Everything hot (and chill) with Freedom Moses, the two-band silhouette slide currently trending
In the bible, Exodus 3 records Moses finding and conversing with a bush engulfed in flames but unconsumed at Mt. Sinai. In that encounter, the Hebrew took off his colorful slides as a sign of reverence and respect for God and the holy ground.
So the last part is not exactly accurate as the original text. The scenario is a fantasy Sarah Gurt, owner of slides brand Freedom Moses, conjured up in her head. This was the very image that inspired the Paris-born designer to open her own footwear company named after the Jewish prophet. The goal is to create slides that are liberating to the sole (pun intended).
Sarah worked with various high-end companies in the US and Europe, including Thierry Mugler, Calvin Klein, and Oscar de la Renta. When she moved to her adopted home, Tel Aviv, in 2014, the French shoe designer founded her own lifestyle brand that she describes as a “translation of her newfound life.”
“I’m inspired by ’60s nostalgia and laidback vibes, always, which is very Tel Aviv,” says Sarah. “I feel like there was a need to create a unique and colorful collection of slides at an accessible price that will also be made responsibly.”
The beauty of slides is that it has more oomph than the traditional flip-flops and sandals, able to satisfy the casual wearer and fashionista alike.
On top of being comfortable, versatile, and voguish, Freedom Moses is gender-neutral, personal, and environmentally conscious—100 percent vegan and cruelty-free.
Eco-efficient and sturdy, the two-band silhouette slide is made from PCU, an environmentally-responsible plastic material. The footbed is comfy with a cross-hatched insole that keeps the feet from sliding when wet. The sole is non-slip and grips nicely on most surfaces.
The slides are also handwashable, waterproof, and aromatic as they are lightly scented with milk and honey.
The walking experience is relaxing as the footwear is injected with air to make it feather-light. Its weight makes it easy to carry around everywhere.
The quality, design, and functionality are at par with its main competitor, also specializing in two band silhouettes, Birkenstock shoes, but at a fraction of the price.
The French shoe designer Sarah Gurt worked with various high-end companies in the US and Europe, including Thierry Mugler, Calvin Klein, and Oscar de la Renta.
From no-nonsense neutral options like Sand, Virgin, and Khaki, to the shiny and eye-catching Twilight, Venus, and White Terrazo Smoke, to intricate prints in Eden Sage, Dots on Navy, and Monstera Stone, to name a few, Freedom Moses’ strength lies in its variations and colors.
“With our almost endless range of colors, prints, shimmers… Anyone can find what tickles their fancy!” says Sarah, describing the designs of the slides.
Beyond a brand, Freedom Moses is a chill movement. Its founder is a nonchalant person herself, whose main definition of relaxation is being disconnected from the world. “I like to chill with my dog mini Max on the couch and listen to some hang drum and chimes music, phoneless. Or be with my friends just hanging out anywhere. Again, phoneless!” intimates Sarah in an interview with UK-based clothing line Hush.
Right now, the open-toe shoe trend kicked into high fashion overdrive with personal style bloggers and celebrities seen showing off designer shower shoes.
Freedom Moses has caught the attention of several sports, entertainment, and lifestyle personalities namely Olympian and bestselling author Shawn Johnson East, avid tennis player and influencer Neka Prila, soccer player turned pop-star Joaquin Fabrega, triathlete and beauty queen Carolina Dementiev, model Patty Castillo, and TV host Estefi Varela.
The brand has built a good reputation in 27 countries across the globe, particularly in the US, the UK, France, Germany, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and South Korea, among others. This month it officially launched its first retail stores in the Philippines.
At the launch, brand assistant Carmela Vizcocho explains that the slides are “about happy, chill, and fun vibes,” which suit and represent the Filipinos. “Just Chill,” the mantra of the brand resonates well with Filipinos, known as among of the most relaxed in the world.
Stores abroad are known for accepting used pairs of slides for recycling, shares assistant brand manager Luigi Wilwayco. “Here in the Philippines, the packaging is sustainable, biodegradable, and has a minimalist design,” he says.
Sarah values sustainability extremely. “That’s why we constantly try to find new ways of applying sustainability to our brand. Every detail counts in becoming more sustainable,” she ends.