Leather is one of the most reliable (and versatile) materials on the planet, but its production on a mass scale in the fashion industry, unfortunately, results in measurable harm to our environment. A lot of labels are beginning a slow but steady race toward sustainability, with companies like Dr. Martens, for example, taking its products and reimagining them in a way that cuts down on waste. And they’ve done exactly that in the Genix Nappa Collection, redesigning the three original Dr. Martens silhouettes with a reclaimed leather construction.
Genix Nappa leather is Dr. Martens’ new in-house material and the star of this new collection, and it’s the result of a five-step process that starts with reclaiming leather offcuts (a result of the wet-blue tanning process, giving them a distinct blue color) headed for the landfill. All the pieces are then milled and placed under heat and pressure to form sheets, before being woven and hit with a top layer of water-based PU – the result is a soft and lightweight leather that looks like (and is) the real deal. The three original Docs are the first to receive a redesign using this new material, giving the 1460 boots, the 2976 Chelseas, and the 1461 Oxfords a sustainable update.
Last year, Dr. Martens announced it was aiming to make all of its footwear with 100% sustainable materials by 2040, so it’s nice to see the label following through, especially since the company went the extra mile to create a proprietary material.
The Dr. Martens Genix Nappa Collection, including the 1460 Genix Nappa Reclaimed Leather Lace Up Boots for $170, the 2976 Genix Nappa Reclaimed Leather Chelsea boots (also $170), and the 1461 Genix Nappa Reclaimed Leather Oxford Shoes for $140, is available to shop now.
