This is where we combine the art of Making, Knowledge and Expertise, across multiple disciplines to create our Biomaterials.
Our expertise blends Engineering with more than 20 years of experience in the Fashion and Lifestyle industries, strengthened by the insights of Material Scientists, Winemakers, Material Makers, and Industrial partners.
Together, we are shaping a new generation of Biomaterials.
SAVOIR-FAIRE
Welcome to the Behind the Scenes of our Biomaterials World.
This is where we combine the art of Making, Knowledge and Expertise, across multiple disciplines to create our Biomaterials.
Our expertise blends Engineering with more than 20 years of experience in the Fashion and Lifestyle industries, strengthened by the insights of Material Scientists, Winemakers, Material Makers, and Industrial partners.
Together, we are shaping a new generation of Biomaterials.
THE COLLECTING & THE PREPARING OF THE WINE WASTE, ALSO KNOWN AS MARC
Harvest in Provence
We work intentionally with the organic and biodynamic vineyards that surround us in Provence and we follow the seasons of the vines. The annual wine harvest is when the grapes are picked for wine and that happens in the end of August and the beginning of September.
Pressing
Once the grapes have been picked and pressed for wine, the marc, or in other words, the grape skins, the seeds and the stalks are generally discarded of and taken off the winemakers land, to the distilleries, to be made into stronger alcohol.
The grape marc is what we also work with as our primary raw material.
Grape Marc
We dry the grape marc and then prepare it for our Biomaterials. Our Biomaterials can be considered as an alternative to leather, as much as they can be an alternative to 100% fossil fuel synthetics.
THE DESIGNING OF OUR BIOMATERIALS
The Making of the Colours and the Textures
To introduce a new Biomaterial into our catalogue or to develop a bespoke material for a client, we define and refine the required characteristics, colours, and finishes within our design studio in the heart of Aix-en-Provence.
Our Colour Specialist can reproduce any shade with exceptional precision, while our Materials Team researches, tests, and validates the texture, composition, and final finish of each Biomaterial.
THE TESTING OF OUR BIOMATERIALS
The Performance Tests that All of our Biomaterials and Animal leather Alternatives go Through :
1. Martindale Abrasion Test
Used to evaluate abrasion resistance.
2. Bally Flexometer / Bally Flex Test
Measures flex resistance and checks for cracking under repeated bending.
3. Veslic Rub Fastness Test
Testing for colour fastness to rubbing.
4. Water Drop Test (Water Spot Resistance / Water Drop Absorption Test)
Checks surface absorption and stain behaviour.
5. Humidity Resistance / Hydrolytic Stability Test
These evaluate cracking, stickiness, and degradation in humid conditions.
6. Lightfastness Test / UV Resistance Test
To test how our materials react to sunlight exposure.
We work with independent laboratory testing services based in France for these and other tests if necessary.
THE PRODUCTION
From Laboratory Approval to Production
Once our new Biomaterial is approved by the laboratory, we initiate production — in small batches or at industrial scale, depending on what is required.
Small Batch Production & Biomaterial Development
We begin by producing small batch rolls of our Biomaterials in our partner micro-factory. These batch runs allow us to evaluate flexibility, thickness, colour, handle and performance before scaling up to industrial production.
Industrial Production
When the material is validated, we move to full-scale manufacturing, producing rolls at a width of 150 cm and the ability to produce in volume. Our production partners are based in our neighbouring country, Italy.