Brother Vellies

Overview

Brother Vellies is a footwear and accessories brand specializing in handmade artisanal shoes and handbags that incorporate traditional African design techniques. It positions itself in the luxury market with an emphasis on global artisan production and some sustainable materials like vegetable-tanned leathers and upcycled soling. The brand is noted for its transparency in supply chain practices across multiple countries.³⁴

History

Brother Vellies was founded in 2013 by Aurora James. The brand has developed collections produced in workshops across countries including South Africa, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Italy, Haiti, and New York City. It has maintained operations focused on artisanal handmade products while facing challenges related to supply chain transparency.³⁴

Product Lines

Manufacturing

Products are handmade by artisans in workshops across South Africa, Kenya, Mexico, Morocco, Ethiopia, Burkina Faso, Italy, Haiti, and New York City. Production is outsourced to these global locations rather than in-house. Materials include vegetable-tanned leathers, recycled tire soling, hand-carved wood, and feathers sourced from farmers.³

Notable Products

• Athena Boot - Handmade leather boot using vegetable-tanned materials and traditional techniques.
• Mohawk Mule - Artisanal mule with global-sourced feathers and upcycled soling.
• Lover Wedge - Wedge shoe featuring hand-carved wood and African design elements.
• Signature Handbag - Leather handbag produced artisanally in multiple international workshops.

Reputation

Brother Vellies receives mixed customer feedback, with 75% of Thingtesting reviewers recommending it based on limited reviews, but it holds an F rating on BBB due to 17 complaints in the last 3 years related to service issues. Sustainability assessments rate it 'not good enough' overall, citing 'very poor' labor practices despite some use of eco-friendly materials. Professionals note challenges in its transparent global supply chain.¹²⁵