The banana leather is made of Tanee banana trees which naturally die after blossoming. Tanee is a type of banana tree that is commonly used in Thailand due to prevailing superstitions that it is haunted.
Crafting Process :
- Dead Banana Tree : After the Tanee banana plants blossom and naturally die, they are collected from local farmers rather than being discarded, making the process eco-friendly and sustainable.
- Slicing : The stems of the dead banana plants are carefully cut into thin sheets, preparing the raw material for further processing while retaining the natural fibers and textures of the tree. The climate influences the natural patterns and colors, which range from white in cooler seasons to red, purple, or sepia in warmer and rainy periods.
- Natural Baking : The freshly sliced banana sheets are laid out under the sun to naturally dry. This sun-drying process helps enhance the unique texture while preparing the material for further processing.
- Sheet Ironing : To further strengthen the material, the dried banana sheets undergo a gentle natural baking process with controlled temperature in a dark room, helping to solidify the texture and prepare it for the final step of the crafting process.
- Sheet Drying : The dried and baked banana sheets are ironed to smooth them out and fuse smaller pieces into larger, more workable sheets, providing a durable base for crafting.
- Natural Coating : A natural coating is applied to the banana sheets, which not only enhances their strength, flexibility, and resistance, but also fuses smaller pieces into larger, cohesive sheets.
- Design & Sewing : Finally, the coated banana leather sheets are cut, designed, and sewn into final products such as handbags and accessories, blending traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.