Founded by Thomas Bruinsma and Farbod Sattarian, Qurc is redefining what sustainable fashion looks and feels like. With materials once destined from wine bottles and grown at vineyards, there are crafting shoes that aren't just kind to the planet, but also have a story behind them.

"We're a shoe brand where we replace leather with cork, and nowadays, also with grape waste," says Thomas, Co-founder of Qurc. "Some shoes are entirely made from cork. You can even see the freckles and scars in it".

A Toast to Innovation

It all started in Portugal, among souvenir shops filled with cork wallets and belts. The idea sparked: if you can make a wallet from cork, why not a sneakers?

From there, the pair developed their first design, found a factory and launched with a modest run of 120 pairs. Most sold out before production even began. Then came the pandemic, and with it a crash course in resilience.

"We had to delay crowdfunding because of COVID. So we started small, within our own network. it was risky, but it worked."

The choice to use cork came from a genuine desire to create alternatives to animal leather. But when customers asked for white sneakers, a challenge, since cork can't be dyed fully white, Qurc found a new muse: grape leather.

"We found this Italian guy who made leather alternative from grapes". Thomas said. "And we thought, one plus one equals there."

The Name Behind the Brand

Their name, Qurc, is more than just a clever twist on the Dutch word for Cork ("kurk"). "We've thought it was fun to have a play on the material", Thomas explains. "Most Dutch people get it immediately, and tourists often ask about it, it's a conversation starter".

Wine and Design

The one-world connection didn't end with materials. Qurc began collaborating with Michelin-starred restaurants and wine connoisseurs, leaning into the sensory story of their shoes. "It was a nice hook, people love that the materials come from something familiar like wine", says Thomas.

Each material brings its own vibe. Cork, with its natural texture and structure, offers depth and a tactile, raw finish. "You can see the freckles and imperfections, it gives the shoe character". Thomas explains. Grape leather, smoother and reminiscent of traditional animal leather, adds an elegant, refined look.

From Incubator to Impact

What makes the Qurc story even more surprising is how it started with two strangers. "We didn't know each other at all. Thomas recalls. "We were teamed up through an incubator program, after literally sleeping in bunk beds during selection rounds. They didn't trust us with money separately, but thought we might do well together".

Spoiler: They did.

Today, Qurc has its store in Amsterdam, something Thomas still can't quite believe. "Seeing someone on the street or train wearing our shoes, that's wild".

More than Just a Vegan Brand

While sustainability is core to Qurc, it's not the only selling point. "Most of our customers aren't vegan" he admits, they just think it's cool that the shoes are made from cork and grapes, and they like the design."

Still, ethics matter. "We don't want to contribute to the problem, we want to be part of the solution", he says. "We use natural materials, and our cork is treated only with boiling water. No chemicals."

Even their soles use recycled rubber (70% recycled to maintain durability), and their grape leather is 85% natural, a lot better than just plastic" Thomas notes.

But what about overseas production? Isn't Europe always a "safe" option?

"We try not to fall into the trap of thinking Europe equals 'good' and everything outside equals 'bad'. " Thomas explains.

"It's more about how and under conditions things are made. Portugal works for us now because we can maintain high quality and transparency, but we don't rule out ethical production elsewhere".

Looking Forward

Where's Qurc headed?

"We want to become one of the bigger brands," says Thomas. "First in the Netherlands, then abroad. We want to show sustainability doesn't mean you have to compromise on style or quality."

They're already being stocked in boutiques across the country and getting noticed by celebs like Patrick Kluivert. But more than fame, Qurc is chasing impact, with every step.