World Environment Day marks a day of choices. Choices to do better, to make decisions which benefit and help conserve the earth’s natural resources and animals. The topic that trending on the subject right now is sustainable fabrics. With many textiles such as bamboo, organic hemp, and linen on the market, you may feel that there are maybe too many to choose from. Don’t worry, we at AiSPi have you covered.
We have picked some of our top leather-alternatives, which feel and look much like the real thing but are made without harming the environment. These materials are all set to tackle the world of fashion. Their durability, flexibility and low environmental impact make them perfect wardrobe staple–one which you can gift your friend or yourself.
Desserto
Desserto is a plant-based leather made from something we find quite catchy: Cactus. This vegan material is an eco-friendly fabric which is highly sustainable, partially biodegradable and 100% animal cruelty-free. The process involves drying of mature cactus leaves in natural sunlight, before combining with non-toxic chemicals to create a soft, durable, flexible material. The best part? No animals were harmed in the making.
Nita Suri, an AiSPi-ed luxury accessories label is turning Desserto into beautiful mini bags. The LIA mini bag from the Cactus Collection made from is compact, lightweight and extremely strong.
Founded by Aum Nanavati, out of a love for animals and a need for more vegan luxury brands started AMARÉ. Using Desserto sourced from Mexico to produce minimalist structured handbags and purses, we love how the material is respected from soil to shelf.
Piñatex
A company we’ve AiSPi-ed who has chosen to use Piñatex as one of their conscious textiles is Mashu, the vegan accessories brand.
Mashu is turning pineapple leaves into stylish bucket bags with each bag saving 1751 grams of waste from landfill in the process. The bag has multiple compartments, making it the perfect eco-friendly addition to your day-to-day look.
The next sustainable material is something you may find in your Pina Colada or fruit salad… it’s pineapple! Piñatex, the vegan leather alternative is a breathable, flexible and compostable material taking form in that of gorgeous handbags and at times even jackets, upholstery, shoes and more!
Interestingly, this material is made from excess pineapple leaves of the agriculture industry which would otherwise be left unused and burned.
Apple Leather
THEMOIRé, a company focused on using as many eco-friendly and recyclable materials as possible, are using apple leather to create stunning shoulder bags, clutches and crossbody styles and many others!
The IRIDA Vegan Nappa flame is a bag which we cannot resist. With its geometrical structure and sturdiness, as well as the rich red colour, it’s a bag we are lusting after. The deal is also made that much sweeter; for every bag purchased a tree will be planted by THEMOIRé.
You know what they say, the apple doesn’t fall far from the luxury handbag. Apple Leather, also called Appleskin, founded in 2004, is made from apple waste from the fruit juice and compote industry.
The solids that are leftover after apples are pressed, called apple promace, are a solid which is being upcycled into a breathable, ecological and durable material.
As the primary purpose of Earth day is to celebrate the world’s natural resources and encourage environmental protection, we think, why not do it fashionably?
Written by Antigua Rose Koekemoer
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