We believe footwear can be a force for good. Our mission is to help South African brands create shoes that honour people, place, and planet.
Every project starts with respect for local making traditions. We work alongside artisans in Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg to preserve techniques that have shaped South African footwear for generations.
Sustainability isn’t a label — it’s a process. From recycled ocean plastics to ethical supply chains, we help brands make material choices that reduce waste and support circular economies.
Our clients don’t just launch products — they build lasting brands. We provide the strategy, design, and market insight needed to compete in South Africa’s evolving retail landscape.
“Our goal is a footwear industry where every pair tells a story of local skill, responsible sourcing, and thoughtful design — from the factory floor to the customer’s doorstep.”
Key milestones that shaped NokiShoes
NokiShoes was established in Cape Town with a clear mission: bring sustainable footwear design to the South African market. Our first client was a small artisan collective seeking to formalise their brand. We helped them define their visual identity and source eco-friendly materials, setting the standard for our consultancy approach.
Recognising a gap in the local industry, we launched a dedicated sustainable fashion advisory service. This included life-cycle assessments, ethical sourcing audits, and circular design workshops. Within a year, we had advised five brands on reducing their environmental footprint, with one client achieving a 30% reduction in waste.
We led a full-scale brand development and retail strategy for a footwear label entering Johannesburg. The project involved consumer research, packaging design, and a pop-up launch campaign. The result was a 40% sell-through rate in the first quarter and features in two national lifestyle publications.
Our design consultancy produced a performance sneaker made from recycled ocean plastics for a Durban startup. Beyond the product, we developed a take-back programme for end-of-life recycling. The sneaker was tested by local athletes and received strong media coverage, reinforcing our expertise in circular economy solutions.
NokiShoes grew to a team of eight consultants, with expertise spanning design, sustainability, and brand strategy. We were invited to speak at the South African Fashion Week about ethical production. Our client portfolio now includes twelve brands across three provinces, with a combined retail footprint of over 50 points of sale.
From concept to market — key stages that shaped our consultancy.
Launched NokiShoes with a focus on sustainable materials. Partnered with a local Cape Town workshop to prototype recycled leather sneakers.
Developed a full brand identity and eco-friendly production line for a collective of local makers. Introduced take-back recycling program.
End-to-end market entry for a premium footwear brand. Handled logo, packaging, retail layout, and digital campaign that drove strong first-year sales.
Designed a performance sneaker using recycled ocean plastics. Completed structural testing and launched with a circular take-back model.