H&M Debuts Vegan Pineapple Leather Jackets

Fashion retailer H&M will debut its Conscious Exclusive collection in stores and online on April 11 and it’s a treasure trove of apparel and accessories made from unique plant-based materials. The company partnered with several textile innovators—including pineapple-based leather brand Piñatex and vegan silk producer Orange Fiber—to develop the new collection that features jackets with vegan leather accents (with matching skirts and boots), vegan silk corset tops, and an array of other nature-inspired pieces in bold animal prints, coral and aqua hues, and with standout metallic accents. “For this collection, we explored the beauty in nature, which shows in the prints, as well as the flowy silhouettes, the striking color palette, and the attention to detail,” Ann-Sofie Johansson, Creative Advisor at H&M, said. “We’re thrilled to introduce new plant-based sustainable materials to create high-performing, beautiful, and fashionable pieces that are statement-making yet so easy to wear.” In 2016, Spanish designer Carmen Hijosa debuted her innovate material Piñatex, which has since been used by a number of companies, including Hilton Hotels which uses the pineapple-based leather instead of animal skin on furnishings at its all-vegan hotel suite in London. Italian company Orange Fiber—founded in 2014 by Adriana Santanocito and Enrica Arena—creates its cruelty-free silk from cellulose extracted from thousands of tons of otherwise wasted citrus fruits.