Leonardo DiCaprio may have to be more cautious after investing in a vegan sports shoe brand, which has suffered huge losses after being accused of eco-hypocrisy.
The 49-year-old Hollywood movie star and environmental activist is said to have a personal fortune of $300 million and has invested part of that vast fortune in Wild Loci.
Leo invested in the company after he was increasingly accused of hypocrisy, living an extravagant lifestyle and calling on others to take action against climate change.
The British company makes vegan sneakers from recycled bamboo, foam and rubber and also recycles 20 plastic bottles for every pair it produces.
The sneakers are available in women’s and men’s models and sizes, and retail for £120-£170 ($155-$220).
Leonardo DiCaprio apparently needs to tread more carefully after investing in a vegan sports shoe brand that reported huge losses after being accused of eco-hypocrisy (pictured in May last year)
The 49-year-old Hollywood movie star and environmental activist is said to have a personal fortune of $300 million and has used part of that staggering fortune to invest in Wild Loci (pictured at the UN in 2016)
However, Leo may think twice before investing more of his hard-earned money into it, as recently reported figures show the company has suffered significant losses.
According to statements filed with Companies House, Wild Loci Ltd made a loss of £2,700,454 ($3,479,440) in April 2023.
The documents show the brand reported a loss of £966,809 ($1,245,796) the year before.
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Leonardo DiCaprio and Wild Loci Ltd for comment.
Leo has long been an outspoken advocate for environmental issues, calling climate change “the most urgent threat facing our entire species.”
The Oscar winner founded the Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 at the age of 24 with the mission of raising awareness and funds for biodiversity protection, ocean and forest conservation, and climate change.
The actor also serves on the boards of several environmental protection organizations, including the World Wildlife Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Pristine Seas and Oceans 5.
He is also said to have invested £75 million ($97 million) of his vast fortune in a global conservation project to protect endangered species and land from developers.
Leo’s investment in the company came after he was increasingly accused of hypocrisy, as he lived an extravagant lifestyle with many homes and a penchant for yachts and private jets (pictured in 2016)
The British company makes vegan sneakers from recycled bamboo, foam and rubber, and also recycles 20 plastic bottles for every pair it produces, selling them for between £120 and £170.
But according to statements filed with Companies House, Wild Loci Ltd made a loss of £2,700,454 in April 2023, having reported a loss of £966,809 a year earlier.
Leo received the Clinton Global Citizen Award for his philanthropic work and is a UN Messenger of Peace for climate change.
But in recent years he has come under increasing fire for allegedly exuding eco-hypocrisy with his extravagant lifestyle.
Besides his many homes and his preference for hosting lavish yacht parties, he has been criticized mainly for using private jets for long journeys in short periods of time, which consume a lot of fuel.
In 2016, Leo was ridiculed when he flew 8,600 miles from Europe to New York City in a private jet to accept an award for his environmental activism.
Private jet carbon emissions vary, but some estimate they are 37 times higher than commercial flights.
After the trip sparked much controversy, the Titanic star appeared keen to make amends in 2021 by travelling commercially to Glasgow for the COP26 eco-summit.
But last year he appeared to fall back into his old pattern and was again accused of double standards.
In March, Leo attended the Green Carpet Fashion Award alongside leaders in sustainable fashion and activism in Los Angeles.
Leo has been criticized in particular for his use of gas-guzzling private jets for long journeys in short periods of time and in March 2023 he attended the Green Carpet Fashion Award alongside leaders in sustainable fashion and activism in Los Angeles (pictured with Sonia Guajajara)
But his appearance came after he racked up more than 12,000 air miles in two weeks, enjoying nights out with countless models and flying between the US and cities including London, Milan and Paris.
But his appearance came after he racked up more than 12,000 air miles in two weeks, enjoying nights out with countless models and flying between the US and cities including London, Milan and Paris.
Wild Loci was founded in 2021 by four Londoners, including Emmanuel Eribo. A host of investors, including Leo, have invested £3 million ($3,865,695) in the company over the past 12 months.
The footwear has been spotted by a number of big names, including actress Lily James and Princess Eugenie.
The brand also recently collaborated with rapper Nicki Minaj, who created a collection that “combines street-ready aesthetics with high-fashion chic.”
Nicki said of the collaboration: ‘I wanted to make sure that the culture I grew up in, a culture of never giving up, was reflected in my collection. It’s more than just fashion; it’s a lifestyle.
“I will never release a single pair that I don’t wear. My fans know that about me. It will always be ‘Nicki approved.'”
Speaking about Leonardo’s investment in July last year, Emmanuel told the Mail’s Richard Eden: ‘Leonardo DiCaprio is one of our investors. He’s an absolute star and sees the world the same way we see it.
“It’s an absolute blessing to have him in the team. You can’t ignore the fact that it’s a British brand and he’s pushing for it.
“He didn’t have to do this. There’s definitely something inside him that’s pulling at him.”
He raved, “If I could say things about Leo, I’d probably use two words: sincere and kind. You can care about the world and still want good things.”
Leo himself said: ‘I am proud to invest in LØCI, a brand that is committed to minimizing its impact on the environment and focuses on creating animal-friendly, ethical shoes.’
Wild Loci was founded in 2021 by a quartet of Londoners including Emmanuel Eribo (pictured), and the shoes have been spotted on the feet of Lily James and Princess Eugenie, among others
The brand also recently collaborated with rapper Nicki Minaj (pictured in March), who created a collection that “combines a street-cool aesthetic with high-fashion chic”
