Stella McCartney has introduced a groundbreaking advancement in luxury handbag production with the release of its Falabella and Frayme bags, now crafted from the innovative vegan material called Mirum. This marks a significant milestone as these handbags become the world’s inaugural luxury accessories to be fashioned from this pioneering, plastic-free substance developed by Natural Fibre Welding (NFW).
Mirum stands out due to its composition, which relies on plant-based, entirely natural constituents. Notably, it stands as the first material of its kind to possess both 100% recyclability and circularity, as Stella McCartney herself explains, describing it as a substance “capable of being safely returned to Mother Earth as nutrients once its lifecycle concludes.”
This revolutionary material, Mirum, is the outcome of a meticulously orchestrated three-stage process. The process employs bioneutral, certified bio-based components like natural rubber, plant-derived fibres, botanical oils, and pigments such as biochar and rust. Remarkably, this manufacturing approach is devoid of plastics, and it necessitates no tanning procedures or additional water input, thus averting the creation of wastewater. Additionally, the production of Mirum carries a substantially diminished carbon footprint when juxtaposed with conventional options derived from animals or synthetics. Notably, it generates only 0.8-2.1 CO2e per square meter, as substantiated by a Life Cycle Assessment study commissioned by NFW. In contrast, petroleum-based leather alternatives result in 7-15.8 kg CO2e emissions.
The end product of this intricate process is described as pliable and robust, effortlessly cleanable, and fully water-resistant.
Stella McCartney enthusiastically unveiled a preview of these Mirum-crafted bags at her winter 2023 showcase, emphasising that this gesture serves as both a celebration of the bond between humans and animals and a call to action to champion our planet’s cause. She envisions a future in which a plant-based substitute for leather thrives—one that spares animals and offers a sustainable afterlife in the embrace of Mother Earth. This innovative step does not compromise on desirability or durability, signifying the advent of a new era in fashion.
The company’s decision to champion Mirum stems from concerning figures presented by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). According to these figures, the year 2020 saw the utilisation of 1.4 billion animal hides and skins in global leather production. Conventional tanning processes involved toxic chemicals and emissions of gases like chromium IV, which pose threats to both water systems and workers’ health. Beyond these immediate concerns, the leather industry’s practices contribute to environmental harm, encompassing land degradation. In particular, cattle farming for leather and beef has led to 80% of the Amazon rainforest’s deforestation, impacting vital carbon sequestration and biodiversity, as corroborated by the WWF.
