Southwest Airlines has created a line of upcycled fashion accessories, manufactured from hundreds of pounds of leather from airplane seat covers. The scheme is the result of a multi-year collaboration with Mexican fashion label Carla Fernández that will see used leather seat covers converted by indigenous artisans in seven Mexican communities into shoes and bags, ponchos and key chains. Best of all, Southwest will reduce the amount of waste the airline sends to landfills, while also generating social and economic opportunities for communities.
“Southwest Airlines is proud to partner with Carla Fernández on LUV Seat: Mexico as a part of our Repurpose with Purpose program,” said Bill Tiffany, Southwest Airlines VP of supply chain management. “Through this impactful program, indigenous artisans have been able to incorporate their trades into the designs to create some incredible pieces while learning essential economic development skills through entrepreneurial training programs.”
