We knew who Maria Stilov was, but it wasn't until we met at the beautiful Hotel Rye115 for a photoshoot that we really got to know each other. We can recognize many of Maria's considerations and choices with her brand; Shangies by Stilov. We like that she is uncompromising and that she is constantly working to make her business more sustainable.

Maria lives with her boyfriend Niels and their two children in Østerbro, where Shangies also has an office and showroom. She holds a Master of Business Administration in Intercultural Market Studies from the Copenhagen Business School. In 2008, Maria was seconded to Shanghai for the furniture company Paustian and was head of their activities in Asia for 3 years. In 2012, Maria established her own furniture company – and in 2016, Shangies by Stilov was born. Read more about Shangies by Stilov here

We asked Maria to tell us how she came across Shangies and why, like us, she has opted out of using outer packaging.

Shangies; a timeless classic

When I lived in Asia for a number of years, I discovered how brilliant jute is. The natural jute fibers are light, durable and the material is comfortable to wear. Why not make something out of it? I thought my wardrobe was missing light and comfortable sandals that could be used both indoors and outdoors. That was the start of Shangies and a dream of creating a personal brand with timeless products - in good quality.

Shangies by Stilov started as a hobby project, but is now a growing company with more than 350 retailers spread across 25 countries. I really like the personal touch in Shangies and am delighted that customers want to follow the Shangies journey, including via social media. Every day there are customers who tag us – and write us messages when they have spotted Shangies on the street abroad – or seen the sandals in a magazine. I think that is so nice!

It's about relationships

I first established my own furniture company in 2012 – and in 2016 Shangies by Stilov was born. My experience in the furniture world has given me in-depth insight into both production and collaboration with retailers. That knowledge has largely formed the basis for the business that Shangies by Stilov is today.

It is a conscious choice that Shangies is not available in shoe stores. For me, the Shangies business is more about places, relationships and chemistry between people than it is about getting the highest possible turnover. So when customers find the sandals in everything from a cozy ice cream shop on Bornholm, a garden center in Frederikssund to a shop with Danish specialties in Vejle, it is exactly what I want. The more 'skew' a retailer is in relation to selling sandals, the better it fits my brand.

No sustainability without durability

For me, sustainability is inextricably linked to durability. It is important to me that we use good quality materials so that our products last a long time. For many years, I have been against fast fashion and changing collections, where every year there is a new 'must-have' color that customers have to buy. That is why Shangies by Stilov are timeless sandals that can be used year after year. We have a fixed range of sandals in classic colors that fit every wardrobe.

No outer packaging and parcels

To reduce waste, we have actively opted out of unnecessary outer packaging. Instead, our sandals are tied together with jute string and placed directly in a box, completely eliminating the use of shoe boxes or bags.

We thereby reduce the amount of waste both at our own premises and at our retailers. We have also opted out of working with packages and fixed assortments with x-numbers of each size. Our retailers are free to choose between colors and sizes when they place orders with us. They are free to buy the products they need and which they can sell in their store.

Sustainability affects private choices

The sustainable choices in the store have also affected my private lifestyle. I have become more aware of my consumption and strive to buy quality rather than trendy products. There is also something that my children can feel. Quality clothes last for years, and when my “big” boy, Herman, 6 years old, grows out of his clothes, it is of course passed on to his little brother Carl, who is almost 3 years old.

Who knows, maybe Shangie's by Stilov will also become something that is passed down – and which will become a permanent part of a more conscious wardrobe around the world?

Yrolí without outer packaging

At Yrolí, we have also made the controversial choice to eliminate outer packaging for our products as part of our efforts to reduce our impact on the environment. By removing unnecessary packaging, we reduce both the resource consumption in the production of the packaging, the transport load and, not least, the amount of waste that is generated. See more here