The first ever collection made with invasive dragonfin leather has been launched by Inversa Leathers in collaboration with Teton Leather Company.
- The items were on display at Lone Design Club in partnership with the Crown Estate's 'Season Of Wonder' sustainable concept store on London’s Jermyn Street, SW1.
The Collection: The entire Teton x Inversa collection has been made from Inversa Leather’s invasive dragonfin leather, dyed crimson to enhance the extraordinary scale pattern.
- Teton Leather’s Bora bag was designed by Francesca and Zach Ritchie, co-owners of the company.
The Invasive Species: The dragonfin was imported from Southeast Asia in the 1970s to manage ponds within the US. However, flooding in the 1990s allowed these fish to escape into the Mississippi river.
- Since then, this species has been outcompeting nearly all native species and degrading the water quality from the Great Lakes to Gulf of Mexico.
- Today, each dragonfin hide contributes in protecting up to: 150+ native fish and endangered freshwater species; 1.5+ million livelihoods dependent on the Mississippi river; and, a $500 billion economy dependent on the Mississippi.
- Polypterus senegalus, the Senegal bichir, gray bichir or Cuvier's bichir, and sometimes called the "dinosaur eel" (a misnomer, as the creature is neither an eel nor a dinosaur), "dinosaur bichir", or "dragon fish" is in the pet trade due to its lungfish-like appearance, which was described as more primitive and prehistoric than other modern fishes (Wikipedia).
- It is a prototypical species of fish in the genus Polypterus, meaning most of its features are held across the genus. It is commonly kept in captivity by hobbyists. They are native from Africa where they are the most widespread species of the genus.
Promoting Conservation: By removing this destructive invasive dragonfin from the Mississippi and making it into beautiful but hard-wearing leather, Teton Leather Company and Inversa Leathers say they are allowing nature to flourish once more.
- Inversa’s mission to remove invasive species to re-define leather and revive nature is backed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - as well as supported by the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance (ORRAA).
What They Said:
Inversa is hugely excited to be asked to display beyond-sustainable products, made from our invasive Dragonfin leather, handcrafted by Teton Leather Co in this prestigious and historic street in London’s West End. To be displaying goods in the same street where HM The King of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, King Charles III, buys his shirts and shoes from, in a building owned by The Crown Estate, which is next door to no 22, that was owned by the renowned Italian silk merchant Cesare Salvucci, is a huge honor for all of us at Inversa Leathers.
— Aarav Chavda
CEO and Co-Founder
Inversa Leathers
I feel that designing and creating fine art is it’s own pleasure, but working with Inversa has given true depth and purpose to my process. We have broken through so many barriers to turn invasive Dragonfin into a tangible piece of good for the Earth. Something that our clients can be proud to own, not only for its luxury design and quality, but because of the ecological support they have provided.
— Francesca Ritchie
Designer and Founder
Teton Leather
At Lone Design Club, we are proud to work with brands using innovative materials and techniques to rebalance eco-systems and support a more sustainable fashion industry. This December, the LDC X The Crown Estate, Season of Wonder pop-up store, will showcase an array of products from independent and sustainably- conscious brands with a focus on unique gifts and accessories.
— Alice McAnulty
Chief Operating Officer
Lone Design Club
