Leonardo DiCaprio faces $3.5 million financial blow with vegan shoe brand investment

Leonardo DiCaprio could be facing a significant financial setback after investing in the British vegan shoe brand Wild Loci Ltd. 

The company, known for its trendy Loci trainers, has reported losses of $3.5 million, including $930,000 owed to creditors. 

Documents show the previous year’s losses amounted to $1.3 million.

Loci trainers, which are made from recycled bamboo, foam, and rubber, reuse 20 plastic bottles per pair and sell for around $220. 

The eco-friendly shoes have become popular among celebrities such as Princess Eugenie and Lily James. 

Despite the financial difficulties, investors, including DiCaprio, 49, have injected $3.9 million into the firm over the past 12 months to help stabilize it.

Founder Emmanuel Eribo praised DiCaprio’s involvement, stating, “He’s an absolute star and sees the world the same way we see it. It’s been an absolute blessing having him on the team. You can’t ignore it’s a British brand and he’s betting on it. He didn’t need to do this — there’s definitely something in there that is tugging on him. If I could say things about Leo, I’d probably use two words: genuine and kind. You can care about the world and still want good things.”

DiCaprio himself expressed pride in his investment, saying, “I am proud to be an investor in LOCI, a brand dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact, and centred around creating cruelty-free, ethical footwear.”

Known for his environmental activism, DiCaprio’s commitment to helping the climate began in 1998 after meeting then US Vice President Al Gore to discuss global warming. 

That same year, he established the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation, which supports over 35 conservation projects worldwide.