Two new shoe designs by Ruthie Davis ’80 certainly have appeal for the environmentally conscious customer. And, quite literally, they have a peel. 

The "Bio By Ruthie Davis" collection uses Uppeal bio leather by Mabel Industries, which Ruthie’s website describes as “a revolutionary material made from discarded apple peels, seeds, and skins — the byproducts of the apple juice and jam industries. Rather than letting this organic material go to waste, Uppeal transforms it into a durable, high-quality leather alternative.” 

We caught up with Ruthie by email. She had recently come back from Philadelphia where she was on a panel at FashCon Philly, an all-day fashion conference on April 11. Hers is a global brand, and she ships her high-end high heels all over the world. FashCon Philly described Ruthie as “a visionary creating a lifestyle of empowerment, innovation, and style.” 

It is fascinating to think apple waste leads to this. How did this idea come to be?  

“I’ve always included some 'vegan' options in my collections, but let’s be honest — they were basically pleather (plastic leather), which can actually be worse for the environment than real leather, just without the animal part. I’ve been on the lookout for a strong, sustainable bio-based leather alternative for a while, and when I was introduced — through some connections — to apple leather from Uppeal in Italy, I knew I had to make it happen.” 

Tell me about the process of making those shows and how they are selling. 

“I produce my shoes in Brazil, so I had to import the apple leather from Italy — adding to the cost. Not only is the material itself more expensive, but the shipping added another layer. Still, I made the decision to price these shoes the same as my traditional leather styles. In terms of production, everything else followed our usual process. I work with a trusted factory that already has strong sustainability practices in place. We launched just a few weeks ago, and while sales are happening, it’s not an overnight success. This will take time— both to educate our current customers and to connect with new ones who truly value sustainability.” 

Why is it important to you to use sustainable material? I see packaging is recyclable. Do you have other examples of sustainability in your business?  

“You can learn more about [sustainability efforts] on the 'Impact' page of my website. Our packaging is recyclable and currently made from 70 percent recycled materials  — and by June, that will increase to 100 percent. One of the key points I highlight in my business is the importance of supporting independent small brands. By nature, smaller businesses tend to have a lower environmental impact. We don’t overproduce or create waste — we work on a made-to-order, highly curated model. That’s something you simply won’t get from big box brands, which is why I always encourage eco-conscious consumers to support smaller, thoughtful brands and products.” 
 

Your website says that “every pair of Ruthie Davis shoes finds a home. Products are never destroyed.” Can you tell me a bit more about that? 

I design with timelessness in mind — so when you invest in a pair of Ruthie Davis heels, you can wear them for years. The aesthetic is sleek and minimal, built to last in both style and construction. We also sell through to the end and never destroy or discard inventory. Plus, thanks to the global brand recognition I’ve worked hard to build, my heels hold their value on the resale market — whether it’s The RealReal, eBay, or elsewhere. They are a premium product with lasting quality, so there’s never a reason to throw a pair away.” 
 
In 2020 you went to an e-commerce model. Brick and mortar stores are going by the wayside, but browsing a store was sort of a time-honored tradition. Is it sad to see that go, or do you have to flow with the times? 

“I never had my own brick-and-mortar stores, so when my brand was carried at places like Neiman Marcus and Bloomingdale’s, it was through the wholesale model. Now, with my direct-to-consumer site, ruthiedavis.com, I’m fully in the retail business — which gives me far more control and significantly reduces waste. Thanks to platforms like Shopify and today’s technology, I’ve been able to streamline everything. I’ve embraced the idea of being a 'small but mighty' micro brand. My margins are much stronger now than they were when I was in stores around the world — and ultimately, my business is far more profitable and sustainable this way.”