FASHTALKS WITH NAE

Tell us the story behind how your brand came to life. What inspired its creation?

NAE was born from both a personal need and an entrepreneurial instinct.

Almost 20 years ago, it was very difficult to find shoes that were stylish, well made, and aligned with vegan values. There was a clear gap in the market: people who cared about animals and sustainability also wanted design, quality, and choice.

That is where the idea for NAE came from. We wanted to prove that beautiful footwear did not need to come from animal exploitation. NAE stands for No Animal Exploitation, and from the beginning our mission has been to create shoes that respect animals, people, and the planet, without compromising on style.

Over time, that personal need became a brand with an international community.

How did you choose your brand name, and what does it represent?

NAE means No Animal Exploitation.

The name reflects our commitment to creating products without animal materials and building a more conscious approach to fashion. It is direct, honest, and still represents what we stand for today.

At the same time, we never wanted NAE to feel defined only by what it excludes. It is also about design, quality, craftsmanship, and creating products people genuinely want to wear.

"⁠The future feels exciting because innovation is accelerating. New materials, circularity initiatives, traceability, and better production systems are opening possibilities that did not exist when we started. I am excited to continue proving that ethical fashion can also be beautiful, desirable, and commercially viable."

What core values guide your brand, and how do they show up in your designs?

Our core values are respect, transparency, craftsmanship, and longevity.

We design with the idea that products should last and have purpose. We work with innovative materials, recycled components, cork, bio-based alternatives, and produce mainly in Portugal with long-term partners.

We are not interested in creating more for the sake of more. We prefer thoughtful collections and timeless styles that people keep for years.

What inspired you to become a designer, and how has that influence evolved?

I have always been interested in creativity, aesthetics, and entrepreneurship.

Today I do not see design only as creating beautiful products. I see it as problem solving. Design can influence materials, production methods, consumption habits, and even conversations around ethics in fashion.

My inspiration evolved from style alone to impact and purpose.

Walk us through your creative process from concept to finished piece.

Usually everything starts with inspiration: textures, architecture, colors, vintage references, nature, or even a feeling we want the collection to express.

Then comes the balance between aesthetics and reality. We explore materials, comfort, durability, production feasibility, and sustainability considerations.

We work closely with factories and prototypes until the product feels right.

What sets your brand apart in today’s fashion landscape?

I think our authenticity.

We have been working in vegan footwear long before it became a trend. We built NAE because we genuinely believed fashion could exist without animal materials.

Being independent also matters. Every decision is intentional.

What was your first experience in the fashion industry, and how did it shape you?

My first experience showed me how complex fashion really is.

People often only see the final product, but behind every shoe there are materials, factories, sampling, logistics, timing, costs, and many decisions.

It taught me resilience.

What has been your biggest challenge so far, and what did it teach you?

One of the biggest challenges has been growing an ethical brand while staying financially sustainable.

Doing things differently often costs more, moves slower, and requires difficult choices.

It taught me that values and business cannot live separately.

What accomplishment are you most proud of to date?

Honestly, longevity.

The fact that NAE is still here after almost twenty years means a lot to me.

We have gone through market changes, material evolution, economic uncertainty, and industry shifts, and we continue moving forward.

"NAE means No Animal Exploitation. The name reflects our commitment to creating products without animal materials and building a more conscious approach to fashion. It is direct, honest, and still represents what we stand for today."

How do you connect with your customers and use their feedback?

We listen a lot. Customer feedback influences comfort improvements, fits, materials, color choices, and future designs.

Being a direct-to-consumer brand gives us the opportunity to stay close to the people wearing our products.

Outside of your brand, what are you most passionate about?

I am passionate about movement, wellness, entrepreneurship, sustainability, and understanding how small choices can create bigger impact. I also enjoy learning.

What excites you most about the future of your brand?

The future feels exciting because innovation is accelerating.

New materials, circularity initiatives, traceability, and better production systems are opening possibilities that did not exist when we started.

I am excited to continue proving that ethical fashion can also be beautiful, desirable, and commercially viable.