QURC
QURC is a vegan sneaker brand from Amsterdam, Netherlands, that makes unisex sneakers from cork. The shoes are produced in Portugal using cork bark from Portuguese trees.
| Based in | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
|---|---|
| Founders | Thomas Bruinsma, Farbod Sattarian |
| Material | Portuguese cork |
| Production | Portugal |
| Website | qurc-amsterdam.com |
What is QURC?
QURC is an Amsterdam footwear label that makes unisex sneakers from cork. It was set up by Thomas Bruinsma and Farbod Sattarian, who met through the Traineeship Ondernemen incubator, and it positions itself as a vegan sneaker brand.
History
The founders sold their first batch of 200 pairs in 2019. In 2021 the company was preparing a Kickstarter campaign to fund further pre orders and was in contact with an agency about selling in Scandinavia.
Products and positioning
The sneakers use cork bark harvested from trees in Portugal. The bark is boiled and pressed without chemicals, and the company describes the resulting material as waterproof and resistant to cracking. Production takes place in a Portuguese factory. The brand aims mainly at buyers aged 25 to 35, and its sneakers have retailed at around 149 euros.
Distribution
QURC sells through its own webshop and has been building a network of physical stockists. One early project saw the brand deliver 50 pairs to a Michelin starred restaurant, packed in wine crates.
Why it matters
QURC is one of a group of young European labels testing plant based alternatives to leather in everyday sneakers, with cork as its core material.
Frequently asked questions
What are QURC sneakers made of?
QURC sneakers are made from cork bark sourced from trees in Portugal.
Who founded QURC?
QURC was founded in Amsterdam by Thomas Bruinsma and Farbod Sattarian.