Hyundai turns unwanted leather into trendy outfits

Upcycled clothes from Hyundai Motor in collaboration with Hyundai Transys and Zero + Maria Cornejo. [HYUNDAI MOTOR]

Hyundai Motor is collaborating with its powertrain and seat making affiliate Hyundai Transys and U.S. fashion brand Zero + Maria Cornejo to turn leftover leather into designer clothes.

Hyundai said Wednesday that the upcycling of leftover leather from making car seats is an attempt to strengthen its business sustainability.

Seat maker Hyundai Transys is supplying the leftover leather. New York City-based fashion brand Zero + Maria Cornejo, recognized for its eco-friendly designs, will then design clothes using the leather offcuts. The Korean automaker said the three companies have been collaborating since May to develop an eco-friendly fashion line.

The 15-piece line will be showcased on the opening night of the 2020 Spring/Summer New York Fashion Week on Sept. 6 at the Public Kitchen restaurant in New York City. The collection will be introduced under the title Re:Style.

Hyundai Motor said it expects the clothing to be unique and elegant, considering diversified design patterns and the improved quality of car seat leather in recent cars.

“The event will present a vision for the creative reuse of automotive materials for fashion and connect with people who care deeply about the environment and seek more ethical consumption,” Hyundai said in a statement Wednesday.

Apart from the designer clothing, the automaker will also introduce T-shirts made from regenerated fibers collected from plastic bottles and tote bags made out of used car airbags during the fashion event to be held next month.

BY KIM JEE-HEE [kim.jeehee@joongang.co.kr]