Global Footwear Awards Winners.

We are incredibly excited to have captured both international and national acclaim just six months after launching the Orba Ghost. Winning two awards for sustainability endorses our unique world-first approach to design and sustainability.

Our Ghost sneaker took out the Sustainability category at the Global Footwear Awards and the Sustainable Product Design category at the Design Institute of NZ Best Design Awards, with judges commenting on the start-up’s “remarkable” and “outstanding” work.

The Global Footwear Awards recognise the world’s most exceptional footwear designs, with the Sustainability category evaluating creativity, design and innovation. It is judged by 15 industry professionals from brands and publications like Vogue, Adidas, Vera Wang, Hugo Boss, Prada, GQ, and the MIT Institute of Design.

We were particularly pleased that the judges of the Global Footwear awards recognised Orba’s end-to-end lifecycle for consumers – once a person has finished wearing their shoes they can return them to us at our cost, and we take full responsibility for their end of the life, ensuring they return to nature.

Find out more about the Global Footwear Awards here.

Designed in New Zealand & crafted from some of the most highly renewable plant-based materials in the world.

Best Design Awards.

Orba also took out the Sustainable Product Design Category at the NZ Best Design Awards, an annual showcase of Kiwi excellence in graphic, spatial, product, digital and motion design, judged by respected design professionals.

Judges Comments:
“Compelling sustainable credentials combined with stylish design convinced the judges and impressed them with the thoroughness and effort taken to achieve the goal of world-first mass-produced biodegradable shoe.”

Find out more on the Best Design Awards site here.

Our foundation is our commitment to the planet and its people.

The Wellington Gold Awards

Orba received award success at the Wellington Gold Awards 2022, winning the Emerging Products category (10 or fewer full-time employees). The Wellington Gold Awards celebrate excellence and enterprise of businesses in the Wellington region.

We are pleased with the recent Gold Award and it is nice to be acknowledged as we look to do things differently, our foundation as a business has always been our commitment to the planet and its people.

These awards endorse the unique world-first approach to design and sustainability that Orba delivers.

Our Materials Make the Difference.

All components and materials are designed and crafted from plant-based materials and meet the relevant ISO standards for casual footwear including abrasion and slip resistance, flexibility and tear strength. 

All are tested for pollutants so that the shoes meet the level required for certification. This assures us that our shoes are as safe as possible.

Learn more