As of April, there has been a new addition to Ganni’s lineage. The Bou Bag, named after the daughter of Ganni founders, Ditte and Nicolaj Reffstrups, might be just what the luxury leather market needed.
Now you may take a glance and note the beautiful braided detail of the top handle with its dice embellishment and “Ganni” engraving or maybe the hexagonal silhouette which has a flat bottom allowing it to hold more than just your lipgloss and credit card. Perhaps, the signature butterfly logo would pair perfectly with one of your various Ganni knit sweaters. Although the bag’s features speak for themselves, the ingenuity is in its genetic makeup. “A next-gen icon,” Ganni boasts via one of the various Instagram posts advertising their newest launch.
The bag comes in 6 colors ranging from neutral to punchy colors. Although the mosstone is gorgeous, the eye-catcher here is the Black Ohoskin. With collaborative efforts between Ganni and the bio-based fabricators at Ohoskin, the bag walked the runway during Copenhagen Fashion Week last February, creating quite the spectacle. The outcome of the Ganni and Ohoskin pairing? The launch of a readily available luxurious leather bag made from oranges and cacti.
I’m sure that raises a few questions. If you’re a skeptic of sustainability ploys as I am, you too may find both brands’ transparency refreshing. After endlessly scrolling through the brands’ websites, due to the sheer volume of information they provide, here are the main takeaways. Essentially, Ohoskin repurposes waste from cactus and orange farming in Sicily Italy, forming a leather byproduct bound to a 100% cotton textile support. The first bio-based material alternative was made in Italy. They quite literally turn trash into treasure and are “70% non-fossil” as stated under the thorough FAQ on their website. Non-fossil is defined as “made from organic and recycled materials, which do not contribute to the carbon footprint.” The leather has been tested against abrasions, heat, and humidity, and has been found to last between 10 and 20 years. The only information I didn’t seem to gather was their coloring process for their goods. After emailing them, I was sadly ghosted. The website, however, also lists the various pledges and qualifications the brand has taken part in.
The same goes for Ganni’s transparency. The collaborative efforts are part of their goal to phase out virgin leather by the end of 2023. Ironically, the brand’s stance on sustainability is that it contradicts the foundations of the fashion industry, stating that the industry thrives on constant newness. Although Ganni claims they are not a sustainable brand, they truly are paving the way for sustainable luxury.
The only issue with Ganni’s newest launch is that the bag comes in six different colors yet only the black is available in Ohoskin’s revolutionized Leather. The others are made from Ganni’s standard recycled leather fabrics. Ohoskin states on its website that clients sourcing are able to order custom colors in their fabrics. If Ganni could have sourced all of its materials from Ohoskin, making the bags only in the bio fabrics, why didn’t they? Though we might not have the answer, Ganni’s sustainable efforts are apparent. This bag is beautifully constructed and designed for everyday use. This new Bou might be the first to impress your friends in the group chat.
Words by Megan Acosta.
Graphic by Evelyn Venezky.