While new alternatives to leather seem to be cropping up in the fashion industry on a regular basis, in order to reduce the impact of our sneakers and handbags on the planet, there is still a long way to go to significantly minimise the impact of an entire sector on the environment.
But things can change quickly, as shown by the latest innovation from British label Been London. It has presented a prototype of a plastic-free, compostable, recyclable, vegan, locally made, and carbon-negative handbag.
In order to create this prototype and meet these criteria, the brand turned to Treekind ‘leaf leather’ from the start-up Biophilica. This new alternative to leather is made from urban plant waste collected in London parks — making it the epitome of circular fashion.
This new type of material would not only be recyclable but also carbon neutral, and compostable, which is also useful. So at the end of its life, your handbag can decompose quickly — and with no adverse effect on the environment.
Eco-friendliness aside, the compostable handbag doesn’t compromise on its style quotient either — it’s based on Been London’s popular Cecilia design, a chic crossbody bag. While still in the prototype stage, it could become Been London’s most sustainable model if it sees the light of day. We can’t wait to see how its final iteration turns out.
This story was published via AFP Relaxnews
(All images: Been London)
