‘Green’ suede for two major retailers
18/06/2008
A collection of “eco-friendly suede jackets” for women will go on sale in two major retail chains in August.
The jackets, made by New York-based Bernardo Fashions, is calling the new collection Bernardo Green, and the company has claimed that the green production process it has used has been “thoroughly verified and certified”.
The jackets will go on sale in select Nordstrom stores in the US and in Marks & Spencer stores in the UK in August.
“Many apparel manufacturers are talking about social responsibility,” said Stuart Pollack, founder of Bernardo Fashions, on announcing the development. “At Bernardo we are taking being green very seriously. Our green suede collection is [a] transparent eco-friendly suede fashion collection. With the assistance of our global partners, we have revolutionised the entire production chain creating totally green suede apparel that can be traced from field to finished product.”
The company insists on using hides that are purchased only from Hormel Foods, a company that breeds only US animals. Bernardo further claims that the treatment of these animals exceeds the standards laid down by the US Department of Agriculture.
Bernardo Green also uses biodegradable tanning agents, dyes, and finishes during the tanning process. The hides are tanned without heavy metals and with a system it says is “revolutionary” because it delivers fertiliser as a by-product.
The process is verified by the British Leather Council and IUV, the Slovenian tannery used by Bernardo, is certified by the Soil Association, a UK organisation that sets standards for marketing all organic products in the UK.
Bernardo also claims to have waste-free production. The water used in the tanning process is recycled in the tannery and is drinkable once it has passed through a state-of-the-art waste water treatment facility. Solid waste is made into organic fertiliser.
The jackets will be available in 21 colours in all.
Share this story:
