H&M launches shoe line with banana fiber and grape leather

In Sweden, fast-fashion giant H&M has partnered with shoe maker Good News to more broadly market footwear incorporating banana fiber, grape leather, and recycled materials. 

The unisex collection includes seven trainers and one slider style featuring waterproof fiber Bananatex  and grape waste leather Vegea. Other materials include recycled cotton and Bloom Algae EVA made from algae biomass.

 “The collection is a bright and colorful contrast to a grey and uncertain world. I love the colors and the innovative materials,” says H&M designer David Söderlund, adding that the “creativity and drive for change” of Good News founders  Nia Jones and Ben Tattersall inspired the H&M team. “We joined forces to become better together.” 

The collection is available online and in certain Scandinavian H&M locations later this month. It is one of several renewable material efforts launched by H&M, which is working to counter the negative environmental impacts of the fashion industry.