Covalent, a new direct-to-consumer fashion brand is offering a palliative response to the silent, yet sizable impact fashion has upon the environment annually with a thirty-five piece collection. After a decade of research, the company has announced the utilization of a proprietary technology called AirCarbon – a biotechnological process created as the “world’s first regenerative, carbon-negative” manufacturing system applied across the company’s entire line of modern luxury accessories.
As the name implies, AirCarbon Leather was developed to offer a similar grain and smooth, matte tactile feel of genuine leather, but with reduced impact upon the environment, highly suitable for tech accessories like laptop and phone sleeves.
Covalent modeled AirCarbon after the natural energy process found occurring in the ocean where marine microorganisms use air and carbon extracted from greenhouse gas. Covalent uses the biomimetic technology to produce carbon-negative, regenerative materials with the appearance of leather and acetate, materials that can be melted into fiber, shapes and sheet products to create eyewear and fashion accessories where leather is traditionally used.
AirCarbon is used by Covalent to make laptop sleeves, wallets, sunglasses, totes and handbags offering similar texture and durability of its counterparts, with a clean minimalist aesthetic that pairs well with laptops and mobile devices or as stand alone wallets or handbags.
While greenwashing paired with vague proclamations of environmentally-friendly intent is par for the course, Covalent has made efforts to make their carbon impact as transparent and traceable as possible, disclosing each of their products exact carbon footprint, as verified through life cycle assessments created by third-party carbon accounting firms available for review. Most consumers are unlikely to follow the sourcing trail to this extent, but Covalent’s efforts are a laudable example of disclosure.
We think that to help empower change in the fashion industry, consumers should have actionable information about the carbon impact of the products they use.
-Newlight CEO Mark Herrema
Covalent’s AirCarbon acetate replacement (AirCarbon Resin) is lightweight and has a naturally matte texture ideal for eyewear.
Covalent AirCarbon Leather goods are produced locally in Southern California, while Covalent eyewear is manufactured in Italy, both using the same meticulous attention to detail as traditional luxury fashion houses. Covalent’s first collection is comprised of thirty-five essentials and are available at covalentfashion.com.
This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!
