Cruelty-free footwear crafted in Porto’s family workshops, using grape marc, recycled plastic bottles, and European materials

A chic shoe is, above all, an eco-responsible shoe made ethically.

Produced in Portugal • Family workshops south of Porto • Materials sourced in Europe • Visit COG →

(€ = budget | €€ = mid | €€€ = premium | €€€€ = luxe) (★★★★★ = heirloom + zero-waste preorder |

Most vegan shoes are made in Asia from dubious synthetics. COG decided to do it differently — manufacturing in Portuguese family workshops that have passed their craft down through three generations. The result is a shoe that is cruelty-free, PETA-certified, and genuinely made in Europe, without sacrificing style or comfort.

Brand Intro

COG was founded by Camara Omar Gwenhaël — the brand name is his own initials — a detail that tells you this is a deeply personal project, not a corporate exercise. Based in Lyon, France, COG designs vegan footwear with one fixed rule: no animal products, no distant factories. Every pair is produced in a small family atelier south of Porto, Portugal, where multi-generational shoemaking expertise ensures exceptional craftsmanship. Materials are sourced exclusively from European suppliers in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, and the entire collection carries the PETA Approved Vegan label.

Inspiring Story

When Camara Omar Gwenhaël named his brand after his own initials, he made it clear: COG is a statement of identity, not just a product. The materials tell that story just as well as the name does. Depending on the model, uppers are crafted from grape marc, upcycled corn, or bamboo — all sourced within Europe, all chosen as deliberate alternatives to animal leather and anonymous synthetics. The lining is woven from plastic bottles recovered from the Mediterranean Sea. COG’s newest model, the Able, brings these innovations together in a single shoe — and is the clearest expression yet of what the brand has been building towards from the start. Every element sourced within Europe, every stitch placed in a family workshop near Porto. A shoe that carries its maker’s values — and his name.

Who is this for?

You care about what your shoes are made of — and where. You’ve walked away from leather not just for ethical reasons, but because you want your choices to add up to something. You want a sneaker or ankle boot that looks clean and understated, holds up over time, and doesn’t cost the earth — literally. You’re not interested in compromise between style and conscience.

DISCLAIMER Sustainability score is subjective. InEurope.eu finds this crucial, but conducts no audits. Assessment based on publicly available information and brand feedback

This blog has been verified by the brand on the date it has been published.