As a vegan business owner, I wanted to incorporate products using faux leather unlike more common versions used in the market today, like polyurethane or plastic based leathers. I have known about new technology and companies turning plants into leather for years, and just knew I wanted to utilize these new fabrications. I think it is a wonderful and great new alternative which is friendlier to the planet as they are much more sustainable and healthier for the environment. There is so much leather consumption in the fashion and home goods markets in a day and age when there really does not need to be. New technologies have created such unique vegan alternatives such as Grape Leather, Apple Leather, Pineapple Leather, Mango Leather, Mycelium Leather, Cactus Leather, etc. and I am sure there are even more being developed.
So, what kind of home goods items are made of, or utilize leather?? Sofas and chairs are most common, also pillows, décor items and even accent touches like zipper pulls or handles and so much more. Eventually, I will be tackling this in the furniture space; but to start small, I decided to design accent pillows exclusive to Bon Coeur Home + Wellness, to showcase a plant-based leather. For my first project I chose to utilize cactus-based leather from Desserto®. I really love the color offerings, and think the fabric weight is ideal for a pillow. Not only am I a fan of the aesthetics and functionality of the cactus-based leather, I am also very impressed by the Desserto® developers and their mission.
“Desserto is committed in creating new sustainable solutions and promoting ethical practices through the industry value chains to help build a better world through the fashion, home and automotive industries.”
“Desserto® is a highly sustainable plant-based material made from cactus, made in Mexico as an alternative to animal leather. Often distinguished by its great softness at touch while offering performance for a wide variety of applications, Desserto® fabrics exceeds the compliance of the most rigorous environmental standards. Their materials offer cruelty free, sustainable alternatives, without any toxic chemicals or PVC. It is a highly organic product that offers high resistance to abrasion, rubbing, tearing, tensile and great durability. The material has elegant aesthetics, high performance and a soft, yet robust hand-feel.
Some sustainable attributes of Desserto® organic cactus include:
- Biodiversity to improve the region.
- Enrichment of soil micro-flora and micro-fauna through native and typical organic cactus afforestation.
- Huge savings in water as no irrigation is applied.
- Environmental preservation as no chemicals are used like herbicides or pesticides.
- Cactus is left unharmed to enable repeated harvesting from the same plant.
- Energy savings by drying the feed-stock in a solarium.
- No cross-industry conflict as the byproduct is directed to the food industry in an increased value form which is more attractive, and stimulates the agricultural sector to plant more cactus.
- Full vision and traceability of the farm to ensure sustainable social practices.
- Technological enhancements in the fields.
When I started the design development of the Pilar Pillow, I consciously considered the design, color and utilization of the cactus leather within the pillow. I chose classic colors that can be inter-seasonal and have longevity. I named the pillow after my cousin Pilar; I have always loved the name and it draws from my Mexican heritage. I guess it was meant to be to launch a plant-based leather utilizing Desserto’s® cactus-based leather which comes from central Mexico.
Fall is upon us and cozying up with one of our Pilar pillows, paired with a faux fur throw is a welcoming start to the season!
With love,
Jenni