FASHTALKS WITH 8000 KICKS

When did you know you wanted to become a designer?

We don’t come from a designer background, but we like to believe we have good taste. We first came up with the idea in 2018 when we learned about hemp. This was a major breakthrough for us; since then, our design has been around that fabric.

What is your earliest design memory for your brand?

The earliest design was in 2018 when we started making the first sketches for the first prototype.

What did the beginnings of 8000 KICKS look like?

In the early days, it was me and my grandmother testing things in her sewing machines trying to work with the factory. Then we moved to a factory and we started with the first prototypes.

“We believe that if we can create sustainable products that are better than high-end designers, more durable, more functional, and at a similar price, then there’s no reason for customers not to opt in for our products.” 

What made you want to design products such as shoes out of waterproof hemp?

To be honest, when we started this project, we didn’t really know the properties of hemp. We knew it was cool, but we didn’t know about how sustainable and durable it was. When we came up with the idea, it was more of a one-off funny business idea. But a few weeks into our research, and when we actually ordered hemp, we realized that the fabric was way better than most stuff out there. Immediately, we realized that this fiber was a game changer, and that’s when it all started to be more serious.

Where do you find inspiration?

A lot of inspiration comes from my grandmother’s experience. Other comes from my personal taste and current trends. So it is a mix of both.

How did your first industry experience impact you?

It was definitely harder than expected. Not only the shoemaking but also the whole hemp processing and the logistics.

What brand values are most important for 8000 KICKS?

The most important thing for us is to create sustainably with as many natural materials as possible. We want to have functional comfortable products that are as good as non-sustainable products. We believe that if we can create sustainable products that are better than high-end designers, more durable, more functional, and at a similar price, then there’s no reason for customers not to opt in for our products. 

How does sustainability play a role in your brand? What sustainable measures has 8000 KICKS taken to better the environment?

We are millennials and we care about the environment. For us, starting a business has to be sustainable by default. It’s an attitude, not a choice. For that reason, all our materials are selected carefully with that in mind. Hemp is our number one material, but we also use recycled cardboard boxes, biodegradable cornstarch mailer bags, recycled polyester, recycled soles, etc.
We are not perfect, but we work hard in that direction. There’s always more stuff we can do, and it is a never-ending process. We are already working on testing new hemp formats for our soles, the box, etc. The more we can “hempify” our product, the lower impact it will have on the environment. So our philosophy is to use the fiber as much as possible. To offset carbon emissions, we also plant trees for every order we ship.

What was the toughest circumstance you overcame when just starting your business?

It was definitely COVID. It was a really bad time for us. We had no product, no production, and no sales. We almost went bankrupt. 

Do you find it difficult to have a brand based in Lisbon, Portugal? What are the perks versus the challenges?

Actually, not at all. We have amazing talent, amazing designers, amazing factories, and great suppliers as well. It’s a great innovation hub for footwear.

What is one piece of advice you would give to a new designer?

To never quit. It sounds like a cliché, but it is true because trying different things is what will bring you in the right direction.

“For us, the most important recognition is quality and innovation in hemp. That is exactly the reason why we work hard every day! To make hemp as great as it once was.”

What sets your brand apart from the rest?

We can’t talk about 8000 KICKS without talking about hemp because it has a bunch of unique characteristics that make it ideal for shoes and apparel.
It’s durable. Unlike cotton which has really short fibers, hemp can grow up to four meters tall, so the fibers grow a lot taller and it doesn’t break as easily.
It’s anti-bacterial and breathable, which makes it a great material for shoes, and they won’t smell as bad.
Unlike other fiber, it absorbs the carbon emissions from the atmosphere capturing it in the soil. Unlike other crops, it replenishes the nutrients in the soil as it is a weed.

What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?

We are super proud of the R&D that we have invested in making hemp a great fabric and bringing it to the same level as other fibers. For that reason, our products have great quality and an amazing TrustPilot rate of 4.7/5, the highest-rated shoe brand.

What do you envision for the future of your brand?

The future of 8000 KICKS is to continue launching new shoe models and new backpacks as well as bring hemp innovation. We are proud of our achievements and we want to continue pushing amazing different products.

What is the most important thing you would like your brand to be recognized for?

For us, the most important recognition is quality and innovation in hemp. That is exactly the reason why we work hard every day! To make hemp as great as it once was.

What should customers expect to see next from 8000 KICKS?

As of now, our goal is to continue to push hemp innovation, so our customers can expect exactly that. Great quality, great innovation, new designs, and cool-looking products. Exciting things coming soon.