Latest news with #veganleather
CNN
9 hours ago
- Business
- CNN
These surprising materials are the future of furniture design
From chairs built with mushroom mycelium and vegan leather sofas to fabrics originating from seaweed, unexpected materials have been slowly making inroads into our homes. With the industry under pressure to become more sustainable, designers and manufacturers have turned to out-of-the-box alternatives to make products that have a circular lifespan (ie. furniture or other household items that can be re-used, composted and ultimately do not become garbage). The market for circular home and living will reach up to €45 billion in 2030 (around $51 billion), driven by sustainably produced furniture and home goods containing sustainable materials, according to McKinsey & Company, a management consulting firm. Earlier in the year, at Milan Design Week — a global event where new products are unveiled and trends are established — circularity and material innovation emerged as central themes. Design firm Particle, which has studios in New York and Los Angeles, debuted 'Parts of a Whole,' a collection of sculptural, Bauhaus-inspired dining room furniture made from repurposed textiles and denim, as well as a tablescape featuring 3D-printed candle holders and rubber accessories crafted from repurposed sneaker soles. Founded in 2020 by architects Krissy Harbert and Amanda Rawlings, the idea for Particle emerged while both were working on internal design projects at Nike, where they frequently experimented with industrial waste. 'We were using leftover materials — Nike has this Nike Grind rubber they use — and we started thinking about where and how else it could be applied,' Rawlings told CNN. Their work with upcycled furniture – particularly using sneaker waste – gained wider attention in 2023 with their 'I Got Your Back' chair and stools, made entirely from recycled footwear. 'Rubbers, plastics, footwear waste and recycled textiles hold vastly untapped potential. They are extremely versatile materials, which leaves space for a lot of different creative possibilities,' Rawlings said. 'Krissy and I are exploring how to extend their lifecycle — and doing it through homeware people genuinely want to live with.' Davide Balda, a multidisciplinary designer based in Milan shares a similar sentiment. During the festival, he presented 'Telare la Materia,' a project in collaboration with the Benetton Group that transformed unsold garments from the United Colors of Benetton's Green B line (designed to minimize chemical use in its fabrics) into new raw materials for architecture and design. One proposal in the project turns clay and textile waste into natural tiles and plaster. In another, traditional felt-making techniques are used to create a durable, flexible textile made from synthetic, animal, and plant-based fibers, for home furnishings. 'We're constantly asking ourselves: What does it mean to make something truly lasting in a throwaway world? And how can we design objects that don't become waste themselves?' Foteini Setaki, co-founder of the Dutch design firm, The New Raw 'Telare la Materia is an exploration into more sustainable ways to reduce the textile industry's environmental footprint and handle production waste locally,' Balda told CNN. 'Instead of exporting textile surplus to countries in Africa or South America — as is often the case — we can repurpose it into something meaningful and lasting.' For Balda, who identifies as an 'archeodesigner' — someone whose work centers on finding and creating new sustainable materials, and giving discarded ones new purpose — this approach isn't just a creative choice, but a moral imperative. 'I'm not interested in designing just another pretty lamp,' he said. 'Designers today need to challenge systems, rethink materials, and offer scalable, real-world solutions to issues like waste.' Meanwhile, The New Raw, a Rotterdam-based practice, unveiled a striking collection of outdoor furniture made entirely from recycled plastic sourced from local Dutch waste streams. The pieces are 3D-printed on demand. 'We're constantly asking ourselves: What does it mean to make something truly lasting in a throwaway world? And how can we design objects that don't become waste themselves?' one of the firm's co-founders Foteini Setaki said. 'Materials like the ones we use — but also biomaterials and other emerging alternatives — give us the tools to start answering those questions. They're not just about making things differently, but about reshaping the entire lifecycle of design.' This new approach must look good, too. 'Sustainable storytelling has to go hand-in-hand with beauty,' she said. 'It's important that people are (also) drawn to our products visually, not just because they're comfortable or align with their values.' Some design companies have explored the potential of plant-based materials. Chosen for their renewable nature, durability and biodegradability, they can be attractive alternatives to traditional materials such as wood or plastic. Polish studio Husarska unveiled their own dining set made from a new natural material, created in collaboration with 'The True Green,' which combines hemp and plant-based adhesives. Touted as a sustainable alternative to wood, hemp can sequester 15 to 25 tons of CO₂ per hectare annually — significantly more than temperate forests do in a year (they average 2 to 5 tons). Rockwell Group, a cross-disciplinary architecture and design practice founded by David Rockwell, made the humble cork the star of its exhibition 'Casa Cork' — a space crafted almost entirely out of the material, from the interiors to the furniture and lighting fixtures. The installation featured works by a wide-ranging group of designers, students, and hospitality professionals, each exploring a different creative use for cork. At its core was the mission of Cork Collective, a nonprofit initiative co-founded by the Rockwell Group that collects, recycles, and repurposes cork stoppers from restaurants and hotels across New York City. 'It's not a flashy material that turns heads… but cork is ripe for reinvention,' Rockwell explained over email. 'With Casa Cork, we wanted to create surprise and delight — turning something taken for granted into beautiful, functional objects.' Cork absorbs CO₂ and regenerates every nine years, making it inherently low-impact. And with an estimated 13 billion cork stoppers discarded each year, the material offers a vast — and largely untapped — opportunity for circular transformation. Other modest materials are also getting a second look. 'Enhance' — an exhibition curated by Italian design platform DesignWanted — challenged conventional ideas about what constitutes 'worthy' design matter by spotlighting material innovations aligned with seven key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) identified by the World Design Organization. The show featured a striking array of objects made from overlooked or discarded resources — think seashells, storm-felled wood, and un-recycled glass — each reimagined by designers into pieces that were as visually compelling as they were environmentally conscious. 'New materials are opening up different ways of what it means to design today,' said the curator Juan Torres. 'They reflect a mindset that sees design as a tool for responsibility — especially for the next generation.' None of this signals a total industry overhaul, Torres noted, at least not yet. Many of these solutions remain local, small-scale, and in the early stages of adoption. 'Big brands are paying attention, but they're still slow to act,' he said. 'The real change is coming from the ground up.' But while it might take a few more years to see them go fully mainstream, 'the shift is underway,' Torres said. 'And it's gaining speed.'
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Caylee Cowan Told To 'Shut Up' After Announcing Bold New PETA Campaign
Actress is lending her voice to animals in need. The 27-year-old star has teamed up with for the organization's latest campaign promoting vegan leather alternatives, even starring in a striking new billboard for the cause. Caylee Cowan recently spoke out about the campaign, revealing how her passion for animal welfare has only deepened thanks to her longtime boyfriend, actor . Caylee Cowan Joins PETA Campaign Cowan is turning fairytales into activism with her enchanting new PETA campaign, 'Redefine Leather: Pick Apple or Other Vegan Leather.' Dressed as a modern-day Snow White, the actress delivers a powerful message: compassion never goes out of style. Instead of poisoned apples and wicked queens, her storybook twist highlights a different kind of villain, the leather industry. 'Once upon a time, people believed that leather had to be made out of animals,' Cowan narrates in PETA's whimsical video, before exposing the harsh reality of deforestation, poisoned waterways, and the more than a billion animals killed annually for their skins. The campaign urges consumers to see vegan leather as the hero of this story, a way to protect cows, communities, and the planet. Cowan Says Vegan Leather Turns Apples Into Bags Cowan is proving that the future of fashion doesn't have to come at the cost of animal suffering. 'Pineapple, cactus, grapes, cork. It's an apple, now it's a bag! Sounds like magic, but it's real,' she declared, highlighting the cutting-edge materials that are reshaping wardrobes. Her PETA campaign was styled with accessories from eco-conscious brands leading the charge, including a sleek vegan bag from Miomojo. As one of PETA's Business Friends, the label is showing that sustainable, cruelty-free fashion isn't just a fantasy, it's already making waves in the industry. Cowan reminds fans that behind every animal skin is a life: cows who nurture their babies, sheep who form lifelong bonds, and countless others who deserve compassion. 'Choose vegan leather, and let animals live happily ever after,' she urges, echoing her fairytale-inspired message of kindness. Caylee Cowan Praises Casey Affleck's Animal Rescue Past But Faces Harsh Online Backlash Cowan, who has been vegan since her teenage years, says Affleck's love for animals matches her own. 'Casey's vegan. He's been vegan since I've known him,' she shared with The Daily Mail. Calling him 'such an animal lover,' she recalled how he once rescued a three-legged dog he found abandoned on the side of a train track. 'The dog would yap, the dog would like bark and bite and he just kind of took care of it,' she explained, noting his dedication. After Daily Mail's report went live, the 27-year-old faced an immense amount of backlash from the internet, including one user who told her to "shut up." "If Caylee Cowan wants to not wear animal products, or eat meat, or whatever, that's great for her," another said. "However, just because she has made poor choices doesn't mean that others should make those same bad decisions." Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, And PETA's Long History While Cowan now champions faux leather, two celebrities close to her circle, and her ex, , have both faced PETA's fury in the past. Back in 2002, Ben sparked backlash after buying Lopez a chinchilla coat. At the time, the actor apologized in a statement after the group's reprimand, 'You have opened my eyes to a particularly cruel and barbaric treatment of animals… I will not do anything in the future that supports it.' Asked about the fur controversy, Cowan admitted she wasn't aware of it but praised Lopez personally. 'I actually have met JLo, and she is so, so sweet,' she said, adding that the "Selena" star is 'thoughtful, kind, and generous.' Still, Cowan believes Lopez's star power could make a major impact if she chose to advocate against fur. 'If Jen made a change and said, 'I'm only gonna wear faux fur,' that would really trickle down to everybody,' she told the outlet. Contrasts With Bennifer 2.0 The conversation with The Daily Mail inevitably turned to Bennifer 2.0, who rekindled their romance in 2021, married in 2022, and split earlier this year. Cowan noted the irony of watching their relationship unfold alongside her own. 'I love them both, but I've been in a relationship with Casey while they got back together, married, and divorced… all within the span of my relationship,' she said. The actress credited the longevity of her relationship with Casey to keeping things grounded. 'I think having a grounded relationship is so important. That's what it's about,' she explained, noting that she and Affleck support each other with everyday tasks like household chores. Solve the daily Crossword
Daily Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Casey Affleck's girlfriend Caylee Cowan calls for stars like Jennifer Lopez to give up fur for PETA
Actress Caylee Cowan has revealed how Jennifer Lopez can take stand against animal fur. The 27-year-old actress is now the face of PETA's latest campaign advocating for vegan leather alternatives (even starring in a new billboard for the cause) - and in an exclusive interview with the Daily Mail, described how the megastar can advocate for the animal kingdom. 'I actually have met JLo, and she is so, so sweet,' Caylee, who is dating Jennifer's former brother-in-law Casey Affleck, 50, told the Daily Mail, adding the pop star, 56, 'is very thoughtful and kind and generous.' However, Caylee believes that Jennifer, a household name whose wardrobe has come under fire by PETA over the years, can use her voice to influence fashionistas into embracing a fur-free wardrobe. 'If Jen made a change and made a stance and said... "I'm only gonna wear a faux fur. I'm not gonna wear something that's made out of animal skin or animal's fur," then that would really trickle down to everybody,' Caylee said, who noted neither JLo and Ben, 53, are vegans. Bennifer 2.0 officially crumbled earlier this year, after reigniting their romance over a decade after their first go-around. Caylee has previously said she and Casey support one another by completing simple domestic tasks such as household chores - which she credits for the success of their relationship. The couple have been together since 2021, and Caylee acknowledged their appreciation for laid-back tasks was perhaps the reason she and Casey have outlasted the more glamorous Bennifer, who lived in a mega mansion during their marriage. 'I love them both, but, like, you know, I've been in a relationship with Casey while they got back together, married, and divorced...' she told the Daily Mail. 'All within the span of my relationship with Casey. So, you know, I think that having a grounded relationship is so important. Like, that's what it's about.' Casey met Caylee in January 2021 before they went Instagram official in November of that year. Bennifer, meanwhile, became linked again in April 2021. Jennifer and her ex Ben have both faced the wrath of PETA in the past, after the actor purchased his then-girlfriend a chinchilla coat in 2002, according to Vogue . 'You have opened my eyes to a particularly cruel and barbaric treatment of animals,' Ben said in response to PETA's reprimand at the time. 'I can assure you that I do not endorse such treatment and will not do anything in the future that supports it.' And while PETA is known for calling out celebrities who do wear fur, Caylee - who was unaware of the chinchilla controversy prior to this interview - feels it's necessary for the greater good. 'It comes from a good place. They just wanna make change, and I support that. You know? They're really radical. But if they're not radical, then they don't get people to listen. Jennifer has raised the ire of PETA multiple times, from her fur costumes in Hustlers to a feathered Versace cape at the Super Bowl that the designer later said consisted of 'ethically sourced' feathers. She has, however, worn faux fur outfits, and in 2022 a faux fur coat she wore to the iHeart Radio Awards was praised by the organization. In a statement hailing the fashion choice, PETA referenced her relationship with Ben and wished the couple a 'happy fur-free future.' 'Older, wiser … and kinder? In 2002, when Ben bought Jennifer a chinchilla coat, PETA wrote to him, and he said, "Never again." Twenty years later, the couple has reunited, and no animals have been killed for JLo's wardrobe because she's gone faux, for the animals' sake. We wish the couple a happy fur-free future together,' they said. A vegan since she was a teenager, Caylee feels passionately about the welfare of animals - and so does her boyfriend. 'Casey's vegan. He's been vegan since I've known him,' she said. Calling him 'such an animal lover', Caylee says her boyfriend has gone through great lengths to care for four-legged friends in need - even rescuing a three-legged dog he found on the side of a train track. 'He used to have a dog that had three legs that he rescued on the side of a train track,' she explained. 'The dog would yap, the dog would like bark and bite and he just kind of took care of it,' she said. Casey also spent an entire day tending to a somewhat ferocious pooch he found alongside the road. 'Sorry to gush... there was this dog that he found on the side of the road that was like tied up. And it was barking,' she said. 'And it had been left in the sun all day, and I came and Ubered to him.' 'He was there the whole day trying to get an animal service, like, company to come and pick up the dog and try to get him food and was spending his whole day just trying to take care of this dog that was almost gonna bite him. 'But he's like that all the time. He just has a really big heart,' she said. Their passion for animal rights also prompted them to both leave a hotel they had been set up in after discovering it had been decorated with taxidermy. 'I was in Spokane, Washington on a film set. The hotel that we had, me and Casey, we had to move because the hotel had stuffed animal heads, like, all over the place and like furs, real furs on the floor,' she said. 'And there's something energetically that I just I pick up from like a fur that's real, it kinda creeps me out. It actually kinda grosses me out. But I don't know if that's just because like, I'm not sure exactly why that I have that feeling, but it feels like there's an energy to something that I can pick up on.' Casey says balancing their busy lifestyles with their relationship is 'pretty easy.' 'We have a mutual understanding because we're like both actors,' she said. Caylee - whose credits include Frank and Penelope and The Instigators, a 2024 film starring her boyfriend and Matt Damon - will soon be appearing in another film, Hollywood Grit. And she also is putting on a traffic-stopping display in Los Angeles, where she appears on a new billboard promoting PETA's vegan leather campaign. The billboard, located by West Hollywood on Beverly Boulevard in between Harper and North Sweetzer avenues, sees Caylee clad in an opulent red floral gown as she sits beneath a tree adorned with red purses. She holds a juicy red apple in hand with a cow by her side. In a whimsical video done for the campaign, Caylee describes how fruit and plants can be transformed into faux leather. The concept for the video, Caylee believes, was inspired by the 'magic' of turning food into fashion. 'It feels like magical, like a magic trick to make a bag from an apple, but it's not that complicated,' she told Daily Mail. 'If it can be popularized in fashion, then it would make a huge difference on not only the environment, but for cows and farming,' she said. 'It is kind of magical, isn't it?'
Forbes
09-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Rick Ross Unveils The RR22 Collection, A Collaboration With Edition22
Rick Ross with Edition22 collection duffle bag as part of his RR22 Collection. edition22 Rick Ross is many things, a rapper, an entrepreneur, a cultural icon. Now, he is adding a luxury bag line with Edition22 to his long list of accomplishments. On Friday, he unveiled the RR22 Collection with the brand Edition22 at the G7 Rooftop in Fort Lauderdale, boasting vegan leather backpacks, duffle bags, sling bags, crossbody bags, and more. Embedded with the 'RR22' logo, the collection comes in various colorways, from black to baby blue, an olive green and an ochre yellow. The collection is rooted in giving back, as Edition22 has a Bag-4-Bag Initiative, where a backpack is donated to someone in need for every bag that is purchased. Edition22 is part of the Bugatti Collections, the parent company of luxury bags and luggage. A notable co-owner of Edition 22 is Etienne Boulay, a retired football player. HOLLYWOOD, FLORIDA - AUGUST 08: Rick Ross, Etienne Boulay, Andrew Hattem, James Raymond Hattem and guest attend RR22 Launch Event With Rick Ross at G7 Rooftop on August 08, 2025 in Hollywood, Florida. (Photo by) Getty Images 'From the beginning, it was a priority for us at Edition22, and for Rick Ross, that the RR22 Collection had a meaningful impact beyond just fashion,' said Andrew Hattem, President of Edition22 and CEO of The Bugatti Group. 'The Bag-for-Bag initiative reflects that shared commitment: for every bag sold, we donate a backpack to someone in need. It's about giving back, empowering kids, and making a difference.' Motivation is part of Ross' legacy in hip hop and entrepreneurship. He recently celebrated the 19-year anniversary of his debut album Port of Miami, which was released in 2006, signing a multi-million-dollar deal with Jay-Z on Def Jam Recordings. Rick Ross and Etienne Boulay pose for the RR22 X Rick Ross shoot for Edition22. edition22 In line with Ross' legacy, RR22 Collection bag has an inspirational quote inscribed on the brand labels. The quotes are chosen by Ross. From 'You can't hustle and sleep at the same time,' to 'I'm a boss, I don't follow trends, I set them' and 'The game is going to test you, never fold. Stay 10 toes down,' they encapsulate his legacy. When he isn't performing onstage, hosting parties or dishing business advice on Instagram, Ross is busy. His entrepreneurial empire includes Bumbu rum, Luc Belaire sparkling wine, Belaire champagne, the Maybach Music Group record label, which he founded in 2008, signing artists like Meek Mill, French Montana and Omarion, among others. He also founded Maybach Films. He invests in dental brand Smiles by Mario Montoya, Hempacco, Ewing Athletics and various restaurant franchises, Checkers and Rally's and Wingstop. Rick Ross poses with a RR22 bottle bag with a bottle of Belaire in it for Edition22. edition22 Why would he continue to expand his empire into a lifestyle brand collaboration with Edition22? ''Why wouldn't I' is the question,' said Ross. 'Let me tell you something; when you're in South Florida, this is the number one spot in the world for entrepreneurship. 95% of my businesses are launching South Florida Takeoff. When you have an opportunity to work with Bugatti Collections, Edition 22, it's too easy. They have the most amazing team. They've made history with other celebrities with collaborations they've done. Now we just finna take it our way. Let's take it to the real, to the streets.' He saw his rise in hip hop in a very different, pre-digital era. It's different now, with social media as a major player in a rapper's success. His advice for today's young artists is that 'Everything is possible.' Rick Ross poses with RR22 Collection items for Edition22. edition22 Ross explains: 'That's what I would have told myself as a young artist. Even when it looks the darkest, when it looks like you have no opportunity there, or you could be sitting there just wanting to be a songwriter and you wake up one day and you're in the studio with Rick Ross and Rihanna, Beyonce, Jay-Z, DJ Khaled, you have to be prepared for that. And once that opportunity presents itself, you got to accept that challenge and turn up.' Ross often talks on podcasts and social media about mediocrity and how artists can stand out from the crowd. Its about rising above it, having a vision and making a bold statement. 'Rising above mediocrity is too easy, really. You have to love what you're doing. And when you love what you're doing, you put everything into what you're doing. And when you put your everything into what you're doing, it's hard for somebody to touch you.'
Fox News
17-07-2025
- Business
- Fox News
These trending stackable jewelry organizers are the ultimate storage solution
Leave tangled necklaces and mismatched earrings in the past. Stackers (aka stackable jewelry boxes) are the ultimate jewelry storage solution. These trays transform cluttered collections into curated displays, giving each piece a place for safe-keeping. Find chic and efficient systems to store all of your fine jewelry and accessories. Build your jewelry storage system with a classic starter set. Made from vegan leather and lined with soft velvet, this kit looks pretty while sorting your rings, earrings and necklaces. You can add layers to expand storage as needed. A similar set of stackable jewelry trays is available on Amazon. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can get these items to your door ASAP. You can join or start a 30-day free trial to start your shopping today. As the name suggests, this ring and bracelet tray is the storage solution for your rings (including engagement rings) and bracelets. It features four compact compartments that accommodate a variety of jewelry pieces, a soft velvet lining that protects from scratches, and a modular design that can be stacked on top of other layers or put on display by itself. If you like this style of organizer, you might also consider this similar jewelry tray on Amazon, which houses each item in its own compartment and a lid. Original price: $69.99 This five-layer jewelry box is designed to hold different types of jewelry, from rings to necklaces. The drawers allow you to tuck away rings, bracelets, watches and earrings, while the hooks neatly and gently hang necklaces. If you don't need as much space, consider this two-layer version. This three-tier box features a lockable design to keep valuables safe. It features velvet-lined compartments to prevent scratches or tarnishing, and multiple layers provide space to lay everything out nicely. Don't forget to pick up some jewelry cleaner to keep all your valuables sparkly and shiny. Original price: $32.99 Ideal for those seeking customizable storage, this five-layer tray box organizes your jewelry by type or frequency of use. The clear design allows you to see what's inside and the boxes tidily stack on top of each other. Check out this five-drawer acrylic jewelry box for another clear option. This compact box from Stackers keeps valuables organized while you're on the go. It's small enough to be stashed in a handbag or gym bag, and its zippered closure ensures your items remain secure.A similar option, this layered mini case on Amazon houses two layers of rings, earrings and other small items. Have a lot of necklaces? This zippered jewelry case is for you. Its thoughtful layout includes a pull-out necklace holder that ensures your chains remain untangled during travel. Additional compartments cater to rings and earrings, making this box a comprehensive solution for your accessories. If you prefer one that folds up instead, consider this 16-chain holder. The Stackers watch and accessory box offers men a stylish and practical solution for storing accessories. The zipper ensures effortless access, while the interior watch roll safeguards your watches from scratches and dust. A divided tray keeps cufflinks and rings neatly organized, too. If you'd prefer to have all your items out in the open so you can grab and go, then check out this wooden tray with leather lining. For more deals, visit This jewelry holder contains four round stackable acrylic sections, each designed to accommodate different types of jewelry. The entire piece can be rotated to allow a clear view of its contents. Consider this similar option from The Container Store, where each section swivels out so you can take what you need and go.
