[podcast]http://www.green-talk.com/podcasts/salmonleather.mp3[/podcast]
Okay. Before you jump all over me about the use of salmon to make fabric, hear me out. This product created by ES Salmon Leather is made from discarded salmon skins. When I saw it for the first time, I was salmon struck. It was (and still is) absolutely beautiful.
The idea was spawned (sorry about the pun) from a government grant to find uses for the discarded parts of salmons. The Company invented salmon leather to re-purpose the salmon skins into usable exotic leather similar to snake skin without the ethical animal treatment issues.
What’s it Feel Like?
This is not your grandmother’s pleather. Wait! Was pleather around back then? Okay, well you got my drift here. I touched it, and I can honestly say talk about butter. It simmers, has amazing depth, beautiful feel, and is a must have for those who want the skin-look without the eco-guilt. (Yes, people call your designers. Don’t stop at go and collect your $200, just call. If you don’t have an eco-designer in New Jersey, then call mine.)
I had the absolute pleasure of interviewing Stiven Kerestegian, CEO of the Company, at the Architectural Digest Home Show in the Spring. You can listen to the ES Salmon podcast here or click on the podcast at the beginning of the article.
The podcast is short and sweet but full of juicy details about this product. (Remember, I love green design just as much as I love eco-friendly sub-floors. Both make me swoon at the knees. If you remembered my piece on the Twin Maples Showhouse and its fab designers you know how much I admire good design. Go have a look see after you read this article. Gorgeous designs.)
Are they Killing the Fish for the Skins, Anna?
No. This is not your fur industry meets fish industry. Nor is the Little Mermaid poising nude on behalf of the fish. According to the Company,
“ES Salmon Leather is a noble and versatile material, made by re-purposing salmon skin which was previously discarded by the commercial salmon industry. The leather has some truly unique aesthetic and physical qualities, not only is it tough, it is very flexible.”
The Company has two lines. One that is tanned with regular tannins which includes chrome and another eco-line which is tanned with plant extracts. However, the eco-line leather line is more earthy in color since the use of chrome creates brighter colors. Again, a shades of green dilemma.
In both cases, the line is made from re-purposed fish skins, but one uses eco-friendly tanning methods and the other line does not. Stiven indicated during our conversation that he hopes one day that the Company’s entire line will be created using eco-friendly chemicals.
I bet you are wondering what can I do with this exotic leather? The Company show the salmon skins in their picture gallery as place mats, shoes (clogs, yet), fabric for chairs, and pillows. Check it out. The possibilities are endless.
How Tough is this Product?
As Stiven explained, salmons are tough animals. Look what they have to go through? They are naturally resilient. If you had to spend that much time in the water, your skin would be tough too. In fact, Stiven stated salmon skin is tougher than other commercial leathers available.
So, what is this going to cost me (says my husband…?)
How many of you have the same discussion? You absolutely love something and need it (so you think.) And then comes the question, “how much is this going to cost me?”
Salmon by its nature does not have full width skins. They must be pieced together. See here for technical information about how the skins are made into fabric. When all is said and done, each linear yard is about $100 depending upon which treatments you request. (For example, if you ask for lacquer to be applied, the price may be higher.)
Upcoming for ES Salmon?
Who needs un-eco leather skirts when discarded salmon skins can be used instead? The Company would like to venture into the clothing biz. Before you know it, Gisele Bundchen may be dressed up in salmon walking down the runway. Discarded skins…
In fact, Stiven forgot to mention in my interview that ES Salmon fabric was used in Isaac Mizrahi’s Design for a Living World exhibit at the Cooper-Hewlitt this past year! Hmm. I think this is a pretty big deal, don’t you?
See Mizrahi talking about his design exhibit in the below video.
So, move over pleather, here comes salmon leather!
Join the Conversation:
- Would you drape your chair in salmon leather?
- Adorn your bed with one of their salmon/wool pillows?
- How about wear a salmon skirt?
Photos courtesy of ES Salmon.
Pigaroo says
July 3, 2010 at 2:08 pmWow, this is really something!
Green Talk says
July 5, 2010 at 5:07 pmPigaroo, I was speechless when I saw it. A first for me. Anna
Chris Stanley says
July 5, 2010 at 4:59 pmVery interesting article. I have not heard of salmon skin being used this way. It is a great way of effectively using all the parts of the salmon. My only concern is the price tag associated with owning products made from salmon. Great marketing will increase demand which will lower cost. Remember being “Green” should not leave your wallet empty.
Green Talk says
July 5, 2010 at 5:05 pmChris, alot of the eco fabric have a price tag that high. I agree that being green shouldn’t hurt your wallet. Anna
Ecover Blog says
July 6, 2010 at 2:05 pmSince we hate to see anything “discarded,” this seems like a pretty exciting enterprise. (Loved the “spawn” pun, btw!)
-Deb for Ecover
Selina says
July 13, 2010 at 4:51 pmI never heard of this before but it looks amazing really. I just checked their gallery and fell in love with their products. Since this is a new thing, maybe it would be good idea to try and be their affiliate or reseller? Do they have anything like that?
Green Talk says
July 14, 2010 at 11:20 amSelina,
I really don’t know how if they will have affiliates since it is a fabric. Worth an ask. Could be a good idea. BTW, have you found any eco friendly bead companies? I love crafty ideas. (I saw your last entry in your blog.) Anna
Selina says
July 17, 2010 at 4:15 pmI have to say that i’m usually buying my materials on the street but few months ago i did try to find something similar without much success. I just might start searching again but on net this time. If nothing else, maybe it will make a good post on my blog at least 🙂 .
Selina says
July 19, 2010 at 4:17 pmI have found some companies online but im not sure if i can afford buying from them unless i buy large quantities because of shipping costs. But as i said, at least i can make some interesting story about it maybe. For example, i found some beads primarily made from tagua nuts, a renewable resource from the Amazon 🙂
Selina says
July 13, 2010 at 4:57 pmBtw, doesn’t it feel somewhat strange when you think about new type of leather? They have jackets for example, and, i think i would need some time to get used to the fact that im wearing a salmon :D. Must’ve been even stranger feeling for those trying out the snake skin long time ago lol.
funny true stories says
September 11, 2010 at 5:39 amCool Design,Could you send me as much info as possible on your product. Also are you looking for material suppliers? I live in a city in Canada that has been dubbed The Salmon Capitol of the World and thought if you are looking for suppliers I could point you in the right dirrection here!
Anna@Green Talk says
September 12, 2010 at 2:27 pmFunny, you should contact the company and share this information. Anna
funny true stories says
September 12, 2010 at 11:58 pmcool video ! Thanks for your interest, and coming to visit our stand at the show. The slippers were a real talking point and we will be creating an online system for our site shortly where you will be able to purchase them. We will keep you posted.
Many thanks the ES Team
ren says
August 22, 2011 at 5:13 pmJust for your information, salmon is both singular and plural. Thanks for the story. It’s nice to know there are alternatives to dumping large numbers of salmon skins back into the environment. I’ll consider it a viable product when it’s an affordable alternative. This does sound like a step in the right direction, though. ‘ren
Anna@Green Talk says
August 26, 2011 at 1:37 amRen, I didn’t know that about salmon plural and singular! Anna
Kellie says
August 23, 2012 at 6:51 pmHello!
I have a company called Fine Leathers, and we sell Eco Friendly Salmon skins on Etsy that are extremely well priced! (Starting at $10 a piece!). Go take a look….
http://www.Etsy.com/shop/fineleathers