A Cardiff-based start-up firm has launched a range of vegan leather handbags made from pineapple leaves. Fashion brand Dozi Imp produces handbags made from Piñatex, a natural textile developed from waste pineapple leaves made by UK manufacturer Ananas Anam.
"Initially we weren't using Piñatex, we were using another vegan leather made from coconut waste," said director Shivam Mishra.
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"It was sustainable but the problem was the leather was very hard and not really a suitable material for handbags. So we decided to switch and the company that makes Piñatex is based in the UK so it made sense to use that."
Mr Mishra began the business venture in 2020 with Royal College of Art graduate Charlotte Desascoyne after completing his postgraduate degree in business strategy and entrepreneurship at Cardiff University.
The pair received a start-up grant of £2,000 from Business Wales to set up the brand and develop the initial collection.
With retail prices ranging from £1,000 up to £1,800 per handbag, the start-up is pitching itself at the luxury retail market with hopes of supplying boutique hotels and high-end London retailers such as Selfridges and Liberty although no stockists have been confirmed.
While made from sustainable faux leather, the handbags also feature an elaborate embroidery known as Zardozi.
The technique is a traditional skill which originated from the city of Lucknow in India and is made by using gold and silver metallic threads woven on fabric. It was used on palace furnishings in India during the 18th and 19th centuries.
"I'm originally from Lucknow in India and the artwork we are using is intellectual property from Lucknow. We're using that because it is a really unique heritage artwork which makes the product completely different," says Mr Mishra.
Although still in its infancy and yet to secure any orders, the business is now eyeing London Fashion Week in September as the event to kickstart its high-end luxury brand.
"It's made to order and we are aiming for orders. This is really the starting page because it's only been a month since we launched," he says. "Now we're aiming for London Fashion Week in September. We're hoping to get some orders so we can start making them in the UK."
"We are now approaching retailers and boutique hotels and when they order it we are going to make it here in the UK."
The first range of handbags were made in Delhi as it wasn't possible to get the pieces made in the UK during the pandemic, says Mr Mishra, but now the business is looking to manufacture the handbags in the UK once orders start coming in.
Although no plans have been confirmed yet, Mr Mishra says he is looking at factories in Wales to manufacture the handbags.
"Eventually we want to hire staff and have an in-house team producing the handbags," he says.
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