The questions, 'Why isn’t cork used more in vegan sustainable fashion?"'and 'Why are there not many cork fabric products available in Australia?' prodded the James&Co founder to engage in research and opportunity-finding. Resulting in the production and release of sustainable products for wholesale which are unique in style and textile, and great opportunity for retailers.
Cork is uniquely suited to address the demands of ethical and eco-conscious consumers. Harvested from the bark of cork oak trees in a process that does not harm the trees, allowing them to regenerate their bark over time. This renewable and biodegradable material has a significantly lower environmental footprint compared to synthetic alternatives or traditional animal leather.
Possible reasons for cork being underutilized in vegan sustainable fashion could be lack of awareness by consumers and stakeholders of cork's potential as a viable alternative to traditional materials. It also seems likely that perception challenges play a part - that cork may still be associated more with bottle stoppers or insulation than with fashion and lifestyle products.
As the demand for sustainable, cruelty-free products continues to grow, the market for cork products is growing providing retailers in Australian with not-to-be-missed opportunity of revenue growth and leadership recognition.
