Toward a sustainable future
Toward a sustainable future
Toward a sustainable future
Acknowledgement of Country
Wittner acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work today. We pay respect to Elders both past and present and stand together with the First Nations leaders of today and tomorrow.
Our Commitment
For over 100 years, we at Wittner have been driven by refined quality and timeless design. We understand that the decisions we make today will have an impact on our world for generations to come, and so we remain committed to protecting our planet and our people.
From the suppliers we work with to the materials we use, we continue to turn our attention to sustainable and innovative practices all the way through the business, seeking to make responsible and considered choices every step of the way.
“It is such an exciting time within our industry with the sustainability space evolving so quickly - we each get to participate in brilliantly creative and innovative practices that are helping to provide real and practical solutions that will have an impact on the future of our world. We would love to invite you on our journey to create a better future for our planet and our people.”
— Catherine Williamson, CEO
Having focused on our supply chain, sourcing of materials and environmentally-friendly packaging in recent years, we now look to working consciously and collaboratively with our local communities.
Acknowledgement of Country
Wittner acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work today. We pay respect to Elders both past and present and stand together with the First Nations leaders of today and tomorrow.
Our Commitment
For over 100 years, we at Wittner have been driven by refined quality and timeless design. We understand that the decisions we make today will have an impact on our world for generations to come, and so we remain committed to protecting our planet and our people.
From the suppliers we work with to the materials we use, we continue to turn our attention to sustainable and innovative practices all the way through the business, seeking to make responsible and considered choices every step of the way.
“It is such an exciting time within our industry with the sustainability space evolving so quickly - we each get to participate in brilliantly creative and innovative practices that are helping to provide real and practical solutions that will have an impact on the future of our world. We would love to invite you on our journey to create a better future for our planet and our people.”
— Catherine Williamson, CEO
Having focused on our supply chain, sourcing of materials and environmentally-friendly packaging in recent years, we now look to working consciously and collaboratively with our local communities.
For Our Planet
For Our Planet
For Our Planet
Transparency
Transparency
Leather Working Group
Leather is at the core of our collections, and as such, a commitment to ethical and sustainable practices in this supply chain is paramount to us. A natural and durable material, leather is known to retain its quality for generations.
Wittner has been committed to working with premium suppliers that are certified by the Leather Working Group since 2019. LWG is a not-for-profit organisation that aims to improve the environmental impact of the leather industry by assessing and certifying environmental compliance. Since the beginning of our journey, our progress has resulted in a 90% LWG certified leather supply in 2023, up from 75%.
This includes the management of energy and water usage as well as ethical animal welfare practices. We source leather from many finished tanneries around the world including Europe, Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand and adhere to Australian custom regulations prohibiting the importation of exotic skins or threatened species.
Considered Design
Considered Design
Designed in Melbourne
Here at home in Melbourne for over 100 years, our in-house team of talented designers create collections defined by quality and simplicity, with a nod to trends but a focus on the perennial.
Led by our founder's ethos of premium craftsmanship and artisanal detail, our designers infuse modernity to classic silhouettes resulting in pieces of enduring appeal that can be reached for time and time again.
Changes to our industry over time means that we have to manufacture our collections overseas, but we have made a point to build long-standing relationships that ensure the highest quality results possible.
Made to Last
We have always believed in creating pieces that are designed with versatility in mind. Using premium materials and timeless designs, we have consciously reduced the size of our collections so that we can focus on creating beautiful, quality shoes that stand the test of time.
We encourage our customers to care for their Wittner items to prolong their life so that they can be passed down the generations and loved for years to come.
Pictured: High Winter campaign shoot
Circularity
Circularity
AirRobe
Circular fashion reduces the need for new resources by keeping product and materials in use via recycling and reusing. One initiative through which we are participating in the circular economy is our partnership with AirRobe.
AirRobe is an initiative that enables shoppers to add items to their digital wardrobe where they can choose to resell, rent or recycle items on their pre-loved designer marketplace. This innovation helps to reduce both industry and individual waste,
Eco-Friendly Packaging
We believe in minimal waste at every touchpoint of our brand. Our packaging suite was updated in 2020 so that all the materials used are completely recyclable or returnable to the earth. The signature Wittner box is designed to be reusable with a built-in handle so you can keep it in rotation.
Save Our Soles
Ensuring considered design from the beginning of our process, development samples that do not proceed to orders are used to create second life production. In partnership with Save Our Soles, our prototypes and development samples from our Melbourne design office are repurposed and made into yoga and playground mats.
Wittner joined this program in 2022 and has seen us repurpose over 1 tonne of samples from landfill.
For Our People
For Our People
For Our People
Supporting Community
Supporting Community
Thread Together
Thread Together is an initiative that saves excess stock from the fashion industry from landfill, by donating it to people in need. We first partnered with Thread Together during the 2021 floods that devastated the Eastern Coastline, where, together with Bec & Bridge, we provided footwear donations to help local students in Lismore complete their outfits for their end-of-year formal celebrations.
Our partnership has seen us donate over $50,000 RRP, and we are committed to ongoing donations and working on special projects with Thread Together well into the future.
Pictured: Thread Together donation program for flood-affected Lismore High School's end-of-year formal
Social Impact
Social Impact
Winyarr Collection
In January 2022, we partnered with Culture is Life to collaborate with a young First Nations artist, Alkina Edwards, to create the Winyarr collection. Alkina has proud matriarchal connections to Yorta Yorta, Wemba Wemba, Mutthi Mutthi and Wiradjuri tribes. Alkina draws on the history and experiences of her family, community, and Country to create artwork that represents female empowerment and strength.
Made up of five unique designs, the collection offered a way to celebrate Aboriginal culture as shareable and wearable works of art. With 10% of proceeds going directly to Culture is Life, it helped to support the Aboriginal-led not-for-profit organisation’s purpose of supporting young First Nations peoples to thrive.
The collection received a positive response from our customers, achieving a 95% sell-through rate within the first two months. This meant that the profits raised were sent directly to the Bowarring Mentoring Program, where mentors like Alkina can facilitate art sessions for local Aboriginal girls within the community.
"From start to finish, Winyarr meant so much to us. Collaborating with Culture is Life and Alkina Edwards was an amazing experience, and we are still humbled by the response that this collection received." — Catherine Williamson, Wittner CEO.
Pictured: Wittner x Culture is Life Winyarr Collection campaign shoot
Encoreship Program
Encoreship is a powerful initiative that provides employment opportunities for women who have been out of the workforce for an extended period and are ready to return. The program places them in the workspace, giving them the opportunity to rebuild confidence, upskill and gain practical experience.
Wittner is proud to have participated in the Encoreship program in 2022, and we look forward to an ongoing partnership with the program in 2023 and beyond.
Pictured: Encoreship networking lunch