Hugo Boss Takes Pineapple Leather Mainstream

The cruelty-free leather revolution has arrived! Internationally renowned fashion house Hugo Boss has responded to the growing enthusiasm surrounding ethical fashion with the release of its BOSS Menswear sneakers crafted from pineapple leather.

The material, known as Piñatex, is “an innovative leather-alternative created from pineapple leaf fibres”. The leaves are a by-product of the pineapple harvest, and no other resources are needed to produce the material, which means that farmers receive an additional source of income. Unlike animal leather, Piñatex is also cruelty-free and environmentally friendly. Available in four colours, the shoes are part of Hugo Boss’ commitment to using more sustainable materials.

More than 1 billion animals are killed worldwide for the leather industry every single year, from cows and calves to horses, lambs, goats, and pigs – and even dogs and cats. Investigations into the global skins trade have revealed that animals endure horrific abuse and that many are even skinned alive.

Fur is already being phased out by major designers, including Gucci, Versace, Donna Karan, and Michael Kors, and it looks like leather will be the next to go as forward-thinking brands choose to break boundaries without harming animals. This new pineapple leather footwear collection is the first of its kind to be released by a mass-market retailer, and it sends a message to all designers that leather really is dead.