Emmanuel Eribo transforms his career from banking to leading a vegan sneaker brand, LØCI, attracting Hollywood’s attention with commitment to sustainability.
Emmanuel Eribo, a former banker, has transformed his life from the financial industry to the forefront of sustainable fashion as the founder of LØCI, a vegan sneaker brand that has caught the attention of several Hollywood celebrities. After leaving his high-pressure job in the city, Eribo faced skepticism from his friends and even resistance from his superiors, who advised him not to pursue his entrepreneurial ambitions. Despite the doubts, he pursued his vision, launching the company in 2021 with his brother, Frank, and childhood friends Philippe Homsy and Mark Quaradeghini.
Prior to establishing LØCI, Eribo had already ventured into the fashion market by co-founding Butterfly Twists, a women’s footwear brand that sold six million pairs of foldable ballerina flats. Although he initially found success, Emmanuel yearned for a deeper connection to his work. Inspired by a desire for authenticity and sustainability, he pivoted to create LØCI, a brand that emphasizes eco-friendly materials and practices.
Reflecting on his journey in an interview with The Mirror, Eribo credited his mother, Lynda, as a powerful source of motivation. Lynda, a Nigerian immigrant and fluent in seven languages, experienced significant challenges in the UK job market after moving for her medical education. Unable to find work as a doctor, she adapted by launching her own care home, serving as a vital role model for Emmanuel. Eribo described her influence, stating, “To have someone that is putting themselves out there for you… I’ve seen her come out of that and she put in the hard work, and grew a business and provided for our family.”
Now, many Hollywood stars, including Dwayne Johnson, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Ben Affleck, have been spotted wearing LØCI sneakers, boosting the brand’s visibility and appeal. In addition to these endorsements, the brand’s collaboration with rapper Nicki Minaj has added to its growing popularity. Emmanuel expressed his amazement at the brand’s trajectory, saying, “I couldn’t have imagined that it would have caught the eyes of Leonardo DiCaprio or Nicki Minaj.”
Sustainability is a core principle of LØCI, which relies on ethically sourced and recycled materials. In speaking of the brand’s commitment to innovation, Eribo noted, “Saying you can’t use something that harms animals forces you to innovate to find what are the best alternatives to everything.” He highlighted the importance of their approach to storytelling and environmental consciousness as integral to the brand’s identity.
As he continues to travel between Los Angeles and London, negotiating significant deals and building on his success, Eribo remains grounded by his past. Having traded his suits for sneakers, he shares insights on overcoming skepticism from others, stating, “You have to drown out the doubt because those people who doubt you often doubt themselves.” This mindset not only shaped his path but also reflects the larger narrative of his entrepreneurial journey from the banking world to becoming a prominent figure in sustainable fashion.
Source: Noah Wire Services
