Natashah Hitti | 15 November 2018

Brazilian designer Oskar Metsavaht has repurposed the skins from the pirarucu fish found in Amazonian rivers and lakes by transforming it into sustainable scaly garments and fashion accessories.

The brand believes that the pirarucu skins are more sustainable than leather

The designer developed the fish skin material as an alternative to traditional bovine leather, which is harmful to the environment, with cattle ranching being one of the biggest causes of deforestation in the Amazon rainforest

Fashion brand Oskar is making bags from the skins of pirarucu fishes.

The pirarucu fish has been a staple diet amongst people in the north of Brazil for centuries, but they typically discard the skins after eating it.

Metsavaht, who founded Brazilian fashion brand Osklen, decided to put the wasted skin to good use to create a “new luxury”, with a series of ready-to-wear garments like jackets and accessories such as handbags that “bring together aesthetics and ethics”.

More: Oskar Metsavaht uses fish skin to make sustainable fashion garments