Why is vegetable-tanned leather the most eco-responsible leather?
For Biche Maison Dréan, as for the leading French and Italian top-of-the-range brands, there's no doubt about it!
The leather used by Biche Maison Dréan is ‘full grain’ leather. It is not split leather, which is a kind of agglomerate leather “chipboard” with a plastic finish to make it waterproof and smooth. The leather used for Biche bags is generally calfskin tanned in Italy using only plant products that produce natural tannin, such as oak or sumac seeds and leaves. The soaking process is long and delicate: it can take up to 3 weeks for the leather to be perfect. But the result is unique and completely respectful of the environment and of the health of the leather workers. Vegetable-tanned leather is a noble and expensive product, but it's worth it! (Alas, today, 85% of the world's leather is chemically tanned using chrome and aluminium salts. These products are then released into the environment and are harmful to tannery workers). A bag made from beautiful leather tanned in an eco-responsible way, without chemical products or plastic coatings, from skins that themselves come from food industry waste, is the best way to consume beautiful and respectful!
Why are vegan “leathers” not so eco-friendly?
Unfortunately, until we find a miracle solution, vegan “leathers” are indeed made from agglomerated plant fibres (apple, cactus, mushroom...) but mixed with chemical components and glues to bind them together, and covered with plastic substances to make them waterproof and smooth. In particular polyurethane, a petrochemical-based material.
So they contribute to create new micro-plastics that pollute our oceans, and are not resistant to heat or humidity. Over time, they crack or come unstuck. We can't delay this ageing process by feeding them: what's the point of moisturising plastic?
Let's not generate new synthetic materials that will be new waste!
But I'm not giving up hope. Many laboratories are looking for the magic formula to create a totally vegan, beautiful, resistant, and pollutant-free material. There's still a lot of work to be completed, but believe me: as soon as this new material exists, Biche Maison Dréan will be on board! For the moment, there is nothing as noble as vegetable-tanned leather. Veg-tanned and colored leather does not pollute, and will age beautifully: wear your bag away from rain and scratches for the first 3-4 months: after this short period, it will take on a soft, shiny patina that will protect it from the elements, heat, rain and scratches. The plant-based tanning process preserves the leather's natural oils and fibers, so it doesn't crack and becomes more resistant over time.
Your Biche bag will is repairable, and you’ll be passing it on to future generations as a cherished and magnified life companion!
So, yes, consuming leather can be controversial, but using top-quality, sustainable leather in a sensible way seems to be the best alternative for the planet, and for your style!
