Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. is working with Mexican fashion label Carla Fernandez to upcycle hundreds of pounds of leather from airplane seat covers into consumer goods.

Southwest Airlines has reached a multiyear collaboration with Mexican fashion label Carla Fernández that will upcycle hundreds of pounds of leather from airplane seat covers. [Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines]

The line of products is called LUV Seat: Mexico, and the recycled seat covers will be handcrafted by indigenous artisans in seven communities in Mexico.

The products will range from shoes and bags, to ponchos and key chains, Southwest said in a release.

PROGRAM FOLLOWS SOUTHWEST RETROFIT OF AIRPLANES

The line is an expansion of Southwest’s Repurpose with a Purpose global sustainability initiative that kicked off in 2013 after the airline’s Evolve retrofit program to replace leather seat covers in aircraft.

Providing the leader to Carla Fernandez reduces the amount of waste Southwest sends to landfills, as well as generating social and economic opportunities for the communities in Mexico.

“Southwest Airlines is proud to partner with Carla Fernández on LUV Seat: Mexico as a part of our Repurpose with Purpose program,” Bill Tiffany, Southwest Airlines vice president of supply chain management, said in the release. “Through this impactful program, indigenous artisans have been able to incorporate their trades into the designs to create some incredible pieces while learning essential economic development skills through entrepreneurial training programs.” 

Carla Fernandez is a Mexico City-based fashion label that is inspired by the geometrics and rich textile base of Mexico.

[Photo courtesy of Southwest Airlines]

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