A New Era of Leather, Cactus Leather
Local millinery Simon & Mary has a rich history but understands that it’s the future that counts
the “heritage brand for a new generation’’ Is unquestionably a step ahead In the textile Innovation game. but before we take a look at this brand’s Ideas for a sustainable future, let’s look back at how It all began.
Simon & Mary was founded back in 2014, but the family has been in the millinery industry since 1935. As a family run business, the brand still works out of the same factory in Joburg as it did 50 years ago. The new shapes and styles you see people wearing on the streets today are made using the same trusted machinery. It’s more a legacy than a business, if you think about it. The milliners who created hats in the
’60s have passed on their skills, knowledge and experience to their children, so that they too could work and grow within the business.
It’s clear the brand’s inspired by the contemporary whilst honouring the past.
Over the years, Simon & Mary has cultivated a loyal community of followers who, like the brand, embody individuality and style, but at the end of the day, what consumers appreciate about it is the fine quality of its products. When it comes to creating a piece that’ll stand the test of time, fabrication and the highest quality textiles are what matters most.
We’ve heard the term “vegan leather” before, and it’s no coincidence that we’ll hear and learn a lot more about these alternatives to animal leather in the fashion and broader industries. We’re living in a time when sustainability and awareness is no longer an option; it’s vital.
Dean Posniak – the fourth-generation within the business and the brains behind the brand – has been working hard to create a factory that practices sustainability. His keen interest and research in leather alternatives lead him to plantbased leather created from Mexican cacti. Developing leather from a cactus may sound strange, but after experimenting with the process, Simon & Mary has figured this new innovative textile out, and has since launched its first range of hats made from the material. The capsule collection comprises of timeless pieces such as the classic baseball cap and the bucket hat, which come in black, beige and cactus green. ‘The material works beautifully with the styles we’ve gone for – the colours and shape of the product,’ he says. ‘We’ve also introduced a new ingot that features our
Simon & Mary icon.’
Made from Nopal, a type of cactus, this leather is highly sustainable, cruelty-free, partially biodegradable, and developed without toxic chemicals. The manufacturing process requires less water than leather made from animal skins. What makes this textile even better is that it’s soft to the touch while being incredibly durable. Simon & Mary are the first to adopt this material, but the potential for other industries to use it – luxury, automobile and furniture – is tremendous.
With a box full of cactus hats, long-time collaborator and friend of the brand Koos Groenewald of Jana + Koos, hit the road travelling from Joburg to Cape Town via the Karoo, where he shot the collection in its most natural, and incredibly fitting, surroundings.
The Cactus Leather range marks an exciting new direction for Simon & Mary.
‘We want to continue working with it, and may look into other products, not just headwear,’ says Posniak.
The collection is out now coinciding with the launch of the long-anticipated
Simon & Mary online store, where new pieces and classics alike are just a tap away.