Crafted in Italy, The Ohio integrates recycled, renewable, and traceable materials across every component of its design. Notably, 100% of the leather is sourced from Leather Working Group (LWG)-certified tanneries, ensuring compliance with best practices in energy use, waste management, and water treatment. The sneaker’s stitching incorporates 30% recycled polyester, verified by the Global Recycled Standard (GRS)—an assurance of both origin and processing integrity.
This level of sourcing transparency aligns with a growing trend among luxury brands to respond to investor scrutiny and forthcoming regulatory frameworks such as the EU's Eco-Design for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which targets material durability and recyclability.
The Ohio’s construction also reflects attention to lifecycle emissions at the adhesive and finish levels. Rather than relying on traditional solvent-based adhesives, which are known for volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions, Hearst opted for water-based glue—a lower-impact alternative that reduces chemical exposure and supports healthier indoor air quality during manufacturing.
The sole comprises 30% recycled materials, and the interior elastic band contains 74% recycled polyester blended with 24% natural rubber—an approach that illustrates a multi-tiered reduction in virgin resource dependency.
While the final product is positioned within the luxury segment, The Ohio underscores how design teams are increasingly integrating sustainability as a core design constraint rather than an afterthought. From material origin to end-of-life considerations, the sneaker embodies the emerging blueprint for responsible product development that balances aesthetics, performance, and environmental impact.
Gabriela Hearst’s entry into sustainable footwear marks a critical signal to the broader fashion industry. As lifecycle assessments, science-based targets, and Scope 3 emissions accounting become essential to corporate sustainability strategies, fashion houses will face increasing demand for product-level transparency.
By embedding circularity principles into a traditionally static product category, Hearst joins a growing cadre of luxury brands—alongside Stella McCartney, Chloé, and LVMH—advancing beyond marketing language to measurable environmental action.
