BACK TO THE ROOTS:
With natural materials and thousands of years old production processes
Why we rely on natural fibres and gentle processes.
For a long time now, it has been common knowledge that micro plastic in our oceans is a global problem of gigantic proportions, and is not only due to large pieces of plastic waste but largely also the textile industry. This is because with every wash cycle, clothes made from synthetic fibers such as polyester, nylon and acrylic release countless particles of fiber that are so tiny that they cannot be filtered by our sewage treatment plants and thus end up in the sea, where they will not decompose for hundreds of years.
We have been aware of this problem for a long time, which is why we rely predominantly on natural materials. In our winter collections especially, one natural fiber is particularly important: Wool.
Love for wool
Wool not only keeps the body warm but also has big advantages for the environment: it is easy to dye, which means that no heavily toxic substances are used for the dyeing process. It is also particularly resistant and durable. When it does finally reach the end of its life, it is biologically degradable. Probably the most sustainable wool comes from the Alpaca: this wool is 3 times more tear-resistant than sheep's wool – and it is no coincidence that during the Inca civilization in the Peruvian Andes, it was considered more important than gold.
Gentle leather treatments
Naturally, treating materials gently is also an important part of a sustainable philosophy: our belts, for example, are made exclusively from vegetable-tanned leather. This is leather that is produced with tannins of vegetable origin, such as oak bark, Tara husks, rhubarb roots, Mimosa bark or olive leaves. This process is significantly more expensive and tedious compared to tanning with chemical substances, but in compensation it is kinder for humans and the environment as there are no toxic residues in the leather.
Handmade in Italy
When it comes to workmanship, our welted leather shoes should also be mentioned: not only do they have a fine appearance, but they are also exceptionally durable. Shoes produced in this way are namely particularly easy to repair: if the sole becomes "worn down", it can be easily replaced, which means it is not necessary to thrown away the entire shoe. Therefore, if you take proper care of your Luis Trenker shoes, they will be life-long companions!
