W
hile many of us love the faux leather
look, production of both the real and
artificial versions has a big impact
on the environment. Dr Carmen
Hijosa, a leathergoods expert, was
shocked by this on a trip to factories in the Philippines,
and decided to find a solution. The answer? Pineapples!
Leaves from this zingy fruit usually become a by-product
during harvesting, but Dr Carmen found a way to extract
their long fibres and turn them into a mesh-like fabric,
which can be finished to take on a leather-like look. She
now distributes this fabric, Piñatex, to designers and
makers in the fashion, interior and automotive industries,
and hopes to inspire new thinking. “Without having to
plant anything extra, we have an abundant new source
of raw material,” she explains; “Piñatex represents a huge
change.” Find out more at ananas-anam.com
Take a leaf