Our Story
We love nature, countryside, and spending time outside.
We also admire fashion.
Unfortunately, the two words don’t go together well. The fashion industry has been a major factor in the environmental crisis.
That’s why, Oskar (the bald one) and Guerric decided in 2018 to launch Blackwood. The duo, Guerric running a successful fashion brand in France, and Oskar being a Mechanical Engineer, combine their untypical skillset to design the finest artisan accessories. Only using the most innovative sustainable materials.
With the cumulative experience of more than 10 years in the luxury fashion industry, the mission of the founders is to show the fashion industry that sustainability doesn’t require a compromise from the beautiful design.
Our innovative approach has been recognised at the competitions in London and Monaco.
Cork Leather
Cork leather is a leather alternative made from a cork oak bark.
To make it, just the bark is harvested, which then grows back in 9 years. As it grows back, the tree absorbs more carbon dioxide than unharvested trees!
After harvesting and drying for 6 months, the bark is cut in thin pieces and attached to a backing.
Unique
As there are no two same trees in a forest, each piece of cork leather has its own unique pattern.
Durable
Engineered with the strength of a tree, cork leather is scratch-resistant and easy to maintain.
Wood Leather
Wood Leather is a new eco-friendly leather alternative that is very unique and sustainable.
It is made from wood coming from FSC certified forests. By using laser technology to cut the wood into small pieces attached to a backing, the material is as soft as leather.
It looks stunning, with each piece having its own wooden pattern.
Unique
As there are no two same trees in a forest, each piece of cork leather has its own unique pattern.
Sustainable
Using wood leather emits 60% less carbon dioxide than the same amount of animal leather.
Cactus Leather
We are one of the first brands in the United Kingdom to work with cactus leather.
It is a new and innovative material developed in Mexico. It is made from leaves of a cactus that is organically farmed in the Mexican state of Zacatecas. To make it, just the leaves are harvested, keeping the core of the cactus intact. This allows them to grow back in 6-8 months, to be harvested again.
Unique
It is a brand new material, with a lovely gentle smell.
Sustainable
It is made from cactus leaves, which grow back in 6-8 months.
Our Own Material
Having a mechanical engineer as our co-founder, Blackwood’s goal was always to develop our own material. The ultimate leather alternative.
After 2 years of working with the existing materials and growing the brand, we have decided to take on the challenge.
Just before the COVID-19 pandemic happened, we were selected as finalists of a competition for sustainable innovation. Provided that the pandemic situation improves, in September we will be pitching for £75,000 worth of academic research.
Until then, we will be working on the first steps of the development.
Please, join our newsletter below and follow us on Instagram for all the updates about this exciting project.
