After years of selling copies of designer shoes and handbags, street vendors in Barcelona have set up a co-operative and launched their own sturdy and locally made running shoes. The shoes are called Ande Dem, which means "walking together" in the Wolof language, and the brand, Top Manta, is named for the blanket (manta) on which vendors lay their wares. The co-op has produced 400 pairs so far and sells them from the shop or online. Most manteros are from Senegal and arrived in Spain after hazardous sea journeys in small inflatable boats; profits are going to help their families.

Read Full Story


More: