How is FOReT Making Accessories with Tomatoes, Banana Bark and Cork?

Imagine carrying a stylish handbag made from tomatoes. This isn't a part of a science fiction film or an AI-generated image but the innovative reality created by FOReT, a sustainable accessories brand transforming agricultural waste into fashion-forward pieces.

FOReT's latest breakthrough comes through collaboration with a sustainable leather brand - Bioleather, creating accessories from discarded tomato plant waste. This leather will be used to make wearable accessories that are free from harmful materials. "What is unique about this material is that it does not have any plastic component in it," explains Supriya Satam, founder of FOReT. The process extracts fibres from tomato stems and leaves, blending them with natural binders and reinforcing them with cotton backing to create a material that's biodegradable, durable, and completely free from harmful PU and PVC plastics.

"You're tackling two problems," Satam points out. "One is the wastage that could have been there from the food industry, and the other is taking care of a material which would have otherwise caused pollution."

This innovation is just the latest chapter in FOReT's sustainable materials story, which began with Satam's desire to bridge the gap in eco-friendly accessories. "When I started reading and researching about the impact that fashion has in a very negative sense, it did not connect with the feelings that I had always thought about when it came to fashion," she shares. "I felt that a choice that we have should not have a negative influence on the world around us."

While sustainable textiles like organic cotton have become more common, Satam noticed accessories remained dominated by polluting materials—either animal skin or non-biodegradable plastics. FOReT was born to change this landscape. The brand first made its mark with cork, which Satam personally sources from European factories. Another innovative material in their collection is banana bark. "Whenever the banana tree bears fruit, it dies. And the bark is usually either wasted or converted into manure or burned," Supriya explains. FOReT works with rural artisans who transform this discarded bark into durable ropes, which are then crafted into beautiful accessories.

Instead of synthetic embellishments, FOReT incorporates seeds derived from forests, handloom cotton for lining, and stainless steel for jewellery components. Creating products from these natural materials requires a completely different approach to design. "Every material comes with its own nature and texture," says the founder. Rather than forcing these materials to behave like conventional ones, FOReT designs products that highlight their natural properties, customising tools and techniques for each material.

While FOReT keeps its upcoming Bioleather product launches under wraps, Supriya hints at new handbags and tech accessories on the horizon. With each innovation, the brand continues to demonstrate that sustainable fashion can be both beautiful and environmentally responsible, transforming agricultural waste into accessories that conscious consumers can proudly carry.