Adrián López Velarde and Marte Cázarez, two Mexican entrepreneurs, are pioneering sustainable vegan fashion through their innovative cactus leather, Desserto. By transforming cacti into a leather alternative, they have attracted collaborations with renowned global brands like Karl Lagerfeld, BMW, Givenchy, Adidas, and H&M. Their company, Adriano Di Marti, has also expanded into the automotive industry with Deserttex, a cactus-based material for cars.

Their eco-friendly farming practices in Zacatecas, México, are impressive: they grow cacti without irrigation, relying solely on rainwater, and harvest mature leaves without damaging the plant, ensuring it can regenerate in 6 to 8 months. Each plantation lasts around eight years. Cacti’s role as natural carbon sinks further boosts their sustainability efforts; their farm absorbs approximately 8,100 tons of CO2 annually.

After harvesting, the cactus leaves are sun-dried and processed into organic, pesticide-free leather. Notably, leftover cactus material is sold as food within Mexico. Beyond leather, Desserto is branching into yarn production, incorporating “cactus bio-compounds” to create fibers for footwear, accessories, and interior design. This innovative approach blends sustainability with high-performance, targeting niche markets with biodegradable, eco-conscious fashion solutions.