The humble banana seems a very versatile plant. You can cook the blossom part and it kind of tastes like cod. Or even season and fry the skin so it apparently has a texture like bacon.
But would you wear it on your feet?
H&M thinks you might. It has unveiled the first fruits (ouch) of its collaboration with British footwear company Good News to deliver sustainable trainers that use plant-based material (not just banana but grape too) and are simple to recycle.
According to the duo Bananatex is a durable, waterproof fibre obtained from bananas. Meanwhile, Vegea is a vegan grape leather alternative harvested from the fruits’ waste.
The collection comprises seven pairs of trainers and one pair of sliders. In addition to the uppers being plant-based, the shoes have recycled thermoplastic rubber soles and recycled cotton as well as organic cotton and Bloom Algae EVA. The range will go on sale on H&M’s website and in selected H&M stores in the UK. The shoes will also be available in the US, Canada and Scandinavia later in the month.
There’s no details on price, but the Good News range typically sells for around £100.
H&M’s David Söderlund, said that working with Good News was both positive and energetic. “Their creativity and drive for change inspired our team. We joined forces to become better together. The collection is a bright and colourful contrast to a grey and uncertain world. I love the colours and the innovative materials.”
The co-founder of Good News, Nia Jones, said: “We are very proud to be collaborating with H&M, pushing one of the giants to look at every component of a shoe.”
“Hopefully we can inspire action and change for other brands. We all need to work alongside each other to help create a positive change. The world needs unity right now rather than competing against each other,” concluded Ben Tattersall, co-founder of Good News.
