Stephen Hawthornthwaite

Stephen Hawthornthwaite is the Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Rothy’s, a sustainable lifestyle brand transforming recycled materials into modern shoes and accessories for all. Together with Co-Founder Roth Martin, he was inspired to bring the vision of an innovative, earth-conscious brand to life.

In 2016, Hawthornthwaite and Martin established a fully owned and operated factory in China, which allows them to set best-in-class sustainable manufacturing standards. Along with owning their supply chain—a rare feat in the industry—they also developed a 3D knitting production process that significantly reduces waste. Rothy's is constantly optimizing its sustainable practices and materials, and is well known for its signature thread, which is spun from plastic water bottles. In March 2021, Rothy’s set its most ambitious sustainability goal to date—achieving circular production within the next three years.

Going beyond women's footwear, Rothy's recently expanded into the men's category with the launch of two timeless styles: The RS01 Sneaker and The Driving Loafer. Intentionally designed with an artisanal level of detail, Rothy's Men's are crafted for exceptional comfort and almost zero waste. Extending its commitment to material innovation, Rothy's also recently introduced The Bag Collection. Bags by Rothy’s are carefully crafted using a brand new material—marine plastic. Sourced within 30 miles of coastal environments, marine plastic is blended with Rothy’s signature thread to create remarkable styles that are responsibly manufactured.

Hawthornthwaite has a longstanding passion for well-designed and well-made consumer goods. In co-founding Rothy’s, he was able to merge his personal interests with his professional experience. Prior to becoming an entrepreneur, Hawthornthwaite spent almost 20 years advising on M&A transactions and evaluating investment opportunities in both investment banking and corporate development. He focused in particular on the internet, digital media, e-commerce, and consumer sectors before taking the leap into sustainable fashion.