Biker jackets created from shredded pineapple leaves

A student has created a biker jacket range which uses shredded pineapple leaves as a substitute for leather.

Anna Keomegi, BA Fashion Product Design

Anna Keomegi, 25, says she was inspired to create menswear which was sustainable and which promoted good mental health after her friend developed depression.

“It’s important for guys to talk about their feelings,” said Anna, from Latvia, who’s studying Fashion Product Design at Nottingham Trent University.

“But it’s not accepted in our society yet. So I wanted to create a unique garment that’s strong and sustainable.

“Biker jackets always make people feel confident. When you put a biker jacket on, it makes you feel strong!

“So I started to research fruit-based agricultural waste as a substitute for leather, and was amazed by what I discovered.”

Anna contacted Ananas Anam, a company which produces Piñatex, its own textile which is made from pineapple leaf fibre.

She has designed and made three leather jackets - in black, white and brown - all of which are aimed at promoting good mental health and self-confidence.

The lining of the jackets is made from Eastman Naia™, a cellulosic yarn made from sustainably sourced wood.

Anna said: “It’s amazing to see the reactions people give when I tell them what the jackets are made from. Everyone tries to smell them - it’s their first reaction. They don’t smell of anything, but people are intrigued because it’s something different.

“Lots of people are becoming vegan today, and more are thinking about buying ethically-sourced products. So I think a material like this has real potential for the modern market. It’s amazing to think you can make high-quality biker jackets from the discarded leaves of pineapples.”

White Jacket

Credit: Adrian Vitelleschi Cook

Anna’s designs are set to go on public display for Show, Nottingham Trent University’s art and design degree show from 1 to 9 June. Taking place at its City Campus, works of more than 1,300 creatives will be exhibited.

Fashion Product Design lecturer Emma Prince said: “Anna has shown how the classic biker jacket can be reimagined and produced in more sustainable and ethical ways.

“Her designs also illustrate why clothing is about more than just appearance. What we wear can make us feel good and boost our mental health.”

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About Nottingham Trent University
Nottingham Trent University (NTU) was named University of the Year 2019 in the Guardian University Awards. The award was based on performance and improvement in the Guardian University Guide, retention of students from low-participation areas and attainment of BME students. NTU was also the Times Higher Education University of the Year 2017, and The Times and Sunday Times Modern University of the Year 2018. These awards recognise NTU for its high levels of student satisfaction, its quality of teaching, its engagement with employers, and its overall student experience.
The university has been rated Gold in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework – the highest ranking available.
It is one of the largest UK universities. With nearly 32,000 students and more than 4,000 staff located across four campuses, the University contributes £900m to the UK economy every year. With an international student population of more than 3,000 from around 100 countries, the University prides itself on its global outlook.
The university is passionate about creating opportunities and its extensive outreach programme is designed to enable NTU to be a vehicle for social mobility. NTU is among the UK’s top five recruiters of students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A total of 82% of its graduates go on to graduate entry employment or graduate entry education or training within six months of leaving. Student satisfaction is high: NTU achieved an 88% satisfaction score in the 2018 National Student Survey.
NTU is also one of the UK’s most environmentally friendly universities, containing some of the sector’s most inspiring and efficient award-winning buildings.

NTU is home to world-class research, and won The Queen’s Anniversary Prize in 2015 – the highest national honour for a UK university. It recognised the University’s pioneering projects to improve weapons and explosives detection in luggage; enable safer production of powdered infant formula; and combat food fraud.