As a city that loves the style as much as it loves to shop, it’s crucial that Hong Kong begins questioning the impact fast fashion has on our environment. Whilst our streets are scattered with tempting boutiques and shiny shopping malls, there is a way to strike a balance between staying on top of trends and shopping sustainably. There’s no denying that shoppers are becoming more and more concerned about the impact of their fabric choices on animals, workers and the environment, so leather is quickly becoming a questionable investment. Whether your motivation to make a shift is because of animal cruelty, the health issues affecting workers, or the leather industry’s high carbon footprint, the interest in alternative leathers is impacting what brands are offering us. If you’re finding yourself questioning whether it’s all worth a pair of shoes, these are some of the eco and ethical leather alternatives out there.
Why Thamon?
Made from: Real tree leaves! Coated with resin, leaves are lightweight but durable. Thamon's ethereal designs are made form sustainably sourced birch, lotus and Sal leaves. Each piece is handmade from fallen leaves, hand-dyed and crafted by artisans so every piece is entirely unique. The green leaf handbag is another favourite of ours.
Bonus points: All fallen leaves are collected by people within the area, meaning that the funds become a source of income to lower income families.