M_MAT, our alternatives to leather
We decided to offer a new approach to luxury leather goods, as qualitative and durable but much more sustainable.
We only select innovative materials which meet strict specifications: to offer an exceptional sensory experience, to prove as strong and resistant as leather and to have the lowest possible impact on our planet.
The materials that meet our criteria and can be used for our products all share the name “M_MAT”.
M_MAT_Cactus
The "M_MAT_cactus", the first material we selected in 2021, is a low-impact bio-based alternative to leather made from Mexican cactus.
Selecting a material coming all the way from Mexico might be surprising, because of the distance that separates our workshops in France from its place of production, but in fact its environmental impact is so much lower than that of leather that it is still a very legitimate choice.
Our M_MAT_cactus is made from Nopal cactus by Mexican company Adriano di Marti. Fully integrated into the local flora, this cactus is grown according to organic farming methods and without resorting to irrigation. Nopal is also an exceptional CO2 trap, which allows Adriano di Marti's crops to have a clearly-positive carbon footprint.
Whether it be energy consumption, water consumption or greenhouse gases emission, Desserto shows significantly-lower needs and as a result a much better impact on our environment compared to leather. And there is no longer any question of cruelty to animals.
Access Adriano di Marti’s environmental performance data here.
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M_MAT_mycelium
The M_MAT_mycelium is our second vegan innovation, released in October 2023 after 18 months of development with our European partner MycaNova.
The M_MAT_mycelium is made in Italy by MycaNova, with mycelium grown in Belgium from a double upcycling process, which gives it a very low impact on the environment.
This mycelium is combined by MycaNova with a recycled nylon fabric, using mostly bio-based binding agents, to produce a biomaterial with a carbon footprint even lower that M_MAT_cactus.
Discover the story behind M_MAT_mycelium here.
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M_MAT_biofabbrica
The M_MAT_biofabbrica is our latest innovation, launched in partnership with Modern Meadow, an American bio-innovation company, and Limonta, an Italian leader in luxury fabric manufacturing.
Made from bio-based proteins, polymers and microfiber fabric, this versatile biomaterial offers an amazing sensory experience and a large field of applications for MAES Paris.
Thanks to its innovative concept based on bio-based proteins, polymers and microfiber fabric, The M_MAT_biofabbrica delivers an impact on the environment much lower than traditional chrome-tanned leather, with a reduction of 91% of greenhouse gas emissions, 83% of water consumption and 75% of non-renewable energy consumption (source: Modern Meadow).
Discover more on Modern Meadow's bio-innovation here.
Committed to be better
The alternatives to leather we use reflect our commitment to innovate and offer better ways for our planet.
Many factors must be factored in to determine the impact on the environment and perform a full lifecycle analysis (LCA).
We decided to keep 3 criteria we consider as the most critical: emissions of greenhouse gases for their contribution to global warming, water consumption for this resource is becoming rarer and rarer, and eutrophication for its growing deadly impact on aquatic life and the threat it poses to our ecosystems at large.
(data extracted from LCA analysis performed by our partners - link to information shared above)
BEAUTY MADE TO LAST
We only put the most durable high-quality materials in the hands of our artisans.
All our vegan materials are tested by an independent laboratory under the most demanding criteria (ISO or French standards), the very same standards and tests used by the leather goods industry.
These tests allow us to control the physical properties of our materials (such as traction and tearing resistance, abrasion, flexibility) and consequently to ensure their ability to withstand the test of time.
We compared the results of our biomaterials with those of luxury-grade leather and it confirmed that our biomaterials easily bear comparison with the most precious leathers in terms of performance and durability.
GOING FURTHER
To reduce the impact of a bag, one must not just care about the main material. All the elements used to craft a piece must be considered.
We always favor solutions of the highest quality with the lowest impact.
Our threads, stiffeners and even zipper ribbons are made with recycled materials.
Our linings, when not made directly with our M_MAT materials, are made with organic-cotton fabric or innovative fabrics including significant percentages of bio-based components.
We focus all our energy on constantly identifying new solutions and continuing to reduce the impact of our products.
UPCYCLED LEATHER
Vegan innovation is at the core of MAES Paris' DNA, to reduce more and more our impact on the environment.
But our commitment on sustainability has also led us to consider the issue of circularity and upcycling already-produced materials.
5% to 20% of the materials produced for luxury fashion end up in dead stocks because of over-purchasing, discontinued collections or products cancelled before even being launched...
In the end some exceptional leather, already produced, is unused and ends up in landfills or even destroyed. And at the same time new leather is being produced every day, with a significant impact on the environment.
We refuse to see such noble materials, simply waiting in some brands' or tanneries' warehouse, be destroyed.
Found in the deadstocks of other luxury brands or renowned European tanneries, the leather we use is only available in very limited quantity.
We craft exclusive series of just a few units, sometimes even unique creations, depending on the quantity proposed by our partners. In any case we are never requiring new leather to be produced, we only use already-produced unused materials.
Available in many different finishes and colours, our upcycled leather is an incredible source of creative inspiration to offer circular, elegant and spirited creations.
(photo credits : Adapta Paris)
