Karyme Altamirano
Marco Antonio Cardona Garza
jesus garcia
TecMilenio University (Universidad TecMilenio)
Susana Arenas
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OKA is an innovative Mexican company, founded by Ana Cristina Alfaro, dedicated to the production of handbags and accessories made from prickly pear cactus skin.
Its main objective is to revolutionize the fashion industry through sustainable products and processes.
Designed especially for those who exist in harmony with nature, people who exalt life and for those who consider Mexico as a synonym of land and greatness. OKA is for the people of Mexico.
Its main purpose is to put the name of Mexico on high; "We faithfully believe that the future of art and design is not only Mexican, it is also green".
The company fulfills two Sustainable Development Goals, also known as Global Goals, SDG 13 Climate Action, by offering products made from cactus skin, a vegan and sustainable skin that contributes to the regeneration and stability of the soil.
On the other hand, they contribute to SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production, since being accessories made from nopal skin, no chemicals such as herbicides or pesticides are used during the production process, the cactus remains unharmed when the nopal is harvested, large amounts of water are saved as it does not need irrigation, and it stimulates the agricultural sector.
Synthetic fur emerged as an alternative to replace animal fur due to the cruelty it entailed, however, it is harmful to the environment. For this reason, nopal skin was created, a sustainable and animal cruelty-free alternative; this skin is free of toxins, PVC, heavy materials and natural pigments.
Nopal skin is a highly sustainable material that does not have as high of an environmental footprint as animal leather. It is a textile, whose appearance and texture are very similar to that of animal or synthetic fur or leather.
The use of cactus skin is a sustainable and partially biodegradable innovation. The cactus skin production process begins with the selection and cutting of the cactus from the cactus stalk. Afterwards, they are put to dry in the open air for 3 days. Once the plant reaches the necessary moisture levels, the remains are pulverized and processed in a bed of organic cotton and mixed with natural dyes to achieve a variety of colors.
The resulting vegan leather fabrics are biodegradable, with customized textures, colors and flexibility. They are highly resistant and have a minimum durability of ten years.
As Ana Cristina said: "I want people to identify with the brand and not only for the products but also for the concept that I am a socially and mentally responsible company that seeks to make a change, that works with Mexican artisans and that my main goal is to put the name of Mexico on high"
Among the many benefits of prickly pear cactus skin you can find:
-The savings of large amounts of water since it does not need irrigation.
-It improves the biodiversity of the region.
-No chemicals such as herbicides or pesticides are used.
-When the cactus is harvested, the cactus remains unharmed.
-Stimulates the agricultural sector to plant more cactus.
-The cactus is not damaged, only the ripe leaves are cut and the rest is used in the food industry.
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OKA is an innovative Mexican company, dedicated to the production of handbags and accessories made from prickly pear cactus skin.