Fish Leather
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What is Fish Leather?
Sustainable Fish Leather is made from the skins of non-endangered fish species. It’s a type of leather that is made from the skin of fish, such as salmon. The skin is cleaned, tanned, and treated to produce a soft, flexible, and durable leather material.
How can it be used?
Fish leather is an emerging material in the fashion industry, offering various benefits over traditional leather. It can be used in a wide range of styles, from waterproof outerwear to unique-looking accessories and jewellery. It’s also incredibly lightweight, durable, hypoallergenic and breathable.
Does it smell?
No. The fish smell we all recognise actually comes from a fatty layer of the meat, which is carefully separated and completely removed. The leather scent comes from a tanning substance which has been described in some cases, as “like a willow tree”. Additionally, some fish leathers are tanned using natural materials like oak bark, which is less harmful to the environment than traditional chemical tanning methods.
Is is sustainable?
Fish skins are a byproduct of the fishing industry and would otherwise be discarded. Fish leather helps to reduce waste and contributes to a more circular economy. Another example is the lionfish - a threat to biodiversity in some areas, the fish are hunted for population control and as a result, the entire fish will be used for food and leather production.
Designers using Fish leather.
Kristian Eddé is a designer and entrepreneur who is known for his work in the field of sustainable and ethical fashion. He is the founder of Eddé Sands, a company that creates high-end, sustainable, and environmentally friendly products, including fish skin leather footwear. Eddé Sands uses locally sourced, sustainable materials and environmentally friendly production methods.
Hannah Altmann is a Danish fashion designer using fish leather to make a statement. Hannah is best known for her signature collection - PEARL de ORO – “a playful and colourful accessory collection to contrast scandinavia's more stylistically pure known looks”.
- Daughter of Jón was founded by Hedi Jónsdóttir in 2013 with the premise to design contemporary accessories with a modern aesthetic that are sustainable. Daughter of Jón produces all bags in the UK and Europe under fair working conditions and every piece is handmade. The fish leather used in most of DOJ’s collections is sourced from a small town on the north coast of Iceland.
