LOVST TOKYO's original high-quality apple leather, "aplena by LOVST TOKYO."
While being a sustainable material that considers animals and the environment, it is a plant-based artificial leather packed with unique appeal, such as a luxurious appearance, durability, and a lineup of original colors and material textures.
What is "aplena by LOVST TOKYO"?
Design
"aplena by LOVST TOKYO" offers a luxurious feel that rivals genuine leather.
A key feature is LOVST TOKYO's unique, subtle color palette, making it easy to pair with various fashion styles.
Furthermore, we offer a wide range of embossed finishes, including sophisticated shrink, substantial smooth, and bold python patterns.
We carefully designed every aspect—texture, color, and appearance—developing it as a sustainable material for everyday use.
機能紹介
Compared to general synthetic leather, we use artificial leather that is more flexible and luxurious.
A non-woven fabric is used for the backing material, and a resin layer is permeated over it, which is similar to the fiber structure (collagen layer) of genuine leather, and the cross-section is said to be more resistant to scratches.
This results in astonishing lightness while achieving high durability for everyday use.
Compared to general synthetic leather, it is also highly resistant to deterioration over time, and has passed the jungle test, which states that it "can withstand more than 10 years of use in normal use environments," meeting the standards for use in car interiors and school bags.
Furthermore, it has excellent water resistance, so it can be used on rainy days or without worrying about getting wet, and it is easy to care for.
This material fulfills all of these requirements: high quality, ease of handling, and long-lasting use.
持続可能性
LOVST TOKYO's core principle is not to compromise on quality or usability for the sake of animal welfare or environmental consideration.
By replacing part of the conventionally used polyurethane resin with plant-derived materials, we have achieved a reduction in CO₂ emissions without compromising the functionality of the material.
Furthermore, this material is a made-in-Japan artificial leather created by upcycling discarded apples from Aomori Prefecture.
All processes, from raw material procurement to material development and manufacturing, are carried out domestically, ensuring production under stable quality control backed by years of experience.
In the manufacturing process, efforts are also made to reduce environmental impact by not only curbing CO₂ emissions but also minimizing the use of water and chemical substances.
Apple Leather FAQs
よくある質問
Are there different types of apple leather?
At LOVST TOKYO, we primarily use domestic apple leather "aplena" and Italian apple leather "Apple Skin."
Among these, "aplena by LOVST TOKYO" is an original apple leather developed by LOVST TOKYO, with meticulous attention paid to material feel, functionality, and design.
Furthermore, some apple leathers are also manufactured in China and Denmark.
How long does it take for it to deteriorate?
Generally, it is said that synthetic leather, which is widely available at low prices, may peel off after 2-3 years of use.
However, the "Apple Leather" handled by LOVST TOKYO uses high-quality polyurethane resin, so although it depends on how it is used, it can generally be used safely for 5 years.
Furthermore, the domestic Apple Leather "aplena" and "aplena by LOVST TOKYO" use polycarbonate-based resin, a type of polyurethane, and have passed the 10-year qualification standard in the jungle test*, which measures the degree of deterioration. (Polycarbonate-based resin is generally used in high-durability furniture such as car seats and sofas.)
*The jungle test is a degradation acceleration test that evaluates the service life of soft leather itself by artificially creating a room with 95% humidity and a temperature of 70 degrees Celsius, installing soft leather, and accelerating its degradation.
How many apples are used?
The resin layer on the surface contains 20-30% apple-derived natural ingredients.
How do I care for it?
If the surface gets dirty, wipe it with a towel wrung out with warm water. Then, gently wipe it dry with a soft towel.
While it does not require special maintenance like animal leather, you can extend its lifespan by regularly wiping away dirt and moisture, keeping it consistently clean.
To ensure a longer lifespan, we also recommend the vegan leather cream available at LOVST TOKYO.
Can I enjoy the aging process?
While it doesn't offer the aspect of enjoying how it ages over time, a major characteristic of "apple leather" is that it requires almost no daily maintenance.
For example, even if it gets wet, it won't stain like real leather.
Our staff has compiled a Staff Blog post on the condition of a product they've been using for three years, so please check it out here.
"Apple leather" can no longer be used as a name, can it?
Please read this article for our views and future direction.
Other inquiries
For other questions, please feel free to contact us via the chat on the bottom left or our official LINE account.
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ニュース
I introduced our Japanese apple leather at the Sustainable Brands International Conference 2023 Tokyo Marunouchi.
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Staff Blog
The result of using apple leather items for three years now...
