Leather
Leather, a soon-to-be
obsolete material ?
Since launching the VEJA project, we've been working our way back up the leather production chain and focusing on two major ways of improving it: traceability and chemical transparency. We know where it comes from and what's in it.
We track our leather to make sure it doesn't come from the Amazon nor from an area that was deforested for cattle farming purposes. The leather we use comes from southern Brazil.
Tanning is the most delicate step. That's why we work with a tannery that was audited and certified Gold by the Leather Working Group. This tannery uses chrome. While inoffensive and present in nature, it can oxidize and become toxic if all parameters aren't followed to a tee.
To ensure the chrome doesn't turn into the toxic chrome VI, we perfom random checks all years long to monitor the level of chrome in our leathers. They meet REACH standards.
1 VEJA model out of 4
is 100% vegan.
Out of the 81 models included in the 2018 collection,
20 do not contain any animal products.
What is vegetable tanning, exactly?
Drying the hides after tanning. Porto Alegre, 2011
© Cédric Amiot
From 2008 to 2015, 100% VEJA leather was vegetable-tanned leather.
Since 2015, the prohibitive costs and quality level have convinced us to turn back.
Now, vegetable tanning is used on 10% of VEJA models. All of our leathers are now tested and meet REACH standards; REACH, they do not contain any chrome VI.
Tannery Porto Alegre, 2013
© Photo Studio VEJA
WATA Suede Camel
Suede is actually the reverse side of the leather, which is sanded or scrubbed to make it soft and suppleLookbook Fall-Winter 2017
© Vincent Desailly
Upcycling :
Making the case for fish leather
Since 2013, we've been using fish leather in several of our styles.
This leather is made from Tilapia hides that come from freshwater fish farms. Since they are usually thrown away, we are therefore transforming waste into a luxury material using a completely handcrafted process.
Every pair made with Tilapia is unique and vegetable tanning is used exclusively.
© Studio VEJA