Real leather is real sustainability.

As Michael Burke, Louis Vuitton CEO, says in his interview with Business of Fashion, “It was one of the great advances of mankind, when mankind discovered how to render a waste product, hides, into something that is imminently sustainable and durable, can last 100, 200 years: leather.”

Leather is one of the oldest products and it is a by-product of the meat industry. If this by-product were not converted into leather, it would be thrown into a landfill which is a significant environmental risk. Leather as a raw material is renewable, long-lasting and repairable, and developing real leather products is inherently sustainable — in comparison to leather alternatives that tend to contain plastics, PU content, and are made using a ton of chemical substances which is in turn worse for the environment.

Real leather and leather manufacturing is one of the oldest businesses and has also immensely helped in creating employment + sustaining businesses of all sizes.

At the Misnomer HQ, we are manufacturing products in a highly certified production unit that keeps all social and ecological aspects in check. We use leather responsibly from tanneries that adhere to the gold (and silver) standard set by the LWG (aka Leather Working Group) which is an organization that promotes sustainable environmental practices within the leather industry and verifies that we're using sustainable practices in our leather production. We currently use chromium sulphate-free tanned leathers and vegetable-tanned leathers as well from tanneries that recycle and purify wastewater. So even the biggest animal lovers can feel good about buying our investment-worthy leather jackets & bags!

Is real leather environment-friendly and sustainable? The simple answer is ‘yes’. Longevity is the best form of sustainability, and we combine timeless design with thoughtful construction to create pieces that you will reach for year after year and even pass down to the next generation.  

In 2023, we’ve introduced organic cotton which is OCS certified at our manufacturing unit and are using it to even line a lot of our pieces — since organic cotton offers an alternative model for more sustainable, regenerative cotton production that supports both farmers & the environment. It is basically cotton grown in agricultural systems that work with nature, rather than against it, by eliminating the use of synthetic pesticides & GMO seeds.

Fun fact: organic cotton currently accounts for less than 1% of total global cotton production. And here at the Misnomer HQ, we want to scale that in whatever small way possible to support farmers since organic production brings them financial benefits as they receive higher market prices for their cotton, while also bringing positive impacts to their land.

Organic farming systems have the potential to sustain and promote the health of soils, ecosystems, and people by relying on ecological processes, biodiversity, and cycles that are adapted to local conditions rather than using external inputs that could have adverse effects. It can also be part of the solution to the threat of climate change, through its ability to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, store away huge amounts of carbon, and enable farmers to be resilient in an evolving climate.

For S/S 2024, we’ve introduced natural raffia as part of our sustainability initiative.

Raffia is a natural fibre derived from the leaves of palm trees, which is native to tropical regions in Madagascar and parts of Asia & Africa. It is 100% biodegradable and compostable, and fun fact: if disposed off properly, raffia breaks down and returns back to the earth in a matter of months.

We work with natural, light & airy raffia which requires no pesticides or herbicides to grow, and we use an intricate weaving technique at our HQ which highlights the organic texture and earthy tones of the raffia. 

If you're packing your suitcase or just gearing up for summer in the city, click here for the best raffia pieces to add to your cart. Think kicking back on the beach with an oversized sun-hat or heading to the pool with an influencer favourite bag. Sound good? Thought so. 

Most of our linings for our real leather jackets are made using RCS Recycled Polyester.

The Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) label guarantees traceability of recycled raw materials, and provides assurance that the materials are actually recycled and processed more sustainably, and have a smaller carbon footprint than traditional polyester.

As part of our sustainable initiative, we are also using cotton fabric with the Better Cotton Standard to champion and embed sustainability in cotton production. In just over 10 years, Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) has become the world’s largest cotton sustainability programme and they aim to help cotton communities survive and thrive, while protecting and restoring the environment. Better Cotton is better for smallholders who can use the knowledge, support and resources BCI provides to grow cotton more sustainably. Improving soil health, water management, greenhouse gas emissions and climate resilience. It is also better for farm workers who benefit from improved working conditions and a higher standard of living and for farming communities where women become more empowered — making it good for people and the planet.

Better Cotton isn’t just a commodity, it’s a movement.