During its annual event, coinciding with the penultimate day of New York Fashion Week, Apple made an unexpected announcement. The tech giant declared its intention to cease the use of leather in all its accessories, encompassing items like watch straps and mobile phone cases.
As part of its commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2030, Apple introduced a novel textile called FineWoven, a non-animal fiber that will replace leather throughout its product lines.
In an official statement, Apple explained, “To further minimize our environmental impact, Apple is discontinuing the use of leather in all its product lines, including iPhone accessories and Apple Watch bands. Instead, the company will employ FineWoven, an elegant and durable twill crafted from 68 percent post-consumer recycled materials.”
Apple’s partnership with luxury brand Hermès, which produces exclusive watch straps, including leather ones, for Apple Watch, was not addressed in the statement. Apple’s Vice President for Environment, Lisa Jackson, emphasized, “Leather is a popular material for accessories, but it has a significant carbon footprint, especially on the scale of Apple. To reduce our environmental impact, we will no longer incorporate leather in any new Apple product, including watchbands.”
