In a beautiful building that Enric Sagnier i Villavecchia built in 1910 in Plaça de les Olles (Barcelona), the vegan footwear brand Duuo has just opened its first own store. The gothic-inspired trefoil windows of this modernist jewel frame a collection that was born to represent a cosmopolitan and diverse lifestyle, betting on design and comfort, but also vegan and eco-responsible.
“We have created a vegan brand, which also means committed to sustainable mobility, environmental protection and fair working conditions,” explains Xavier Berneda, co-owner and CEO of the firm and one of its promoters, along with his brother David.
The logo of the brand, a d that is also a b, explains the duality of the Bernedas at the head of Duuo. Both are the third generation of a family that has been in the shoe business for more than 75 years and is recognized worldwide by the Munich sports shoe firm. This brand, with its own store across the street, looks to its sister firm, now independent and with its own house. Duuo’s place is painted in a bright yellow color that conveys Mediterranean summer and good vibes as soon as you walk through the door.
There, Xavier Berneda receives Magazine Lifestyle and explains: “It’s okay to talk about operating accounts, but also about how we want to leave this planet. There has to be a balance between the benefits and looking for sustainable products, that are ecological, that chlorine is not present in their manufacture, that they can be recycled as much as possible, take into account the training of workers…”.
The firm manufactures most of its products in Igualada and Elche, although the very complex models with many parts come from Asia. They not only design and sell sports shoes for women, men and children, but also recycled and recyclable eva rubber sandals or fabric slippers without any sewing in their manufacture.
The raw material comes from suppliers that go hand in hand with the Catalan firm in terms of environmental, recycling and vegan values. And the fact that Duuo is almost next to its sister store in Munich allows them to save on logistics resources, such as taking advantage of product transport, thus reducing CO2 emissions.
“The new generations are very aware, the purchase decision is no longer given only because you like it, but also because of the values ??of the brand, although they must understand low price and sustainability is impossible,” explains Berneda, who is very clear that “This firm with values ??is the group’s growth stone for the next 20 or 30 years.”
