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Veldskoen Shoes is a South African shoe brand and company headquartered in Cape Town.

History

Veldskoen Shoes was founded in 2016 by friends Nick Dreyer and Ross Zondagh. After watching the opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, it is believed that the pair held the viewpoint that the South African athletes had an opportunity to express their national heritage more profoundly through their attire at the opening ceremony. The two started envisioning the kind of outfits that could have more aptly embodied the essence of South Africa. While discussing options, Ross Zondagh proposed the idea of incorporating a pair of leather Veldskoen, citing their iconic status as South African shoes. However, Dreyer expressed scepticism, noting that Veldskoen was no longer considered fashionable. Their conversation delved into strategies for enhancing the shoe's appeal, infusing it with a sense of fashion-forwardness, and fostering a sense of unity among South Africans. The end product was in the form of brightly coloured soles and laces representing South Africa's flag and rainbow nation; which is Veldskoen Shoes trademark look.

The company chose the name 'Veldskoen' to honor a distinct style of shoe deeply rooted in South African tradition. In English, the name translates to 'field shoe,' reflecting its practical design and outdoor heritage. Their design is based on the traditional Khoisan footwear.

Overseas markets

Veldskoen Shoes exports products to 32 countries. This includes the US, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, China, the Nordic countries, Canada, the entire Europe, and parts of Africa.

All Veldskoen Shoes raw materials are sourced locally, from South African businesses. From the leather to the thread and the thermoplastic rubber (TPR) components. Indirectly Veldskoen Shoes supports close to 100 people across the different factories and tanneries in South Africa. In 2019 businessman Mark Cuban and celebrity Ashton Kutcher acquired a 50% ownership stake in Veldskoen Shoes US business. In 2019 Veldskoen Shoes made waves in British media after Prince Harry, who was touring South Africa with his wife, Meghan Markle, wore the brand.

In 2021 Veldskoen was named the official off-field shoe of South African athletes at the Olympic Games in Tokyo by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). In 2020 Veldskoen Shoes collaborated with DHL to launch a limited edition sneaker in London called "Dear Everyone". Minnie Dlamini wore the sneaker at the Paris Fashion Week.

In June 2023 Valor Hospitality Partners and Veldskoen Shoes launched a strategic initiative to provide vellies to their Hotel Staff across the United States. In 2023 Veldskoen Shoes collaborated with Briana Evigan, American actress and dancer best known for her appearance in the Step Up (franchise), to create a Ranger "MoveMe" boot.

Awards

2021 Veldskoen Shoes (Pty) Ltd was the winner in the small enterprises category at the South African AGOA Exporter of the Year Awards.

References

1. Rangongo, Timothy. "Making an iconic South African shoe globally recognisable". News24.
2. Hogg, Alec (July 16, 2019). "Nick Dreyer: Making SA's iconic Veldskoen into a global champion".
3. "Veldskoene are hitting the US as SA brands go global". TimesLIVE.
4. ^ "Ashton Kutcher and Mark Cuban take veldskoen to US". BusinessLIVE.
5. "Shark Tank's Mark Cuban invests in South African shoe brand". Bizcommunity. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
6. Brown, Adrian (April 5, 2019). "Veldskoen goes international". Getaway Magazine.
7. https://www.businesslive.co.za/bt/business-and-economy/2019-09-29-harry-takes--giant-step-in-local--vellies/
8. "Veldskoen Shoes Makes the Olympic Team in Amazing Full-Circle Story". April 16, 2021.
9. "Veldskoen come on board as Team SA sponsors for Tokyo". TeamSA. 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
10. "DHL Express X Veldskoen Is The Fashion Collaboration You Didn't Know You Needed". ELLE. 2022-03-21. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
11. Editor, Guest (2022-03-09). "DHL's Next Collab Spotted At Paris Fashion Week". PAUSE Online | Men's Fashion, Street Style, Fashion News & Streetwear. Retrieved 2024-01-28. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
12. "Vellie revolution: Local manufacturer strikes it big with US partner deal". 702. Retrieved 2023-08-21.
13. Lifestyle, Aspire (2023-02-09). "Hollywood's Briana Evigan, and local shoe company, Veldskoen join forces to create a social impact shoe". Aspire Lifestyle Magazine. Retrieved 2024-05-10.
14. "South African AGOA Exporter of the Year Award winners announced [incl. Video] – Agoa.info – African Growth and Opportunity Act". agoa.info. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
15. "U.S. Government partners with ITRISA to recognize outstanding exporters to the United States under AGOA". Global Africa Network. 2021-11-24. Retrieved 2023-08-22.

External links

• Veldskoen Shoes
• Vellie revolution: Local manufacturer strikes it big with US partner deal
• Vellie revolution: Local manufacturer strikes it big with US partner deal

v t e Footwear
Abandoned footwear Shoe Shoemaking Shoe size
Dress shoes	Blucher Brogues Brothel creepers Derby Monks Oxfords Spectator shoes (Co-respondent shoes) Winklepickers Wholecuts Slip-on shoes Court shoes Prince Albert slippers Loafers Venetian-style shoes Women's Ballet flats High-heeled footwear Mary Janes Mojari Mules Peep-toe shoes Saddle shoes Slingbacks
Other shoes	Driving moccasins Flip-flops Galoshes Platform shoes Sandals Self-tying shoes Slides Slippers (Uwabaki) Tiger-head shoes Veldskoens Zōri
Wooden footwear	Bakya British clogs Cantabrian albarcas Clogs Geta Klompen Namaksin Okobo Padukas Pattens Sabot Träskor
Boots	Military Ammunition boots Bunny boots Combat boots Jackboots Jump boots Jungle boots Tanker boots Trench boots Munson Last Work Australian work boots Cowboy boots Engineer boots Hip boots Jika-tabi Rigger boots Steel-toe boots Waders Fashion boots Chelsea boots (Beatle boots) Chukka boots Go-go boots Knee-high boots Over-the-knee boots Platform boots Thigh-high boots Ugg boots Other Jodhpur boots Wellington boots Ballet boots
Sport-related footwear	Athletic shoes Ballet shoes Boat shoes Climbing shoes Cross country running shoes Cycling shoes Football boots Ghillies Hiking boots Ice skates Inline skates Kung fu shoes Minimalist shoes Motorcycle boots Mountaineering boots Plimsolls Racing flats Racing shoes Riding boots Roller shoes Roller skates Sabatons Safari boots Skate shoes Ski boots Sneakers Swimfins Water shoes Wrestling shoes
Folk footwear	Abacas Abarkas Alpargatas Avarcas Balghas Bast shoes Ciocie Clogs Espadrilles Furlane Galesh Geta Giveh Haferlschuh Hnyat-phanats Huarache Hwa Jipsin Jorabs Kamiks Kolhapuri chappals Moccasins Mojaris Mukluks Nalins Okobo Opanci Peshawari chappals Snowshoes Tsarouchi Takunya Upanah Valenkis Waraji Zōri
Historical footwear	Areni-1 shoes Buskins Calcei Caligae Carbatina Cavalier boots Chinese styles Chopines Duckbill shoes Flowerpot shoes Hessians Lotus shoes Pampooties Pigaches Poulaines Socci Turnshoes
Shoe construction	Bespoke shoes Blake construction Goodyear welt Shoe buckle Shoelaces Toe box High heels Clear heels Kitten heels Spool heels Stiletto heels Wedges
Hosiery	Anklets Bobby socks Dress socks Footwraps Knee highs Pantyhose Sock Stocking Tights Toe socks Tabi
List of shoe styles

• South African fashion
• African clothing
• Afrikaans words and phrases
• Manufacturing companies based in Cape Town
• Clothing companies established in 2016
• Shoe brands
• South African brands