What is pinatex?

What is pinatex? Why it has been gaining popularity in the fashion industry during the recent years? And is pinatex an answer to the long-running fashion sustainability debate? Keep on reading to learn more about pinatex, its’ features and maybe even fall in love with it!

The sustainability debate has been in the spotlight for the decent amount of years by now, and as a response to it pinatex was invented! Of course, it was not an overnight invention. The journey of pinatex began back in 1990’s when Dr.Carmen Hijosa (founder and chief creative&innovation officer for Anans Anam Ltd) was consulting on the Philippines leather export industry. Shocked by the environmental impact of mass leather production, she was driven to research a sustainable alternative. Carmen’s vision was and still is to connect people, ecology and economics to create a vibrant new industry that is both socially and environmentally responsible.

Natural, sustainably-sourced, cruelty free - are the right words to be used in the description of pinatex. It is an innovative natural textile made from waste pineapple leaf fibre, and is 100% eco friendly, vegan friendly and is also ethical in the sense that it gives pineapple farmers yet another source of income from their crops.The raw material that forms the base of pinatex is a by-product from existing pineapple harvest, so the raw material requires no additional environmental resources to produce. The processing of the pinatex is done with the least possible environmental impact - it is dried naturally by the sun and coloured by certified pigments only. The pinatex material feels like cowhide leather, is watertight, strong and very durable. No wonder more and more shoe and bag brands are using it!

At the end of the day all of us are responsible for our daily choices and decisions as well as for the decisions that have not been taken. We strongly believe that sustainable fashion will stay in the spotlight for the decades to come. For this reason the alternative material scene has been booming during the recent years coming up with even better and even more sustainable materials. Due to its unique features, genius production process as well as continuous research pinatex is a great alternative material that has been appreciated by the designers and fashion producers as well as end consumers! Do you still need another reason to give it a try?

Check out our collection of shoes made from Pinatex: https://tooche.me/collections/shoes/vegan-shoes