Leonardo DiCaprio seemingly needs to tread more carefully after investing in a vegan trainer brand, which has reported huge losses, after he faced accusations of eco-hypocrisy.
The Hollywood movie star and environmental activist, 49, is said to have a personal fortune of $300 million and used some of that staggering fortune to invest in Wild Loci.
Leo’s investment in the company came after he faced increasing accusations of hypocrisy for enjoying a lavish lifestyle while calling on others to fight against climate change.
The British firm crafts vegan trainers from recycled bamboo, foam and rubber, and also recycles 20 plastic bottles into every pair it makes.
The range of trainers come in both women’s and men’s designs and sizes and retail from £120 to £170 ($155 – $220).
Leonardo DiCaprio seemingly needs to tread more carefully after investing in a vegan trainer brand, which has reported huge losses, after he faced accusations of eco-hypocrisy (pictured in May last year)
The Hollywood movie star and environmental activist, 49, is said to have a personal fortune of $300 million and used some of that staggering fortune to invest in Wild Loci (pictured at UN in 2016)
However, Leo may think twice about putting more of his hard earned cash in, as recently reported accounts show the company has made significant losses.
According to statements filed at Companies House, Wild Loci Ltd made a loss of £2,700,454 ($3,479,440) by April 2023.
While the documents show that 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 and has called climate change ‘the most urgent threat facing our entire species’.
The Oscar winner established The Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation in 1998 aged 24 with the mission of bringing attention and funding to the protection of biodiversity, ocean and forest conservation, and climate change.
The actor also serves on the board of several environmental protection organisations including the World Wildlife Fund, the Natural Resources Defense Council, International Fund for Animal Welfare, Pristine Seas and Oceans 5.
He is also said to have funnelled £75 million ($97 million) of his mammoth wealth into a global conservation project to protect endangered species and land from developers.
Leo’s investment in the company came after he faced increasing accusations of hypocrisy for enjoying a lavish lifestyle with numerous houses and propensity for yachts and private jets (pictured in 2016)
The British firm crafts vegan trainers from recycled bamboo, foam and rubber, and also recycles 20 plastic bottles into every pair it makes, retailing from £120 to £170
But, according to statements filed at Companies House, Wild Loci Ltd made a loss of £2,700,454 by April 2023 and reported a loss of £966,809 the year before
Leo has been honoured with the Clinton Global Citizen Award for his philanthropic work and is a United Nations Messenger of Peace for climate change.
But he has come under fire in recent years, being accused of exhibiting eco-hypocrisy with his lavish lifestyle.
Along with his numerous houses and propensity for hosting luxury yacht parties, he has been particularly criticised for his use of gas-guzzling private jets for lengthy trips in short spaces of time.
In 2016, Leo was ridiculed for an 8,000 mile trip via private jet from Europe to New York City to accept an award for his environmental activism.
Carbon emissions for private jets vary, but by some accounts are more than 37 times higher than flying commercial.
After causing a wave of controversy with the trip, the Titanic star appeared keen to make amends in 2021 – travelling commercially to Glasgow for the COP26 eco summit.
But last year he appeared to be back up to his old ways and once again was 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 particularly criticised for his use of gas-guzzling private jets for lengthy trips in short spaces of time and in March 2023 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 clocking up over 12,000 airmiles in two weeks while enjoying nights out with numerous models and flying in between the US and cities such as London, Milan, and Paris
But his appearance came after he clocking up over 12,000 airmiles in two weeks while enjoying nights out with numerous models and flying in between the US and cities such as London, Milan, and Paris.
Wild Loci was founded in 2021 by a quartet of Londoners including Emmanuel Eribo, and a slew of investors, including Leo, have injected £3million ($3,865,695) into the company over the past 12 months.
Its footwear has been spotted on the feet of number of big names like actress Lily James and Princess Eugenie.
While the brand also recently collaborated with rapper Nicki Minaj, who curated a collection that ‘blends street-cool aesthetics with high-fashion chic.’
Speaking about the collaboration, Nicki said: ‘I wanted to ensure that the culture I grew up with, one of never giving up, was mirrored in my collection. It’s more than just fashion; it’s a lifestyle.
‘I’ll never put out a single pair that I don’t wear. My fans know that about me. It’ll 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 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.’
He gushed: ‘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’.
While Leo himself said: ‘I am proud to be an investor in LØCI, a brand dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact, and centred around creating cruelty-free, ethical footwear.’
Wild Loci was founded in 2021 by a quartet of Londoners including Emmanuel Eribo (pictured), and its footwear has been spotted on the feet the likes of Lily James and Princess Eugenie
The brand also recently collaborated with rapper Nicki Minaj (pictured in March) who curated a collection that ‘blends street-cool aesthetics with high-fashion chic’
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