An innovative plant-based material from Italy – made from what the wine industry leaves behind.
Every year, Europe's vineyards produce millions of tonnes of waste – grape skins, seeds and marc. For decades, they ended up on compost heaps or were incinerated. Today, they become one of the most innovative vegan materials in the fashion industry.
This is Vegea®. And this is the story behind it.
What is Vegea®?
Vegea® is an innovative plant-based leather from Italy, made from wine production waste – grape skins, seeds and marc – combined with vegetable oils and natural fibres from agriculture. It is completely free from animal components and petroleum derivatives. The material was developed in 2016 by the Milan-based company Vegea Company and carries the certifications REACH Compliance, Vegan, GOTS and Global Recycled Standard.
Where does Vegea® come from?
The story begins in Milan, 2016. Vegea Company is founded with a simple but radical idea: to transform agricultural biomass – particularly wine production waste – into high-quality materials for fashion, furniture and packaging.
The idea convinced not just the fashion industry. Vegea® won the Global Change Award by the H&M Foundation – one of the most prestigious prizes for innovation in fashion, awarded to projects that accelerate the shift from a linear to a circular fashion industry.
Today, Vegea Company works with leading fashion companies and produces its material exclusively in Italy – with a clear commitment to transparency, circular economy and local craftsmanship.
What exactly is Vegea® made from?
This sounds like chemistry – but it is surprisingly straightforward.
Vegea® consists of three main components:
Grape waste from wine production – skins, seeds and marc left over after fermentation. This biomass would otherwise be waste.
Vegetable oils – used as a binder and for surface finishing, replacing petrochemical substances.
Natural fibres from agriculture – providing the structural base of the material.
The result is a coated fabric – soft, supple and with a surface that recalls classic leather. Without a single animal. Without petroleum. Made in Italy.
Vegea® vs Viridis® – what is the difference?
Plant Inside uses both materials – and that is no coincidence. Vegea® and Viridis® are two completely different characters.
Vegea® is softer and more supple. It moulds to the contents, falls naturally and develops more character over time. Ideal for bags that need volume and flexibility – like our Shopper Bag Black Matt.
Viridis® is firmer and more structured. It retains its shape even without contents and stands upright on any surface. Ideal for bags that need structure and precision – like our Crossbody Bag, Laptop Bag or Weekend Bag.
Neither is better. They are different – and are used intentionally for different products.
Vegea® certifications – what they mean in practice
Vegea® carries four important certifications:
REACH Compliance – the material meets the most stringent European requirements for chemical safety. No harmful substances, no hidden risks.
Vegan – completely free from animal components across the entire supply chain. No leather, no animal-based adhesives, no animal-derived dyes.
GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) – one of the most rigorous international standards for textiles. Certifies ecological and social criteria across the entire production chain.
Global Recycled Standard (GRS) – certifies the use of recycled materials and ensures traceability, environmental principles and social responsibility across the entire supply chain.
Plant Inside as a brand is additionally PETA-Approved Vegan certified.
How does Vegea® perform in everyday use?
The honest answer: surprisingly well.
Vegea® is water-resistant and easy to maintain. For most marks, a damp cloth with mild soap is enough. Once dry, the surface looks as good as new.
What sets Vegea® apart from other materials: it becomes softer and develops its own character over time – not through colour change at the edges like Viridis®, but through an increasing suppleness of the surface.
Everything you need to know about caring for vegan bags properly – for Vegea® and other materials – is covered in our detailed guide How to Clean a Vegan Bag Properly (Without Damaging It).
Why Plant Inside chose Vegea®
Behind this decision there is a story.
Anna is a master leatherworker in Malbork – the hometown of the Plant Inside founders. The connection goes deeper than a simple business relationship: one of the founders' wife bought her first bags from Anna over 15 years ago. All of them are still in daily use today. That says everything about Anna's quality.
For four years, Anna has been hand-sewing Plant Inside bags in her workshop in Malbork. When Kinga – the designer behind the Shopper Bag – spent long hours working with Anna to perfect the product, it was Anna who recommended Vegea®. A master leatherworker who has spent her entire life working with materials recognised immediately: this soft, draped material is exactly right for a bag that should adapt to life – not the other way around.
The design of the Shopper Bag evolved significantly through this collaboration. Anna's practical expertise and Kinga's perfectionism created a product that was tested and refined over many months – before it ever reached the market.
Who is Vegea® the right material for?
Vegea® is the right choice if you:
- prefer a soft, draped bag that moulds to the contents
- value innovative materials from the circular economy
- want a material that becomes softer and more characterful over time
- appreciate Italian production and the highest certification standards
Discover our Shopper Bag Black Matt – the first Plant Inside bag made from Vegea® grape leather.
FAQ
What is Vegea® and what is it made from?
Vegea® is a vegan leather from Italy, made from wine production waste – grape skins, seeds and marc – combined with vegetable oils and natural fibres. It contains no animal components and no petroleum derivatives.
Is Vegea® sustainable?
Yes. Vegea® uses biomass that would otherwise go to waste and transforms it into high-quality material. It carries the certifications REACH Compliance, Vegan, GOTS and Global Recycled Standard – and was awarded the Global Change Award by the H&M Foundation.
How does Vegea® differ from Viridis®?
Vegea® is softer and more supple – ideal for draped, flexible forms. Viridis® is firmer and more structured – ideal for bags that need to retain their shape. Plant Inside uses both materials intentionally for different products.
How do you care for Vegea®?
A damp cloth with mild soap is enough for most marks. No washing machine, no harsh chemicals. Once dry, the surface looks as good as new.
Is Vegea® PETA-certified?
Vegea® itself carries the Vegan certification. Plant Inside as a brand is additionally PETA-Approved Vegan certified.
Which Plant Inside products are made from Vegea®?
The Shopper Bag Black Matt is currently the first Plant Inside product made from Vegea®. Further models are in development.
Explore all products made from vegan materials in our Shopper Bag collection.