Fracking Design is a certified B company that is responsible for reusing the big bags (bags of sand) discarded by oil companies in the Vaca Muerta field and converting them into leather goods.
East Project was born from the personal search of three sisters, Carla, Ornella and Mora Basilotta, who before forming Fracking Design they had managed to position the Basilotta clothing brand but, after 10 years in the industry, they wanted to take a more sustainable course.
This is how in 2018, in the midst of her transformation towards sustainable fashion, Ornella traveled to Neuquén in search of raw material for a new collection, but to her surprise, she finds that big bags can be the answer to what, as designers were looking for, which gave way to what is now Fracking Design.
Ornella explains, in an interview for Minute Argentina, that these bags that are used for oil extraction, once they serve their purpose, are discarded and after a grinding process they are burned, which generates high levels of pollution.
Although the oil companies see the bags as waste, Ornella, Carla and Mora had another look at it. They saw in this material an excellent raw material to manufacture leather goods and accessories, such as bags, backpacks and wallets..
The creation of this project not only ratified the sisters’ commitment to the environment, but also allowed them to generate a positive impact both towards the families they work with and towards their clients.
As designers “they had a need to change”, Ornella confesses to Minuto Argentina, who also points out that ten years ago “she felt that the legacy she was leaving was not good”, so after finding in the bags, more than a residue, a new material to create and innovate, they give life to that new dream called Fracking Design.
Their need for change was such that their initial Basilotta brand disappeared over time, as the sisters focused 100% on growing their new project, which was more in line with their values and future desires.
“Don’t sacrifice your style for ethics”, the flagship motto of Fracking Design
Although the transformation process from Basilotta to Fracking Design It was not easy and it was a period full of challenges, the designers took hold of their flagship motto to grow their company: “Don’t sacrifice your style for ethics”.
Through this message, the company seeks not only to leave a legacy in its customers and draw their attention, but also to demonstrate that high quality products can be manufactured that are modern, striking, practical and beautiful, which can compete with any another brand on the market.
“We are proud that consumers choose us because they liked the product and thought it was nice to use it beyond history” (of the company). And later, when they learn the story, customers discover all the added value behind each product.
For this reason, through this initiative they insist that “fashion can be made and a beautiful and quality product can be made, without sacrificing values”, because with each product manufactured and marketed, a great social and environmental impact is generated.
To understand it in the real “dimensions”, as Ornella says in an interview for Minuto Argentina, you must first understand that sand is one of the main components in the oil extraction process.
In terms of numbers, An oil well uses approximately 40,000 tons of sand (for the entire capacity of the well), which is equivalent to 26,500 bags, which are discarded at the end of the process..
In relation to Vaca Muerta, which is the place where the company reuses the bags, 10 million tons of sand are used each year, which translates into thousands of big bags that pollute, this, added to the clandestine burning of waste exacerbates the climate crisis.
According to Ornella, to absorb the amounts of carbon dioxide generated by burning the pockets, in one year, more than 1,000 trees would be needed, so with the work of Fracking Design they really generate a change.
In addition to the fact that the company generates a benefit for the environment, by reusing resources that are discarded, they also promote a social impact throughout their production chain, since they promote fair work and labor inclusion.
“We ensure a transparent and responsible value chain”, for this reason, in his project, through different cooperatives, today 40 families work who are assured a permanent job throughout the year.
Authenticity, the added value of the company
In addition to the fact that the designs have the highest quality and generate a social and environmental impact, Fracking Design is characterized by delivering unique and original products to its consumers.
This is thanks to the fact that their bags, backpacks, wallets and other accessories, in addition to being functional, are all different, since in the production process they take advantage of the brands and letters that each bag brings to, from there, make exclusive designs.
“We chose to respect these stamps because this speaks of the traceability and origin of the material, so there is no product that is the same as another, but they do carry this same message of awareness.”
In addition to the fact that the company recycles the bags, it works with discarded leather to complement its designs and due to the same request from its consumers, they have created a completely vegan line, which responds to the needs of the current market.
“There was a need in the market that was not covered,” says Ornella for Minuto Argentina, not only to highlight that Fracking has been very well received by the public, but has also understood the needs and demands of its consumers and, under this line, produces articles that are in tune with it.
This, especially if you take into account that every day there are more people concerned about responsible consumption, is the reason why they look for products and brands that also respect and spread this premise as one of their values.
Thus, the company plans to continue in constant evolution and growth, which implies expanding the brand much more, even reaching the international marketwhere they have already had an approach, mainly in Spain, in addition to shipping worldwide.
Likewise, they use the hard experience they have built up for years, they do activism from their products and share what their process has been to promote a greater change in society towards sustainability.
For this reason, Carla, Mora and Ornella, now more than ever, are determined, as sisters and as a company, to offer a premium product to make their project grow and, in turn, generate a greater economic, social and environmental impact, since they are convinced that this is not only the path to the future, but the key to success.
