One small step for man, one giant leap for apples as Tommy Hilfiger recently introduced two footwear styles made using recycled apple skin fiber.
The fruit’s skin fiber is a bio-based leather alternative derived from the apple farming industry’s waste.
The new releases, which are part of the brand’s spring 2020 collection, are available in white and navy colorways. The styles for men and women feature 24 percent recycled apple fiber on the upper.
The apple skin technology stems from the Tyrol region of northern Italy, an area known for its apple farming. Recognizing the opportunities offered by Tyrol’s booming apple production, Frumat—an Italian start-up—developed a new raw material that addresses both the waste issue and the fashion industry’s increasing demand for ecological leather alternatives.
Each footwear utilizes sturdy and thick recycled apple skin fiber with a lower environmental impact than other vegan leather alternatives, which typically contain high amounts of fossil-based materials.
According to the brand, the integration of apple skin fiber as a leather alternative builds on Tommy Hilfiger’s ongoing journey to create fashion that welcomes all and wastes nothing.
The spring 2020 apple skin fiber footwear styles are now available on tommy.com and in select Tommy Hilfiger stores and select retailers worldwide.