Authentic, genderless, vegan: today, clothing has to meet higher consumer needs than it had to a few years ago. 

This is not without reason, since it became clearer and clearer how huge the political and environmental impact of the fashion industry really is. In recent years, as traditional gender roles are evolving and more and more people learn and accept that not everyone fits into the boxes of “man” and “woman”, so too are industries beginning to cater for the entire spectrum of beautiful gender-diverse humans we share our spaces with. One challenge facing people who fall outside the gender binary is finding clothes that help them feel good in their skin.

Vegan leather options vary, as there are increasingly more sustainable leather alternatives entering the market. Some are made of synthetic materials that are often recyclable and/or made of recyclable materials, others are based on natural materials such as fruit, that are completely biodegradable. This is the case of AppleSkin™, the name of a bio-based leather alternative.

It is an innovative new material that is made with waste recovered from the fruit juice industry.

This innovative technology belongs to FRUMAT, an Italian company founded in 2008 by entrepreneur Hannes Parth. Born in Trentino-Alto Adige, the northern region of Italy widely known for its apple production, FRUMAT was developed in response to the local issue of apple-waste and the increasing demand for ecological alternatives to leather. The resulting cellulose-based material features a variety of textures, thicknesses, embossing, and laser prints. Versatile, customizable and easily produced, AppleSkin™ is used throughout the industry.

Nuuwaï is a fair fashion brand for bags made of vegan leather alternatives founded by Svenja Detto after she learned about apple leather by AppleSkin™ on the news. 

In case you were wondering how nuuwaï is actually pronounced, it's an art word derived from the English "new way": nuu-waï [n​u​u-​vaɪ̯]. 

They manufacture vegan products ethically in Europe, more precisely in Germany and Spain. This way, they also reduce delivery distances and enable a manufacturing process under fair conditions. Because how cruelty-free is a bag that is free of animal ingredients but produced under inhumane conditions? 

Their handbags, accessories and homeware are not the only fairly and sustainably produced, but all of their packaging materials are plastic-free and made from renewable resources. Plus, they ship their vegan bags in recycled and/or recyclable boxes. As a filling material they use grass paper and their hang tags are made from recycled paper, including coffee cups. These stylish bags will make you look good from the inside and out!

For exapmle, the neck bag KÏNE comes in four beautiful colors — tequila sunset, iced lavender, almond milk and pale blush — and can easily fit your mobile phone and other valuables. The adjustable and removable straps allow you to wear it as a neck bag, a cross body or use it as a mini pouch. Obviously, this bag is made of soft vegan AppleSkin™, while the interior lining is a fabric made out of plastic waste that was fished out of the ocean.

KRIS MÏKITA is an independent brand created by Cristina Cañellas specialized in the design of leather bags and accessories, with a modern style of minimalist and architectural inspiration. The brand was born in Barcelona with the purpose of creating exclusive genderless luxury designs at an affordable price and with a clear commitment to sustainability and responsible design.

KRIS MÏKITA intends to go beyond passing fads by creating unique and lasting products over time. They use top quality vegetable tanned leathers from AppleSkin™ to respect the environment and generate a natural finish for the leather and produces their products in Spain by working with the best artisans in the country under safe working conditions.