Often, amazing leather alternatives are invented, but never make it to market. Luckily, these brands using Pinatex are the exception
What if we could replace animal leather with something made from pineapple bush waste? Well, it turns out we can do just that, thanks to Spanish designer Dr Carmen Hijosa. Dr Hijosa is the brains behind Pinatex, a new leather-like material. It’s replacing not only cruel animal products, but also environmentally disastrous ‘vegan leathers’.
She had been working for years in the leather industry, and was keen to find a cruelty-free alternative to animal hide. The critical factor, though, was that it also had to be planet-friendly.
On one particular business visit to the Philippines, she had a lightbulb moment. She learned that women in the Philippines wore traditional shirts made from the pineapple leaf fibres that were left over after harvesting the fruit. This sparked years of research and development, and finally, a new eco-friendly leather alternative was born. She called it Pinatex.
Since then, it’s been used by everyone from daring designers like (Philippine born) Ezra Santos, who stunned Dubai’s Fashion Forward event with his incredible gowns made from the stuff, to more practical shoe label Puma, who have most recently launched a line of Piñatex footwear.
Curious to see these styles?
Here, I’ve rounded up some of the best brands using Pinatex in their designs.
7 Stylish Brands That Use Pinatex
1. Svala
The brand: Svala is a vegan L.A. based fashion house that makes handbags using innovative, animal-friendly, PVC-free fabrics. The main textile used is Pinatex, but elements of cork, plant-based suede, organic cotton and polyester made from recycled plastic bottles is also incorporated into their work.
Our pick: The mini Didi clutch is perfect for any occasion, be it a fancy gala or a casual night out with friends. Flat, lightweight and versatile, it is perfect to carry around all of your essentials.
2. NAE Vegan
The brand: Of all the brands using Pinatex, this is one of our favourites! NAE is an acronym for No Animal Exploitation. That’s the core of this Portuguese label’s philosophy. The vegan footwear brand focuses on using natural and ecological materials that can exalt both design and style.
Our pick: The Bare sneaker is a unisex design that’s comfy and solid. Perfect for wearing with jeans or shorts in summer, this design truly epitomises how NAE creates modern, inclusive products that are designed for everyday use, giving a touch of edge and personality to whoever wears them. We love how you can choose from black or gold in this style!
3. Hugo Boss
The brand: The famous German luxury label has a history that goes all the way back to 1924. However, Hugo Boss keeps up with the times by being one of the oldest brands using Pinatex! They’ve created chic sneakers that take bold steps towards more responsible design by using this innovative leather alternative.
Our pick: Their Limited Edition 100% vegan trainers in Pinatex pay exceptional attention to detail. They’re available in a range of naturally-dyed colours for both genders. These shoes feature lightweight recycled TPU soles and organic cotton laces, making the entire shoe eco-friendly.
4. Altiir
The brand: Altiir is one of the most innovative brands using pinatex. The vegan brand creates luxury garments for today’s conscious individual. Their style is classically cool, tapping into the vibe of rock stars like Jagger, Bowie and Hendrix.
Our pick: We are dying of lust for one of this sustainable label’s kick ass biker jackets! Made from thick Piñatex, they’re ridiculously cool! Especially since they come in not only classic black, but rock-god gold and silver, too.
5. Baula
The brand: Baula is one of the few Colombian brands using Pinatex in their designs. They’re very proud of their constant and innovative use of sustainable processes and materials. Currently, Baula gets their apple-and-pineapple-based leather alternatives from Italy and the Philippines.
The brand makes the linings of their bags in Colombia from recycled plastic bottles and cotton leftovers from the fashion industry.
Our pick: Their mini Rhino Bag in silver or gold acts as a small clutch or a crossbody – you choose! Just add or remove the strap to change the style of the bag.
6. Po-Zu
The brand: Po-Zu brings exceptional performance to the world of footwear. All their vegan-friendly materials are carefully selected to offer comfort, warmth and durability.
Our pick: Po-Zu makes their timeless feminine flats in a range of sumptuous materials. They feature a comfy Foot-Mattress, which can be removed if you prefer a more barefoot experience. Their two-toned Elio Old gold Pinatex flat is our top pick. It’s a must-have for its simplicity of style.
7. Maravillas Bags
The brand: This marvellous handbag brand from Spain couldn’t have any other name but Maravillas Bags! The vegan label, designed by Christina Bussmann in Palma de Mallorca, combines modern urban design with traditional craftsmanship.
Our pick: The Amsterdam/Africa Piñatex Satchel Bag brings together the joyfulness of two different continents! It’s the perfect size for all your essentials. And its natural hue goes with just about any outfit.
Do you know of any other brands using Pinatex? Let us know in the comments, below!
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