British luxury footwear brand Sophia Webster has released two new designs to help raise awareness and funds for threatened butterfly species.
The designer, famed for her butterfly appliqué shoes, approached wildlife charity Butterfly Conservation about a collaboration after becoming aware of the decline of British butterflies.
Wanting to give something back to the species whose wings have been a constant source of inspiration, Sophia decided to create two news designs of her iconic Chiara sandals, based on real-life species.
She said:
“When it came to my attention that an alarming number of species were in decline, I realised that I could take positive action to avert this crisis whilst showing my gratitude to this fragile yet inspiring creature.”
The result is two limited-edition designs, one based on the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary and the other on the Adonis Blue.
Proceeds generated by the sale of these Chiaras will go towards Butterfly Conservation’s Limestone Lepidoptera project, which is helping protect eight endangered species across the Yorkshire Dales national park.
This includes the Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, a highly threatened species that is endangered nationally and has suffered a severe decline of -76% since the 1970s in the UK.
Kay Andrew, Butterfly Conservation’s Limestone Lepidoptera Project Officer, said:
“Butterfly Conservation is delighted to be working with Sophia Webster to raise awareness of real butterfly species and the struggles they’re facing. Sadly, two-thirds of the Britain’s butterflies are in decline. This includes both the Small Pearl Bordered Fritillary and the Adonis Blue which Sophia has immortalised in her latest designs. The proceeds from the sale of these Sophia Webster sandals will help to save species from extinction.”
The shoes are available at SophiaWebster.com. For more information about Butterfly Conservation’s work or to donate go to Butterfly-conservation.org. To find out more about the Limestone Lepidoptera project, click here.