Balenciaga follows its award-winning Triple S Bananatex sneaker with the Unity Backpack, reinforcing its mission to push plant-based, circular materials into luxury fashion’s mainstream.
The material innovation house behind one of Balenciaga’s most unexpected launches is moving from sneakers to accessories. Following the debut of the Triple S sneaker crafted in Bananatex, the Swiss-developed textile is appearing in another design for the Spanish luxury house: the Unity Backpack.
The announcement was shared by QWSTION co-founder Hannes Schoenegger in a statement on LinkedIn. The Bananatex producer says that it positions the backpack as the next step in an evolving partnership with one of the world’s most influential fashion houses. “After the successful launch of the Triple S — which was awarded Best Vegan Sneaker 2024 by PETA — we are very proud to present the next chapter: The Unity Backpack,” Schoenegger said.
Schoenegger says developing a next-gen material to a market-ready level, and getting it approved by different industries, “is a challenging process — and even more so in today’s extremely difficult environment.”
From Triple S to Unity
When Balenciaga introduced the Triple S sneaker in Bananatex last year, the move was hailed as a milestone for luxury fashion. The Triple S, already considered a cult silhouette since its 2017 debut, became a canvas for testing how natural fibres could meet the performance standards of a high-profile streetwear staple. Available in black and natural white, the sneaker incorporated Bananatex’s plant-based textile coated with a biobased finish rather than conventional plastics.
The recognition from PETA underscored its impact, placing the sneaker within a growing movement of animal-free, sustainable luxury goods. For Bananatex, the sneaker served as proof that its fabric — derived entirely from abacá banana plants cultivated within biodiversity-friendly agroforestry systems in the Philippines — was not only technically viable but culturally resonant.
The material at the center
Bananatex was developed by QWSTION in partnership with Taiwanese yarn and weaving specialists. Its breakthrough lies in combining strength, pliability, and biodegradability. The abacá plants that provide the raw fiber require no pesticides, fertilizers, or irrigation beyond rainfall, making the crop one of the most sustainable in commercial use.
Beyond Balenciaga, Bananatex has steadily built its reputation across the luxury and contemporary spectrum. Stella McCartney, long a leader in plant-based fashion, has featured the fabric in limited-edition accessories, while COS has experimented with Bananatex in minimalist tote designs. German luxury house MCM unveiled a collection of backpacks and accessories made with the textile, linking its heritage in leather goods to a more sustainable future. Even mass retailers have taken note: H&M incorporated Bananatex into its Innovation Stories line, signaling its potential for scalability.
Each collaboration underscores the fabric’s adaptability, from high-end streetwear to mainstream retail, and illustrates how the abacá-based material can replace synthetics without compromising aesthetics or durability. For Bananatex, these partnerships demonstrate its relevance beyond a single headline-grabbing release, mapping a trajectory toward industry-wide adoption that could redefine how luxury engages with natural fibers.
But the partnership with Balenciaga has elevated it firmly into the luxury mainstream. The Unity Backpack continues this trajectory, expanding beyond footwear into a category synonymous with both utility and style.
“Getting to work with one of the most influential fashion houses is another major milestone — but turning this into an ongoing cooperation is what really matters,” Schoenegger says. “There will be no impact without meaningful partnerships that shift toward circular and plant-based alternatives like Bananatex.”
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