The conventional leather industry is being shaken up by new fashion innovators that are developing leather-like fabrics out of unlikely materials, such as fish skin and fruit.
Waste salmon and eel skins, a by-product of the food industry, are now being turned into high end accessories by start-up Heidi & Adele.
Founded 18 months ago by Heidi Carneau, a former Goldman Sachs director, and serial entrepreneur Adele Taylor, the fashion business works with a salmon factory in Iceland and an eel processing plant in Korea to make the “eco exotic” leathers.
Fish leather is just as strong as other leathers on the market and takes dye easily, so Heidi & Adele’s range of bags, purses, and oyster card holders come in a dazzling array of colours.
The finished leather has striking scales and patterns that are similar to reptile leather, but without the “guilt factor”.
“Python has been very big in the past few years, but many of those manufacturers source snakes illegally in Indonesia,” says Carneau, who is hoping to appeal to the ethical fashionista.
“Python are inflated while alive to stretch the skin then their heads are chopped off. It’s horrendous - the next fashion scandal waiting to break.” (...)
Footwear brands Puma and Camper are currently experimenting with one of these eco alternatives, made entirely from pineapple leaves.
Pinetex has been developed by former leather consultant Carmen Hijosa after she discovered the material in the Philippines.
“It is made from pineapple leaf fibres that are a waste product of the pineapple harvest,” Ananas Anam founder Hijosa told the Telegraph. “It can be made into any kind of fashion accessory such as bags, shoes, and hats, as well as furnishings and interiors.”
by Rebecca Burn-Callander, The Telegraph | Read more:
Image: Pinatex
Waste salmon and eel skins, a by-product of the food industry, are now being turned into high end accessories by start-up Heidi & Adele.
Founded 18 months ago by Heidi Carneau, a former Goldman Sachs director, and serial entrepreneur Adele Taylor, the fashion business works with a salmon factory in Iceland and an eel processing plant in Korea to make the “eco exotic” leathers.Fish leather is just as strong as other leathers on the market and takes dye easily, so Heidi & Adele’s range of bags, purses, and oyster card holders come in a dazzling array of colours.
The finished leather has striking scales and patterns that are similar to reptile leather, but without the “guilt factor”.
“Python has been very big in the past few years, but many of those manufacturers source snakes illegally in Indonesia,” says Carneau, who is hoping to appeal to the ethical fashionista.
“Python are inflated while alive to stretch the skin then their heads are chopped off. It’s horrendous - the next fashion scandal waiting to break.” (...)
Footwear brands Puma and Camper are currently experimenting with one of these eco alternatives, made entirely from pineapple leaves.
Pinetex has been developed by former leather consultant Carmen Hijosa after she discovered the material in the Philippines.
“It is made from pineapple leaf fibres that are a waste product of the pineapple harvest,” Ananas Anam founder Hijosa told the Telegraph. “It can be made into any kind of fashion accessory such as bags, shoes, and hats, as well as furnishings and interiors.”
by Rebecca Burn-Callander, The Telegraph | Read more:
Image: Pinatex
