Having a pineapple second: Studio Beej’s latest launch with Piñatex

As the world celebrates International Pineapple Day tomorrow, Mumbai-based Studio Beej is all set to launch Ananas, a clutch fabricated from Piñatex. A contemporary tackle their night clutch, Ditya, the brand new handmade variant is geared toward popularising the bio-textile constructed from the leaves of the pineapple plant. Globally, it’s utilized by manufacturers comparable to H&M, Paul Smith, and Hugo Boss.

This is just not the Studio’s first experiment with Piñatex. Last yr, they used it in a cross physique bag (Laya), a hobo bag (Ananta), and Ditya. With these choices, the model joins the listing of worldwide names like Chanel, H&M, Hugo Boss, and Nike — who just lately launched the seven-sneaker Happy Pineapple Collection — that work with the plant-based various to leather-based.

The startup launched in 2020 is the brainchild of Arundhati Kumar, who believes that being sustainable should transcend being simply eco-friendly. “There are other companies in India who are working with eco materials such as Arture [cork, Desserto or cactus leather], Aulive [Piñatex, cork], but we are the only company that dabbles in multiple sustainable materials. We were the first to bring cactus leather into the country,” says Kumar, whose line of wallets, clutches, baggage, belts, laptop computer sleeves fabricated from bio-based-materials marry the aesthetic of Indian craft with the moral practices of aware dwelling. “We currently work with four main materials — cork from Portugal, Piñatex from Spanish company Ananas Anam [which sources from the Philippines], Desserto from Mexico, and Khesh from West Bengal.”

Cork is the bark of the tree which is harvested responsibly each 9 years, explains Kumar, including that it’s gentle as a result of one-third of its mobile construction is air. “So a big bag, unlike one made of leather, will never weigh you down. It’s completely recyclable and comes with cotton backing. It’s also naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial.” While earlier baggage have been designed by her, the brand new launch has been crafted by their inventive director, Abhijit Datta.

Recycled zippers and handloom linings

Kumar goes on to clarify how Desserto is vegan leather-based derived from the Nopal Cactus of Mexico, and Khesh is constructed from outdated cotton saris torn into skinny strips and re-woven to make a vibrant material. “When we curate a product, while we do look at the hero material, we also try to minimise the impact of the accessories we use.” Bag linings are sourced from Bengaluru-based Khaloom, which creates handloom materials from recycled yarn, and sometimes upcycled materials from discarded umbrellas can be used. Zippers come from Japanese firm YKK which makes them from recycled PET plastic, and logos are embroidered. “We live in a time when customers want transparency. We put out supplier and certification details on our website so they can decide whether the product fits into their conscious buying mode,” says Kumar, including that their supply packaging is fabricated from jute and recyclable cardboard.

Now exploring

While these supplies are the core of Studio Beej, she speaks of two different cutting-edge supplies she’s at present exploring: Malai from Kerala, constructed from coconut waste, and Mirum from the US that mixes pure fibres like corn and rice husk with rubber waste. While Kumar is eager on utilizing homegrown supplies, she says not a lot R&D is occurring in India. So, will the worlds of luxurious and sustainability meet simply? “Sustainable is going to be the new luxury. Luxury is going the conscious way. From Hermes to Fossil, and Nike, every brand is working on such materials,” she concludes.

Products are priced between ₹850 and ₹14,500. studiobeej.com