
WORDS Michaela Stehr IMAGES pinatex_official on Instargram VIDEO Crane.tv
Piñatex is a new material made from pineapple leaf fibres – a perfect sustainable alternative to leather.
The new material was created by Carmen Hijosa, founder of Ananas Anam, after she realised that there was a gap in the market for a biodegradable and durable material that could substitute leather in fashion and decor.
After working in the leather trade for 15 years she realised the impact of leather production on the environment. Using pineapples from the Philippines helps not only with job creation and upliftment, but waste produce from the pineapple trade is drastically minimised, as the pineapple fibres are used in textile creation.
Big brands such as Puma and Camper are already on board with this innovative product.