WHAT IS THE ORIGIN OF XANTHE ANNA WHAT REVEALS YOUR BRAND CONCEPT?
I make beautiful sheepskin boots and slippers using ecological and reprocessed materials for people who love both comfort and style. I launched Xanthe Anna in 2021; Xanthe is my first name, and Anna my middle name. It felt honest to use my own name for the business, as what I do is so personal. I make all the sheepskin boots and slippers myself in my small workshop in Wales, UK. Each pair has my undivided attention from start to finish.
WHAT DOES THE WORD “SUSTAINABILITY” MEAN TO YOU, AND HOW DO SUSTAINABILITY ISSUES IMPACT YOU AS A BRAND?
True sustainability means producing or consuming without any environmental harm. It’s very difficult to achieve. I’m concerned that the word is often misused to sell products and cannot be trusted. I use the word sustainable sparingly, which is a challenge to the brand. Without it, communicating succinctly what I offer can be hard.
WHAT IS YOUR STRONGEST COMMITMENT IN TERMS OF SUSTAINABILITY IN YOUR BUSINESS? WHAT COULD YOU DO BETTER?
Considering the environmental impact of my boots and slippers, I’ve chosen materials with care using only ethically sourced sheepskin, veg-tanned leather, 100% recycled thread, organic hemp binding, and 60% recycled soles.
Paying attention to the quality of design and construction, all our boots come with removable and replaceable insoles. It is the first part to wear out, and I want to help my customers extend the life of their boots. New inner soles give you the super cozy new boots feeling again.
I’m really proud to offer a repair service on all my products. As a fan of slow-fashion I believe in making shoes that are loved and mended over and again.
I do have perfectionist tendencies, and there’s always something I could do better. I will continue to improve the materials I use with ultimate aim of designing closed-loop products.
WHAT ARE YOUR MAIN OBJECTIVES FOR THE NEXT 5 YEARS?
I’ve created a great range of beautiful products that I’m really proud of. My main goal is to steadily grow the business and meet new customers. I’m looking forward to building brand awareness, promoting Xanthe Anna, and creating a pop-up shop. I love connecting with people and talking about what they like, what they want, and making something they really love.
WHAT IS THE PRODUCT THAT BEST REPRESENTS AND DEFINES XANTHE ANNA? AND WHY?
I offer a unique custom-made service. It’s a personal process and it feels special when the boots are made just for you. When you order custom-made sheepskins boots you choose the colours, the height of the boots, and the type of sole. I aim to make boots that will be loved and worn for many years. When people have an emotional connection with their clothes, when they love their clothes, there is no place for the disposable fashion industry.