The scaly skin of salmons have used to make stylish swim suites. It sounds crazy, but Claudia Escobar invented these sustainable fashion suits in 2003. Let’s have a look at how these Salmon Skin Swimsuits are created by scaly skin and how they will affect the future.
Image source : STUFF
Do you know what happens to the salmon skin after the fish is processed? Usually, it’s discarded or turned into chicken feed. But now, thanks to the skill of Chilean fashion designer Claudia Escobar, it’s being transformed into luxurious swimwear and clothing.
Escobar spent four years working with specialist laboratories and tanners in Uruguay and Chile to develop this unique material. This discarded salmon skin, when tanned and dyed, becomes a material known as “sea leather.” It’s soft, smooth, lightweight, and naturally elastic, making it perfect for swimsuits that won’t sag after a dip in the water.
“very durable, versatile skin. It is anti-scratch, anti-tear, very lightweight and even if you’re swimming, you can come out of the water and it won’t sag because it has a lot of natural elastic. It suits the salmon and it suits humans.”
Claudia Escobar
From Trash to Treasure
One of the important things about these fish-skin bikinis is their environmental impact. By using a material that would otherwise be thrown away, these swimsuits help reduce waste. This fits perfectly into the idea of a circular economy, where waste materials are repurposed into valuable products. This “sea leather” is not just a fashion statement; it’s a step towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly fashion industry.
Social Impact
Claudia Escobar isn’t just making a fashion statement; she’s making a social impact, too. By using local, traditional materials and transforming them into luxury items, she is creating jobs and empowering women. Escobar believes that fashion can be a tool to help women overcome poverty. With almost zero overhead, workers receive half the sale value of the products, making this initiative a win for both the environment and the local community.
Luxury Twist
These fish-skin bikinis are already making waves in the fashion world, with some designs fetching high-end prices. For example, Escobar’s Lycra-trimmed, ultra-mini salmon-skin bikini sells for almost £250, sandals for £90, mini-skirts for £120, and jeans with ‘tail end’ hems for about £700. Imagine swimming alongside the fishes while literally wearing their skin, however, the availability of these unique swimsuits is currently uncertain.
Conclusion
Fish leather could be the future of sustainable fashion. It opens up possibilities for other unexpected materials to be used in clothing. Who knows what other waste products might be turned into high-value fashion items next? This innovation in fashion might be the beginning of a new era where sustainability and style go hand in hand.
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