After a passionate career working as a photo editor for the National Geographic Society and as a fashion editor in New York City, Hillary Leo had the idea to create a shoe line that isn't going to sit in a landfill after its wear-life has ended. Inspired by her toddler daughter and realizing how quickly her little feet were growing, how often Hillary was purchasing new children's shoes, she adjusted the design idea to use a fabric that had some give and stretch to add a little more time between shoe purchases since little growing feet could still be comfortable if the fabric could stretch. Sand and Sun Shoes are good for the sole and soul. They are footwear without a negative environmental footprint.The original design plan was to use neoprene. After seeing her husband's wetsuit hanging in the closet on the same day as purchasing new shoes for her daughter, Hillary had the idea for Sand and Sun Shoes. As she started researching shoe manufacturing and looking into fabrics and materials, she learned that the production of neoprene is actually terrible for the environment. "How crazy is it that people who usually wear neoprene wetsuits are using them to enjoy time in nature yet the creation of those suits damages the nature that they love?". That question led to Hillary starting on a journey of finding materials and fabrics that don't harm the environment and even developing a children's shoe that will be biodegradable, a first of its kind in the children's shoe industry.The shoes are now finally entering the manufacturing stage after perfecting the design and being sure that the shoes are being made with the most sustainable and biodegradable components possible. The plan is for the shoes to be available for purchase on the brand website, sandandsunshoes.com in early spring 2025. A boat shoe style design inspired by her family's love of the ocean and beach is the initial design in a range of colors. The shoes also will have the ability to be worn in water with an organic treatment that actually makes the shoes dry more quickly than a standard water shoe. The versatility of the design for being worn as a dress shoe, casual play shoe or water shoe is one of the best aspects of Sand and Sun Shoes. We look forward to sharing more as the brand grows and adding more designs in the coming seasons.