In a bid to build a sustainable and ethical future for the luxury materials industry, three companies have joined forces to create the world’s first T-Rex leather handbag. Dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years, but thanks to cutting-edge technology and genetic research, humankind has apparently become able to use T-Rex DNA to create synthetic, lab-grown dinosaur leather. In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Creative agency VML has joined forces with genomic engineering startup The Organoid Company and biotechnology innovators Lab-Grown Leather Ltd. to produce a high-quality alternative to traditional leather that is both cruelty-free and sustainable. Using a protein found in a Tyrannosaurus fossil from about 80 million years ago as inspiration, The Organoid Company and Lab-Grown Leather have been able to synthesize a next-generation material that features the durability and repairability of T-Rex skin. Read More »

Using only a couple of knives, a handful of scalpels and some special waxes, young Mark Evans turns pieces of leather into unique works of art. All Mark Evans needs to create art out of cow hide is a knife, time and inspiration. Days, sometimes weeks, even months go by until his work is completed, but after all the etching and carving, a masterpiece is revealed. As if he he’s painting with a blade, mark is able to create mindblowing tonal pieces. It all started when he was just seven years old, growing up in the Welsh Mountains. His grandfather gave him a knife and he began carving shapes in tree bark. Later he studied fine art, in London, and although he worked with more conventional materials, he could never get over his passion for playing with knives Have a look at some of his most important leather paintings and also check out his official site. Photos via Buzz Beast Read More »