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Future Leather Concepts
Sustainable Skins

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2017.06.29

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As sustainability becomes an integral aspect of the modern fashion industry, tanners and material manufacturers are leading the way in appealing to a new generation of conscious consumer. Ethical sourcing and ‘closed loop’ production combined with the latest scientific innovation is key to the rise of sustainable skins and plant-based options, offering viable alternatives to traditional animal products.

Today, we invite Trendstop’s team of experts to bring us the latest technological advancements that are changing the face of the materials market. Be inspired by four cutting edge developments that will be essential in informing the future direction of your leather collections.

Skin-Free Skin

The popularity of vegetarian and vegan lifestyles is increasing the demand for leather equivalents among fashion consumers. Accessories brands and designer labels such as Matt & Nat and JW Anderson are helping promote these new materials as viable alternatives to leather. Stella McCartney’s launch of Skin-free Skin during Paris Fashion Week’s Fall/Winter 2017-18 edition, illustrates the development and elevation in the quality of faux leathers, enabling their increased inclusion within premium level apparel lines.

Trend takeaway: Elevating quality levels of vegan leather alternatives is key to their introduction into the luxury and mainstream markets.

Stella McCartney Fall Winter 1718

Pinatex

Pinatex & Amadou

Plant fibres are among the newest innovations revolutionising the materials sector. Pinatex by Ananas Anam transforms recycled pineapple leaves into a strong, flexible material. The ability to replicate real leather is seeing Pinatex utilised by footwear and accessories brands including Fabiolas and Ally Cappelino. The skin of the Amadou mushroom can also imitate the properties of animal hide. Prototype footwear designs by creator Irene-Marie Seelig, are currently in development with the aim of introducing biodegradable Amadou leather into luxury fashion.

Trend takeaway: Plant fibres are ideally placed to fulfil the demand for vegan leather whilst minimising the need for synthetic alternatives.

Cork Leather

Cork leather brings together natural cork shavings blended with a variety of other materials to create flexible, durable leather substitute. Harvesting from renewable sources, cork leather uses hand production techniques to enhance its ethical credentials. Accessories brand Matt & Nat have created a range of bags and footwear that utilise cork's unique natural properties and patternation. Cork blends and hybrids are also translating across the leather industry, as tanners utilise cork as an alternative to synthetic backers that better compliment the industry's move toward greener production processes.

Trend takeaway: Material blends offer added durability to natural materials and offer innovative hybrids that fuse sustainability with performance.

Matt & Nat Cork Collection

Osklen Monbupurih SS17

Pirarucu

As vegan leathers evolve, the traditional tanning industry is also working to create a more sustainable future, reducing chemical processes and returning to plant-based tanning techniques. Brazilian brand Osklen are taking the lead, recycling the skins of pirarucu, tilapia and salmon that are already being farmed for consumption. The sleek yet soft handles of apparel, accessories and footwear are finished in natural giant scale patterns or embossed to mimic other exotics, creating a new 'sophisticated sustainability' that appeals to the high-end fashion customer.

Trend takeaway: Innovative sourcing and unexpected raw materials are elevating traditional tanning in the contemporary fashion arena.

Trendstop is a trend forecasting agency and consultancy with the finger on the pulse and an eye firmly to the future. With Trendstop’s trend forecasts, designers have the fundamental tools to build a collection that is not just conceptual, but carries the right elements to attract buyers’ attention and make a new label commercially viable.

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acce / bags / fashion / forecast / leather / trend / Trendstop