Jack Prause, President of Cortina Leathers, joins us this week to discuss the brand’s latest silicone fabric options. Answering a call from customers for a wider range of high-performance outdoor fabrics available at a lower cost than leather, Cortina developed a more sustainable silicone alternative. The resulting product is available in a range of colors and desirable textures.
Raymond Paul Schneider: When did you first start to develop this new collection?
Jack Prause: Beginning in 2018 we began our research and found that the leather substitutes sold as “vegan” leathers which are applicable for use in upholstery applications are mostly petroleum-derived plastics such as polyurethane and polyester (90-98% in most cases) with a small amount of plant-derived material. As such, these products did not meet our environmental standards.
What we did find was the potential for a silicone-coated fabric that did meet our strict environmental standards, and offered the high performance and quality we require. Unlike petroleum-derived products like plastic, silicone is abundant on earth in an inexhaustible supply. In addition, the mining and production of silicone fabrics does not have the environmental impact or require the harsh chemicals that petroleum extraction, refining and production typically require.
RPS: What was the overall timeline from conception to achieving the final design?
JP: Overall we spent two years searching for the right product with a lasting design. Hundreds if not thousands of samples were received and tested, and dozens of companies researched and evaluated for environmental stewardship. It was a challenging but rewarding experience. We are currently working to develop and launch additional textures, looks and colors.
RPS: Please describe your overall creative and design process.
JP: Since this is not genuine leather, we needed to partner with a manufacturer of silicone with excellent technical expertise to develop the silicone fabrics, so the development process was different than our usual process with leathers in some steps, while some steps remain the same. We always begin with the customer to inform our designs. We discuss what properties, such as softness, performance, texture, look and colors they are looking for. We then partner with designers in each market we serve to suggest varieties of different looks (solid color, two-tone, textured, flat, etc.), feels (soft, firm, silky, draggy, smooth), colors and performance requirements that would work for each market. We then worked with the silicone manufacturer to develop a set of Silicone Fabrics that met our criteria to be a Cortina Silicone Fabric.
RPS: Did you have a specific audience or theme that you had in mind?
JP: We looked specifically for three separate customer sets – interior designers for homes, hospitality designers, and workspaces. In each case, we envisioned needs for outdoor furniture, high stain and wear applications such as dining or task seating, and since our design included the COVID period, we focused on materials that could be disinfected and cleaned. For all applications, we focused on three guiding principles of equal importance – beauty, performance, and environmental sustainability.
RPS: Did you utilize a new technique or technology to conceptualize this product?
JP: Silicone fabrics are a new product and technology, especially when we began the design process. So in many instances, product testing had not been completed, and in some cases, the proper test had not been designed. For example, for outdoor furniture, in particular when a fabric is exposed to bright sunlight, UV rays and periodically water, an effect called “pinking” can occur with vinyl. Obviously, we needed to make sure this did not happen with our Cortina Silicone Fabrics. We had to work with various testing labs to create a test that simulated years of exposure to harsh elements and temperature changes to simulate this application.
RPS: Describe your overall brand DNA and Ethos
JP: Cortina’s mission is to offer the most sustainable, high-performance, and beautifully designed leathers in the industry. We are the premier source of fine leathers for the interior design community worldwide. Combining the timeless artistry of Italian tanneries with the speed and precision of U.S. manufacturing, Cortina provides designers with over 700 leathers in stock as well as limitless possibilities when it comes to beautiful custom leather and fast strike-offs for any project’s specifications.
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