Demand Grows for Oliberté’s Socially Responsible Footwear

(OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, CANADA) – May 28, 2014 – Oliberté, maker of high-quality, casual rugged leather footwear and sustainably made bags

and wallets, is expanding operations and opening new retail doors to meet the growing demand for its leather bags and shoes, which are handcrafted in the world’s first Fair Trade Certified footwear factory.

Todd Cunningham joins Oliberté’s headquarters in Ontario, Canada, as the brand’s marketing manager, bringing with him over 10 years of design, marketing and digital media experience. Along with handling all aspects of marketing in North America, Cunningham is responsible for curating branded content that engages and educates consumers about the social impact of their purchasing decisions.

“Todd’s experience in visual storytelling and branding will help us tell the Oliberté story in an impactful way,” says Oliberté founder Tal Dehtiar. “It’s important that our customers know that every purchase of Oliberté shoes supports sustainable jobs Ethiopia. Our employees there are members of a growing middle class who are only able to contribute to their communities and support their families because they are paid a livable wage.”

In addition to being sold in nearly 100 brick-and-mortar retail stores across the U.S. and Canada, Oliberté recently added two new major online distributors to its list of online sellers: Zappos and Nordstrom, both of which are carrying many of the brand’s spring 2014 styles, including the Sogal slip-on for men and Blanca ballet flat for women.

To meet the growing consumer demand, Oliberté’s Ethiopian factory increased its workforce to support a 30-percent increase in production capacity. Plus, Dehtiar, a champion for workers’ right in developing nations, is presently scouting locations around Addis Ababa to construct two more footwear factories within the next two to four years.

ABOUT OLIBERTÉ

Oliberté footwear, founded by Canadian entrepreneur and leader in corporate social responsibility Tal Dehtiar, manufactures hand-crafted casual leather shoes in the world’s Fair Trade Certified™ footwear factory. Located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Oliberté’s factory employs more than 80 skilled craftsmen and women who use an average of 1000 stitches per shoe using high-quality African leather uppers and natural crepe rubber soles. Oliberté supports sustainable employment and workers’ rights in Sub-Saharan Africa and is a member of 1% For the Planet and is a certified B Corporation. Oliberté goods are sold throughout the world at specialty retailers at www.oliberte.com.