Local Brand Launches Luxury Bag Collection to Save the Everglades
Coming together in an extraordinary alliance, two positive luxury brands are revolutionizing the fashion industry through their commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. In a journey to protect the iconic Florida Everglades, local fashion accessory brand, Piper & Skye, and INVERSA Leathers are fusing the realms of haute fashion and ecological preservation to debut a luxury bag collection that pushes the boundaries of sustainability in the realm of fashion by exclusively using invasive Python leather, arguably one of the worst invasive species that preys on 90-99% of small mammalian life in the Everglades.
Dedicated to raising the bar for luxury, Piper & Skye creates sustainable luxury bags with a genuine concern for humanity and the planet using ethically-sourced materials such as pirarucu and alligator leather, while INVERSA makes environmentally regenerative leathers from invasive species, such as the lionfish and Florida’s Burmese python.
The stunning new collection between Piper & Skye and INVERSA was almost inevitable, particularly after Joanna MacDonald, Founder & Creative Director of Piper & Skye and Aarav Chavda, Founder & CEO of INVERSA, connected over their shared intention to "leave the planet in better shape than we found it”. The new collection features two eco-conscious handbag designs, with many more styles in the works. The 2 launch styles are:
The Soho Handbag ($940) – an ode to the classic top-handle handbag but with a twist. In collaboration with INVERSA Leathers, this handbag, made of invasive python leather, features a spacious interior with a convenient inner pocket and hidden magnetic front closure. It is also equipped with a removable, leather shoulder strap to wear it hands-free. The Soho is available in black and cobalt.
The Braemar Tote ($1,250) – an elegant everyday bag that’s stylish and functional for leisure or work. This tote’s exterior features invasive python leather and is flanked by pirarucu leather, which is sustainably-tanned in Brazil, and used as a food source across South America. Available in cobalt, the Braemar is equipped with top handles and an adjustable/removable crossbody shoulder strap, as well as a dedicated inner laptop compartment and mobile phone pocket.
By incorporating invasive Burmese python leather into these sophisticated bags, The Piper & Skye x INVERSA collection aims to protect the Florida Everglades. The invasive Burmese python was accidentally introduced from Southeast Asia to the Florida Everglades and turned a once-thriving ecosystem, filled with the sounds of native life, into a silent grave, as the python preys on 90-99% of small mammalian life there.
Both organizations champion a shared vision of eco-conscious fashion: INVERSA's groundbreaking approach is validated and backed by organizations like the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA), and Conservation International (CI), and works collaboratively with the State of Florida and the government of Mexico to protect and restore the biodiversity of the aquatic environments from which the species originate; while Piper & Skye emphasizes regeneration, responsible material sourcing practices, and mitigating both internal and external environmental impact.
Their alliance brings forth a trailblazing fashion experience, marrying luxury and style with a profound commitment to healing the planet and restoring affected ecosystems.
Discover the Piper & Skye x INVERSA collection and order these elegant, regenerative handbags at https://www.piperandskye.com/collections/inversa/.