What Makes Moore & Giles’ Olive Green Leather the Most Sustainable On The Planet?
Thayer Coggin Chair upholstered in Olive Green Leather—Aspen Onyx.
For more than 85 years, luxury natural leather designer and developer Moore & Giles has incorporated sustainable practices into the creation of its leathers—putting environmental protection, social responsibility and economic policy at the forefront of its process. In addition to its extensive portfolio of vegetable- and mineral-tanned leathers, Moore & Giles presents Olive Green leather—tanned with one of nature’s greatest byproducts, the fallen olive leaf.
“We have been watching and experimenting with leathers in this category for a while, but felt this product differentiated itself from the field and stood out among its peers,” says brand president Sackett Wood. “When you can tell the story of tanning a byproduct with a byproduct, you have a rich story to tell.”
Moore & Giles Aspen—part of the Olive Green Collection.
Innovative Tanning
The Olive Green collection stands out as the first organically tanned leather and the most sustainable leather on the market … for several reasons.
First, olive leaf tanning uses fallen or pruned leaves to create an organic tanning extract, requiring no felling of trees or field cultivation in competition for food production. Second, it is produced using wet-green technology, a process that results in 100-percent natural, biodegradable, mineral-free tanning.
In addition to a very rare Cradle to Cradle Gold certification, the wet-green tanning agent has received a Sustainable Entrepreneur Award and was the Launch Nordic winner in 2015. Useable on any furnishings, accessories or applications, Olive Green enhances Moore & Giles’ existing portfolio of upholstery, residential, hospitality, aviation and automotive leathers.
Moore & Giles Madrid—part of the Olive Green Collection.
Ongoing Sustainability
When procuring its tanned hides, Moore & Giles operates with respect for the impact leather production has on the environment, partnering with suppliers who ensure full compliance with government regulations that meet or exceed standards of environmental responsibility. “The use of natural leather plays an important role in our global sustainability efforts due to its longevity and wearability over time,” Wood says. Longevity plays an integral role when sourcing as well, with over 80 percent of Moore & Giles leathers coming from relationships built over decades; family-run, multigenerational tanneries who produce in small quantities with a high level of attention to detail and care for their staff and families.
“We believe in the natural beauty of leather—a visual representation of honesty and hard work—where each hide is artfully crafted by hand and no two are alike,” Wood says. “This bone-deep belief drives a desire for transparency and thoughtfulness in our leather and our work … and brings us great joy to share with the world.”
Moore & Giles Traynham Club Chair upholstered in Olive Green Leather—Madrid Spice.