The name Cassius originates from the Latin word meaning “hollow.” It is also the name of Cassius Eco Fashion Owner Penelope Lagos’ late dog. Penelope’s mission for her business is to provide sustainable, eco-friendly, vegan, and cruelty free footwear. Based in Chatham, her business exclusively sells products via her online shop.
The motto for Cassius Eco Fashion is style meets sustainability. With this in mind, they make their products using cork, which is highly durable and harvested using ethical practices. This also allows their footwear to be lightweight, breathable, and waterproof. Penelope’s products also repurpose everyday materials to minimize waste.
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An Eco-friendly Mission
“I want to inspire conscious fashion using eco-friendly solutions,” Penelope says. “It was also vital to me that the shoes were made in a factory that evoked the highest standards and fair wages, which is why I chose a small factory in Portugal. I want to make an impact in the fashion industry; and have the community be a big part of this change by joining the revolution towards a greener future. By incorporating sustainable practices into our daily routines, we can help reduce our environmental footprint.”
In addition to supporting sustainable fashion practices, a portion of all Cassius Eco Fashion proceeds go to animal charities. “Giving back to animal nonprofits has been a lifelong mission of mine,” Penelope says. She also wants to team up with new organizations to help give animals a second chance.
Footwear from Cassius Eco Fashion
Currently, Penelope offers five different footwear options. In particular, she loves their signature “Calliope” sneaker. “The denim just goes with everything, and the Greek key detailing pays homage to my Greek heritage,” she says. But she also loves the “Athena” flip flop. “I think it’s an easy go-to style for everyone. The flip flop is casual yet chic and I have received great feedback on the comfort and wearability of it.”
But her favorite shoe is the “Bia” Camo Sandal. “The coolest part is the outsole, which is made from recycled coffee grounds!” she adds. Other options include the “Calypso” Cork Sneaker and “Bia” Cork Sandal. Penelope hopes to expand her brand by adding more styles and colors. In addition, she wants to offer more cork-based fashion products like handbags or jewelry, plus sustainable footwear for men.
About the Owner
Penelope Lagos has a BA in Communication/Journalism and Theatre Arts from Rutgers University. Her acting experience includes commercials, indie films, and theater productions. She has also modeled for many commercial/fashion brands, leading her to become a footwear fit model for 15 years. On top of that, she is also an author of three children’s books. “It was always a dream of mine to be able to create and fit my own brand,” she says.
Look for Cassius Eco Fashion online to learn more.
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All Photos: © Michael Livi (provided by Cassius Eco Fashion)