The queen of animal cruelty-free, Stella McCartney, is bringing to the stage a new level of sustainability. Imagine tying your shoelaces, stepping outside, and knowing that when you no longer use them, those shoes could return to the earth. Leaving behind nothing but a trace of cinnamon-scented air.

With their new S-Wave Sport Trainer, Stella McCartney and material science startup Balena are reshaping how we think about sneakers. Not just in terms of style, but in terms of what they’re made of, how long they last, and what happens after you’ve worn them out.

The Scent of Sustainability

The S-Wave Sport Trainer is a fully compostable, cinnamon-scented, plant-based footwear. At first glance, the pair embody Stella McCartney's signature elegance and minimalism. With a slightly chunky outsole that nods to sport-luxe style. Up close is where it stands out. Its sole is made from BioCir® Flex, a cinnamon-dyed, bio-based material that blends flexibility with full biodegradability. When Stella says it smells like cinnamon, she’s being literal. The dye used in the sole is derived from waste cinnamon bark, giving the trainers an earthy, warm scent.

Every component has a purpose beyond aesthetics. The upper, the cushioning, the sole, all are made from renewable feedstocks like castor beans, plant oils, and natural polysaccharides, offering the performance of rubber, minus the pollution.

Designed for Decomposition

Balena’s BioCir® Flex material behaves like the best of both worlds. It's as durable as TPU, absorbs shock with each step, and is soft and responsive as rubber, adjusting to movement and wear. But unlike synthetic plastics, it won’t last forever, and that’s the point.

When you’ve reached the end of your sneaker’s life cycle, it won't go to a landfill. Instead, it can be sent to an industrial composting facility, where it breaks down into nutrient-rich biomass. Alternatively, it can be recycled back into a new product. It's an example of fashion that gives back to the earth instead of only taking from it.

A Philosophy You Can Step Into

Stella McCartney is constantly pushing the fashion industry toward something cleaner, kinder, and more innovative.

The S-Wave Sport takes that ethos to the next level. Every inch of the trainer is crafted with intention. Even the cinnamon scent becomes symbolic. As a subtle reminder that nature and technology can co-exist beautifully.

Here is how BioCir® Flex is made:

• Plant-Based: Sourced from renewable resources like castor beans, natural oils, and plant sugars.

• Compostable: Will break down fully in industrial compost, turning into soil-nourishing biomass.

• Recyclable: Can be returned and reprocessed to create new material.

• Naturally Dyed: Coloured with cinnamon waste, avoiding toxic chemicals entirely.

• Flexible and Strong: Performs like traditional synthetic rubber, but with none of the environmental cost.

All Images: Stella McCartney

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