Mercer
Mercer is a Dutch sustainable sneaker brand founded in 2013 by Pim Dresen. It makes high-end vegan sneakers using alternative materials such as pineapple leather and wine leather.
| Founded | 2013 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Pim Dresen |
| Origin | Netherlands |
| Flagship | De Pijp, Amsterdam |
| Focus | Vegan sneakers |
| Website | mercer-amsterdam.com |
What is Mercer?
Mercer is a high-end sustainable sneaker brand from the Netherlands. It was founded in 2013 by Pim Dresen, who is also its head designer. The name refers to Mercer Street in New York, where Dresen bought his first pair of sneakers.
Products and positioning
The brand focuses on vegan sneakers made with alternative materials, including wine leather and pineapple leather. Mercer was the first brand to collaborate with Piñatex on a fully sustainable vegan sneaker made from pineapple leather. Dresen has said the company aims to source materials locally rather than internationally.
Distribution
Mercer sells online in the United Kingdom and Europe. In 2021 it opened its first flagship store at Ferdinand Bolstraat in the De Pijp district of Amsterdam, planned as a community space with coffee, drinks, a vintage section and a large Mercer collection.
The store also runs a recycling scheme: customers who return old sneakers receive an 8.7 percent discount on a new pair, a figure chosen to reflect the 87 million shoes the brand says are sent to landfill each year.
Why it matters
Mercer is an example of a design-led sneaker label that has built its identity around material innovation and circularity, combining plant-based materials with a take-back incentive in its own retail space.
Frequently asked questions
Who founded Mercer?
Mercer was founded in 2013 by Pim Dresen, who is also the brand's head designer.
What are Mercer sneakers made of?
Mercer makes vegan sneakers using materials such as pineapple leather and wine leather.