
Lab grown leather. Why?
Vitrolabs, a company that has discovered a tissue engineering process that can grow cowhide in a lab has just raised $46million in funding for production. This is undoubtedly amazing, but what problem is it solving?
Meet the Accessories Category Winner for the inaugural Real Leather. Stay Different. Nordic Region Student Design Competition, Riikka Peltola – with her beautiful Leather Blossom design.
Tell us about the inspiration behind your project:
My entry is a large leather hat made of thin leather stripes. It is made from recycled leather and uses basket twining techniques. This technique allows me to control the shape during the creation process. My project is inspired by images of traditional woven baskets which I found in the Finnish National Museum’s archive. My work is also inspired by American photographer Imogen Cunningham’s minimalistic pictures from the 1920s to 1980s. I am stunned at how she manipulated light and texture.
What do you think makes leather a great material to design with?
Leather is an interesting material to manipulate, since it doesn’t fray. As it’s not a yarn-based material, it’s behaviour is totally different during the weaving process than knitted materials.
How has this competition influenced your view of working with leather in the future?
Well-made and cared-for leather is a high quality material and a product that lasts a lifetime. It gains a personal character through use, meaning it only gets better with time. Building real memories which connect us to the leather products we own and buy reduces our buying of things we don’t respect.
What are your thoughts on leather and sustainability, and how you think leather can adapt to a fashion industry increasingly focused on sustainability?
I think we should create a transparent supply chain by being clear about where you source your materials from and explaining exactly which steps are taken in the supply chain.
Follow Riikka on Instagram: @riikkapelt
Discover the shortlisted entries from the Nordic Competition here.
Discover more on leather and sustainability here.
Vitrolabs, a company that has discovered a tissue engineering process that can grow cowhide in a lab has just raised $46million in funding for production. This is undoubtedly amazing, but what problem is it solving?
Meet Serena from Shanghai, her simple style is both practical and chic. Find out about the brands she's wearing and why leather is her go-to choice for everyday outerwear.
For this edition of my leather loves series, I have teamed up with MATCHESFASHION in presenting you with the hottest on trend leather holiday looks.
We catch up with another design student, Huan Shengan, and discuss the inspiration for her designs and thoughts on working with leather.