Maisie Williams is in the accessories game. The Game of Thrones star has released a range of apple leather bags with French designer Coperni.
Williams’ vegan collection is a sustainable reimagining of the brand’s signature oval Swipe Bags, which it usually makes with leather. But for the new designs, released last month in standard and mini cross-body styles, the brand has opted for apple skin. While Coperni hasn’t confirmed who is supplying the apple leather, it has confirmed it is sourcing from Italy, where a company called Frumat makes plant-based leather using leftover apples from the juice industry.
Keeping with the fruit theme, the bags come complete with mini pins to accessorize, inspired by fruit label stickers.
Announcing the partnership last month, Williams wrote on Instagram: “I have loved making this collaboration with Coperni. I hope you love the bags and I hope this pushes more people to both shop and produce with materials that contribute towards a more sustainable future.”
The actor is passionate about environmental issues, and frequently uses her social media to talk about the climate crisis. Earlier this year, she attended COP26 and spoke with David Attenborough, as well as Indigenous activists. And in April, she announced her role as H&M’s Global Sustainability Ambassador on Instagram. “I will be working closely with experts within H&M to drive their sustainability initiatives and shape the path towards an accessible and circular fashion future,” she stated.
Swapping leather for plants
While fashion brands rely heavily on animal-derived leather to make accessories and clothing, the material has a detrimental impact on the environment. A recent report linked several mainstream brands, including H&M, with Amazon deforestation. And the industry also contributes to water pollution (especially during the toxic tanning process) and land degradation.
But plants offer a far more sustainable alternative, and more brands are choosing to eschew leather in their favor. Karl Lagerfield launched cactus leather bags back in April, Adidas used mushrooms to create a new version of its Stan Smith sneakers, and Nike used pineapples in its Happy Pineapple collection. And some brands have gone even further. Ganni announced recently it would be banning leather completely. Instead, the Danish label is partnering with Bolt Threads on a mushroom leather collection.
Williams’ apple-based collection is available now from Coperni’s website.
