Apple Goes Leather-Free; Keeps Hermès Woven Straps in Latest Collaboration
Sept. 14, 2023 in Fashion & Style by Julian Everett
In a surprising announcement at their recent product unveiling, Apple has made a bold commitment to sustainability by going leather-free across all their product lines. While many were expecting updates on the coveted Hermès straps for the Apple Watch, what they got instead was a focus on woven straps in the latest collaboration between Apple and the luxury fashion house.
While Apple is making strides towards a more eco-conscious future, Hermès seems to be sticking to its roots. The brand has continued to offer leather straps for the new Apple Watch Series 9, available for pre-order on the Hermès website. These luxurious leather straps are made from the brand's signature Barenia leather and are fully compatible with the Apple Watch Series 9's new gesture control feature.
The juxtaposition of Apple's eco-friendly approach and Hermès's traditional luxury makes for an intriguing dynamic in this ongoing collaboration. It raises questions about how brands with differing sustainability agendas can work together in a mutually beneficial way.
Apple's decision to go leather-free signals a significant shift in the company's focus towards more sustainable materials, a move that is increasingly important to today's consumers. Meanwhile, Hermès continues to offer the timeless elegance that its customers expect, albeit with a touch of modern technology in the form of gesture controls.
The woven straps from the Apple-Hermès collaboration are expected to become highly coveted items, blending high-tech innovation with high-fashion craftsmanship. However, it remains to be seen how the diverging philosophies on material use between the two companies will affect their partnership moving forward.
