No longer just for wine stoppers and bulletin boards, cork has found its way into the fashion industry and one local designer is unleashing the style potential of this versatile material.
Deep Cove resident Martha Vainer this year launched Cork by Design, a line of purses and handbags made of, you guessed it, cork.
"It's super sustainable, recyclable and no harsh chemicals are involved," she says of the material.
Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak tree, which is grown and harvested primarily in Portugal, as well as Spain, Italy and Northwest Africa.
The bark regenerates itself after each extraction and can be harvested once every nine years.
Traditionally used in the production of bottle stoppers, Vainer says cork bark is being transformed into plenty of alternative products now that many wineries have switched to more economical synthetic stoppers.
She discovered the material while travelling in Portugal. There, she purchased a few cork accessories - a bag, a belt - and couldn't believe the number of compliments she received back home in Canada.
"Everybody kept commenting and I said, 'Well, you know what, there's something there.' I've always wanted to have my own business."
Originally from Mexico City, where she worked as a dentist, Vainer moved to the North Shore almost 18 years ago. She had small children at the time, so going back to school to get her licence to practise dentistry in Canada wasn't an option. Instead, she worked in sales until just recently venturing fulltime into handbags. All Cork by Design products are conceived in Vainer's home studio, then handmade in Portugal where the cork is sourced.
Working in fashion was a natural career choice for Vainer, whose grandfather was a leather craftsman. She remembers visiting his manufacturing plant in Mexico City as a child, watching the workers and creating things out of leather scraps.
Vainer likes to refer to cork as "nature's leather" and lists the material's other positive qualities - it's hypo-allergenic, fire retardant and durable.
"It's water repellent," she adds, "which is perfect for the Vancouver weather."
Her finished products also have a pleasant texture, she says. "When you touch the bag, you cannot believe the softness of it and the lightness, so it's excellent for travel."
Vainer's line includes natural cork bags, as well as colourful pieces dyed with a water-based stain. Anticipating winter, she has designed a new collection of black bags to match the season's dark umbrellas and rain gear.
A largely self-taught designer, Vainer says she is still finding her signature style. Looking ahead, she says she is excited to continue experimenting with shapes and colours and hopes to get her cork products into stores across North America.
Currently, Cork by Design handbags are available online (corkbydesign.com) and at select retailers, including Red Horses Gallery in Dundarave Village and Colette's Frocks in Lower Lonsdale. Pieces range in price from $70 for a mini satchel to $190 for a large bag with a removable insert.
