From Seats to Stories: How Recycled Leather Became Fashion with Purpose
What if discarded airplane leather could become the foundation of hope, creativity, and transformation? This is exactly what has transpired in Turrialba, Costa Rica, where ten talented women have unveiled Leather & Studs, a fashion collection born from recycled aircraft seats—demonstrating that sustainability and social innovation can go hand in hand.
Through the Repurpose with Purpose program by Southwest Airlines, over 12,000 airplane seats have been granted a second life. In collaboration with CATIE (Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center), this initiative has turned what was once considered waste into an opportunity to empower women in rural communities.
At CATIE’s Leather Workshop, over 200 women have received hands-on training in sustainable leather craftsmanship. These women are not only acquiring a trade—they are building independence, generating income, and reclaiming dignity through design. Their inaugural collection, Leather & Studs, debuted in May 2025 at a runway event in San José, featuring creative direction from Víctor Alemán and production by Innov8 Productions S.A.
““We’re not just artisans anymore. We are designers.””
Repurpose with Purpose has already invested more than $1.3 million USD in Costa Rica, demonstrating that when communities are empowered, innovation thrives. The Leather & Studs show was not merely a fashion event but a celebration of resilience, identity, and sustainable transformation.
The Tropics Foundation proudly supports initiatives like this, where environmental consciousness intersects with community-driven impact. These women are redefining the concept of beauty—creating not just accessories but a brighter future.
📬 For those interested in supporting or learning more, please contact: cuero@catie.ac.cr
#LeatherAndStuds #RepurposeWithPurpose #WomenEmpowerment #Sustainability #CircularEconomy #TheTropicsFoundation #CATIE #SouthwestAirlines #DesignForChange #FromWasteToWorth
Written by: Evelyn Chaves Jaén
Unit of Environmental Economics and Sustainable Agribusiness
CATIE
📧 evelyn.chaves@catie.ac.cr
Edited by: Estefanie Ramírez Brenes