FABRIC: DESSERTO
Regions: Mexico
Fabric Name:
Desserto
Species/Origin:
Nopal, Opuntia ficus-indica
Who made our fabric:
Desserto
Natural history and ecology:
Desserto® is a highly sustainable plant-based material as an alternative to leather made from nopal cactus, known in the US as prickly pear, genus Opuntia. The nopal cactus is capable of growing in severely depleted soils where other crops cannot. This tough and resilient plant can survive prolonged drought and high temperatures. The cultivation of nopal originated in Mexico, which remains the main producer and consumer in the world.
What makes this so special:
The aim of Desserto® is to offer cruelty-free, sustainable alternatives, without any toxic chemicals, phthalates, and PVC. The result, Desserto®, the cactus material, is partially biodegradable and has the technical specifications required by the fashion, leather goods, luxury packaging, and furniture industries.
Desserto® uses 30% nopal cactus to create a vegan leather fabric.
“Mexico where cactus is not only abundant but also a national symbol which can be seen in our national flag, we decided to focus our efforts around this plant. Down the line, we figured that cactus was the ideal plant to work with because of its low environmental footprint.”
-Marte Cazarez Duarte/Desserto
Marte Cázarez Duarte
Meet Marte Cázarez Duarte, co-founder of Desserto. Desserto is a sustainable cactus-based biomaterial often distinguished by its great softness at touch and performance for a wide variety of applications while complying with the most rigorous quality and environmental standards of the industry. Desserto, having its headquarters in Guadalajara, México, is celebrating its fourth anniversary in April 2023. Since its official launch, it has received important international awards like the Green Product Award, MCFW Sustainable Fashion Award, PETA Compassionate Business Award, Good Design Award, and Innovation Award by Architectural Digest and Samsung, also received a special mention as second runner-up at the LVMH Innovation Award and favorite in materials category. Desserto is committed to creating new sustainable solutions and promoting ethical practices through the industry value chains to help build a better world through the fashion industry.