience informed the way I consume and eat. Germany was critical in this process. The way they eat there is much different than it used to be in Portugal
I’m now very conscious when buying. Just not the food, but everything else. I believe brands have an essential role in a better future. Sustainability and innovation drive my choices and are two things I enjoy in iGUANEYE. That and the lightness of the shoes. They are so light!
Photos: Ana Novais, Miguel Barbot
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"My work is related to everything natural. We have everything we need inside us, that's a thing I believe in. I carry this thought in everything in my life and work, especially in my yoga practice.
Both the yoga practice and Buddhist philosophy give us an elementary and minimalist platform for our lives. We don't need many material things to be a whole person. Thins do not fulfill us or make us what we are.
Before being a yoga teacher and educator, I was a holistic therapist for ten years. I used to love what I was doing, but yoga gradually became my life, and that's what I am right now. I love teaching and providing transforming tools to others. I love when my students transform their lives just as I did to mine.
The yoga method I teach is very particular. I like my students to be as careful and demanding as I am. That's a great motivation to keep passing my knowledge and similar foundations to a new generation of teachers.
I think the future in Portugal is auspicious. The mentality is changing, the demand is getting higher, as is the quality of teachers and studios. The yoga market is growing at a fast pace, which can also be dangerous, as some studios are not as careful as they should in what concerns quality and student safety. But I want to believe that, in the end, the best studios will prevail.
The job I chose makes me have a broader notion of the connection between us as humans and Nature. This informs the way I consume. I'm not a very consumerist person and put a lot of thought in the act of buying, for multiple reasons. I like to know beforehand where the things I buy are made and if it is responsibly. This is particularly important in clothing. Of course, for someone with my lifestyle, comfort is also crucial.
Nowadays, the most trustworthy brands have this incredibly difficult task of helping consumers to be more alert to greenwashing and damaging business practices. In an ideal world, these brands would lead other more prominent brands to a positive change, bringing real, sustainable approaches to the mainstream. Now more and more people want to know how things are made. Maybe a bigger and more competitive market could have a positive influence on prices for this sort of sustainable goods.
iGUANEYE is a great example. I love that their shoes are made in Porto, that the brand is based in my hometown. The design is outstanding. The way the shoes adapt to the foot, without laces or buttons, their simplicity and comfort. The shoes are so light! It feels we don't have anything on.
I spend most part of the day barefoot, you know? And I like to carry that feeling when putting my shoes on. I use iGUANEYEs on multiple occasions. In my daily life in Porto, on weekends, at the beach or on a hike in the mountains. They are so versatile!
Photos: Filipa Li, Miguel Barbot
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