In a world where everything from fashion to food is going vegan, luxury furniture has been slow to join the movement. But not anymore.
Home decor fans, get ready to rejoice – your favorite classic just got an eco-friendly upgrade.
Why Leather Needs Innovation
Traditional leather has long been scrutinized for its environmental and ethical implications.
The production process involves harmful chemicals and significant carbon emissions, not to mention the ethical concerns surrounding animal welfare. Poisonous colorings used in leather tanning further exacerbate its environmental impact.
The call for innovative alternatives to animal leather has never been more urgent, and Herman Miller has risen to the occasion with a groundbreaking solution.
And now Herman Miller, the legendary furniture maker, has just introduced a plant-based leather alternative for its iconic Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman.
The Iconic Eames Lounge Chair
The Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, often referred to by collectors as “670” and “671,” has been a symbol of luxury and comfort since its introduction in 1956 by Charles and Ray Eames. This timeless piece is renowned for its reclined positioning and ergonomic design, inspired by the English club chair.
The two-piece set, starting at $6,395, is now available with a revolutionary bamboo-based upholstery. New colorways include ivory, russet, and black, which can be paired with any existing shell types—walnut, santos palisander, ash, or oak—and come in both standard and tall sizes.
Banbū™: The Bamboo Leather Revolution
Herman Miller’s new upholstery, Banbū™, is sourced from von Holzhausen, a Los Angeles-based material innovation company. Banbū™ is an ultra-durable, sleek material made from bamboo, the most renewable raw material on earth.
Hailed as “buttery-soft and smooth as lambskin”, Banbū™ offers impressive sustainability benefits: it boasts five times the carbon emission savings compared to cow leather, is 83% plant-based, and degrades within 250 days in a landfill.
The production process of Banbū™ involves harvesting bamboo plants, cutting them into chips, and creating a natural pulp. The fibers are then spun into yarn, woven into a plant-based material, and treated with a plant-based topcoat, resulting in a luxurious and eco-friendly alternative to traditional leather.
Herman Miller: Pioneering Sustainable Furniture
Herman Miller has been a beacon of environmental responsibility since 1953.
The company has continuously revisited its designs to incorporate innovative materials, such as 100% recycled plastic for the Eames Molded Plastic Chairs and ocean-bound plastic for the Aeron Chair. The introduction of the bamboo-based leather alternative for the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman marks another milestone in their commitment to sustainability.
Noah Schwarz, Vice President of Product Design for Herman Miller, emphasizes the significance of this innovation: “Charles and Ray Eames pioneered the use of molded plywood in furniture. Today, Herman Miller is among the first furniture brands to offer a plant-based leather alternative made almost entirely from bamboo, upholding the aesthetic and quality standards that have defined the chair for nearly 70 years.”
Herman Miller’s dedication to sustainable design is revolutionizing the furniture industry, making eco-friendly options accessible without compromising on style or quality.
The Eames Lounge Chair with bamboo-based upholstery is available in stores and online, inviting all home decor fans to embrace this vegan transformation.
