AFTER some years of dabbling in sustainable luxury - researching environmentally sustainable processing methods has been going on since 2007 - Italian leather brand Salvatore Ferragamo has come up with what is possibly the world's first line of ecologically conscious luxury bags ('I'm Not A Plastic Bag' totes notwithstanding).
 
The current-season Eco Ferragamo range should gratify greenies as it is much more environment-friendly than the infamous Anya Hindmarch bag which set off a debate about whether its production was truly green: the vegetable-dyed calf-leather collection is created using a process that is completely free of pollutants, and which features an innovative ecological tanning process that does not involve the use of metals but tannins from tree bark instead, says Ferragamo's head of women's leather, James Ferragamo.

'This technique, which results in metal-free tanned leather, brings out the natural characteristics and texture of the leather without metals or pollutants, creating biodegradable skins that are soft and beautiful,' he explains. It also results in leather that is less water resistant, but that's a small price to pay when you realise you're not causing 'problems of pollution' that arise when leather is tanned the conventional way.

The green theme runs into the inside of each bag too, with the lining made of hand-woven hemp. 'Hemp is an environmentally sustainable material as it is a highly resistant plant that does not require the use of pesticides,' explains Mr Ferragamo on the choice of material. He adds: 'It returns nitrogen and other nutrients to the soil, combats soil erosion and generates large quantities of oxygen, given its rapid growth cycle.'

It's clear the brand has devoted plenty of thought towards making the Eco Ferragamo bags as completely environmentally sustainable as possible. But it's also a relief to discover that Ferragamo hasn't compromised on style along the way.

The eco-friendly line comprises five chic day bags (only four have been brought into Singapore though) in soft, slouchy leather, each with Sardinian wood accents, closures of rolled leather and a hand-woven pattern in its centre. There is a tote, a handbag and a couple of shoulder bags which come in cheery salmon pink and lemon yellow as well as the more versatile and luxurious-looking colours of black and rich chocolate brown.

At prices ranging from $2,020 for the tote to $3,170 for a shoulder bag, the Eco Ferragamo collection is slightly more expensive than the brand's conventionally produced lines, but that's because they're made from the best-quality leather - vegetable dyes, which work like tinted moisturiser as opposed to foundation on a face, cannot really cover flaws.

Even as the collection begins moving off the shelves in Ferragamo boutiques, the brand is already planning another environment-friendly line of bags which will also be 'tuned in to the ecological system'. This will be released in Spring-Summer 2010. 'Every brand has to be conscious of the environment, and each should make an effort to become eco-friendly and improve the planet for the generation to come,' says Mr Ferragamo of his company's commitment to sustainable luxury.

'Today, we live in a global planet where influence and information disseminates faster than ever and where demand for luxury products is growing all over the worwld. These are reasons why luxury brands should set examples by offering products that are friendly to the environment and that can reach customers worldwide.'

This article was first published in The Business Times