P448 Launches Its Next Invasive Skins Capsule With the Ta'ape Fish Utilizing Innovative Chromium-Free Tanning Process

Partnering with Nonprofit Conservation International, P448 Continues Its Mission to Educate & Bring Awareness to the Use of Invasive Fish Skins as an Emerging Trim Material in Sustainable Footwear Manufacturing

NEW YORK, N.Y. (April 14, 2025) – For the Spring 2025 season, P448 Project Sustainability launches its 3rd invasive fish leather capsule with the bluestripe snapper, known locally in Hawaiʻi by its Tahitian name, ta‘ape. The launch follows previous P448 invasive fish leather capsules, which included the lionfish and carp. This is a dedicated capsule to bring awareness to the issues posed by ta‘ape to Hawaii’s fragile ecosystems and highlights a new alternative to the leather category with invasive fish. 

“We see using the skins of invasive species in our footwear as an opportunity to help prevent future environmental degradation, while repurposing existing resources and replacing other materials in the process,” said Wayne Kulkin, CEO of P448.

Easily identified by its electric-blue stripes and lemon-yellow skin, the bluestripe snapper, or ta‘ape, is a striking tropical fish. Ta‘ape were first introduced to the eastern shores of the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi seven decades ago from the South Pacific with the original intent to provide additional fishing opportunities and food sources for Hawaiʻi. Ta‘ape, which naturally school in the hundreds and even thousands, quickly swelled to an unwelcomed spread across the 1,500-mile Hawaiian archipelago ranging from shallow reefs to ocean depths of over 6400 feet. As an invasive species, the ta‘ape are competing with native fish for food and habitat, while also causing losses for the local fishing industry by invading and even taking over local fishing spots pushing native fish out of their homes.

Through its partnership with Conservation International—a leading environmental non-profit focused on science, policy, and collaboration with businesses, governments, and communities—P448 has sourced 2,000 ta‘ape skins from the island of Moloka‘i for this capsule collection. This collaboration builds on the Ta‘ape Project, launched in 2020 by Conservation International Hawai‘i in partnership with local nonprofit Chef Hui, to encourage consumption of the invasive reef fish, supporting the local economy, improving island food security and reducing the species' environmental impact. CI’s partnership with P448 is the first outside of the food industry connecting local fishers to the fashion industry to utilize the skins of the caught ta‘ape fish for footwear manufacturing. Thus, creating a new market for ta‘ape skins while offering a sustainable business opportunity for the community.

“Throughout the globe, climate change is expected to exacerbate the impacts of invasive species. We need to be developing solutions to address this challenge while meeting other growing needs such as food security and community resilience. We are honored to be a part of this innovative collaboration because it does exactly that. By removing ta‘ape, the initiative benefits Hawaii’s native marine life, feeds communities, and supports the local economy,” said Matt Ramsey, Senior Director, Conservation International’s Hawai‘i program. “Additionally with the lack of government-led programs to tackle the challenge of ta‘ape, this initiative directly addresses these gaps.”

Moloka‘i, where the fish were sourced by net for this capsule, is one of the most rural of Hawaii’s major islands with a population of 7,400 nestled between O‘ahu and Maui. The island remains untouched by mass tourism. In fact, there are no traffic lights on the island and no buildings can be constructed taller than a palm tree. In essence, it is considered the last real Hawai‘i in which the land is chief and man is servant. With an economically challenged community, there is a deep-rooted value in talking care of your neighbor on Moloka‘i. Thus, P448 is proud to partake in the circular economy of this project as after the fish had been skinned, the meat was donated to a local charter school and allocated as food security for people in need within the community. The fish bones were used as fertilizer for a local farm, while the rest of the fish donated to science research at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to aid in its reproduction study on ta‘ape.

While ta‘ape has been tanned by native islanders, it has never been processed to ta‘ape fish leather on a commercial scale. It takes months of research, testing and trial samples to ensure that the skins are able to be properly used in a wearable yet durable pair of P448 sneakers. With sustainability in mind, P448 partnered with Aquaborne, a tannery that specializes in aquatic leather manufacturing utilizing only eco-friendly materials and processes (with no heavy metals nor Chromium 6) to transform the ta‘ape into fish leather. The proprietary hybrid tanning method that combines an organic tanning agent with vegetable tanning materials is chrome-free, metal-free, aldehyde-free, and glutaraldehyde-free—plus it is biodegradable. Developing a more efficient tanning approach, Aquaborne reduced the ta‘ape tanning process to just 6 steps eliminating the pickling and basification steps. Thus, with its significant reduction in salts and acids, the process saved 80% of water and energy used when compared to traditional tanning processes. With a 7-10 day start to finish process, the end result is a soft, supple yet pliable ta‘ape fish leather of which two skins are utilized per shoe. For coloring, wet-end leather dyes from Stahl that are free of N-methylpyrrolidone were utilized in the process. These dyes also comply with the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL).

“Tanning cold-blooded fish skins is completely different than tanning hides from cattle or other warm-blooded animals,” said Nodar Narsavidze, Managing Partner at Aquaborne. “Layered with the fact that each fish skin is unique, the process can become quite complex as what can work with one fish skin may not apply to another fish skin.”

P448 strives to work & collaborate with certified suppliers, complaint materials, local factories and eco-friendly components. In this capsule, P448 has recycled insoles, GRS certified bottoms, bio-based synthetic leather lining, recycled cotton laces, Evolo recycled suede tongue and heel trim as well as ByPell recycled leather on main body. The iconic low-top JOHN sneaker is chicly detailed with ta‘ape fish leather on its heel in a rainbow of colors from yellow, blue, orange, fuchsia to vanilla. The ta‘ape is a limited capsule in which each pair are numbered, are available at www.p448.com and select global wholesale partners with a suggested retail price of $298. Ten percent of the purchase price will help Conservation International protect oceans around the globe.

The brand’s ™ design packaging places its environmental conscious mindset to the forefront of its shipping process as it eliminates the need for a box within a box. P448 products only use in its shipping process a multi-purpose dustbag, which serves to protect the shoes during shipping and doubles as a tote after the shoes are removed. The totes are made with 100% recycled materials, of which no dyes are used in fabric process to reduce any chemical byproduct of printing process, plus has UPC sticker and QR code for care tips to remove need for printed product care cards. The functional dustbag saves overs 2lbs of paper waste per order by eliminating the shoe box.

P448’s main focus is to educate its consumers as well as influence the fashion world in a positive way through its regenerative sustainability practices. One effective tool in helping achieve that goal is through producing films spreading awareness about each invasive species affecting our planet. The ta‘ape cinematic docu-movie allows the viewer to experience the complete P448 story through the eyes of the local community of Moloka‘i. Whilst at the same time delivering a new education on Hawaiʻi, which is considered by scientists to be one of the invasive species capitals of the world, with more than 5,000 non-native plants and animals that cost the state tens of millions of dollars each year.

P448 is extremely honored to announce that its past regenerative sustainability film on the lionfish story by Perry Curties, was chosen for official selection to the 2023 London Fashion Film Festival, the 2023 International Film Festival Bolton, the 2023 Berlin Fashion Festival and 2024 Canadian International Fashion Film Festival; plus, the film was winner Seattle International Fashion Film Festival 2023 “Best Technical Achievement” and winner Coupe D’Or Fashion Film Festival Chicago 2023 “Best Documentary”. Also, the Burmese Python film is following in its footsteps as has been chosen for official selection for the 2024 London Fashion Film Festival, 2024 New York City International Fashion Film Festival and 2024 UK Aesthetica Film Festival. 

P448 is also proud to announce that we have been certified with the Butterfly Mark, a symbol of the Real Changemakers in luxury. Powered by Positive Luxury, The Butterfly Mark is only ever awarded to brands that meet higher and higher standards for people and nature. To earn the Butterfly Mark, we had to pass an expert-led, independent assessment which is built on the foundation of international agreements, global frameworks and standards, and even potential upcoming legislation. It covers all areas of sustainability: Environment, Social and Governance. Passing the assessment is a landmark moment in our sustainability journey. The Butterfly Mark is a symbol that we stand for progress over perfection, difficult work over easy wins, and that we will never stop trying to improve. We are now part of a growing movement of luxury brands that are committed to transforming luxury, for the good of all.

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ABOUT CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL | About Conservation International: Conservation International protects nature for the benefit of humanity. Through science, policy, fieldwork and finance, we spotlight and secure the most important places in nature for the climate, for biodiversity and for people. With offices in 30 countries and projects in more than 100 countries, Conservation International partners with governments, companies, civil society, Indigenous peoples and local communities to help people and nature thrive together. Visit Conservation.org for more, and follow us on Conservation News, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Instagram and YouTube. 

ABOUT P448 | P448 is an Italian streetwear brand whose collections are designed to empower the individual in their own authenticity. Our sneakers are thoughtfully designed and crafted in Italy by master artisans. They are worn by makers and creators across the globe. Defined by an eclectic aesthetic, we take inspiration from the streets, underpinned by the underground spirit of subculture. Fans include Bradley Cooper, Joe Jonas, Jon Hamm, Ben Affleck, Taylor Lautner, Robert Downey Jr., Jennifer Lawrence, Addison Rae, Taylor Swift, Dakota Fanning, Gabrielle Union, Kiki Layne, Rita Ora Chelsea Handler, Kate Hudson, Olivia Culpo, Riley Keough, Jessica Biel and more…

Under the brand’s “Project Sustainability” umbrella, marks P448’s most eco-conscious innovations – including sneakers made using recycled and upcycled leather and suede, invasive species skins, vegan apple leather and algae. P448 products are made with the future of the planet in mind. Since inception, P448 has remained passionately dedicated to researching and developing products that reduce our planetary footprint in order to make the world cleaner and better.

In 2020, Wayne Kulkin took on full ownership of P448 through StreetTrend LLC, in a joint venture partnership with the financial services and brand investment firm Hilco Global. StreetTrend was formed in 2017 as JV partnership with Jeffrey Hecktman, CEO of the international investment and financial services company Hilco Global, a firm with holdings in several retail and fashion brands. Mark Wahlberg has recently become a strategic investor in the Company having taken a significant minority stake in the business. P448 has since opened stores in New York City Boston and Las Vegas.

StreetTrend designs, manufactures, distributes, and sells several footwear brands including P448 luxury sneakers at select boutiques and online at www.P448.com.