von Holzhausen

von Holzhausen is a Los Angeles-based materials and textile company founded in Malibu in 2015 by Vicki von Holzhausen, a former automotive designer. Rather than operating solely as a consumer fashion label, the company develops material technologies intended to replace conventional petroleum-derived plastics and animal-based or resource-intensive materials across several industries. Its work has been associated with accessories and fashion, but its commercial scope also includes furniture, footwear, aerospace, and automotive applications. The company emerged from von Holzhausen's experience in automotive design and initially concentrated on materials for handbags and related accessories. This starting point gave the business a design-led orientation: its materials are positioned not only as environmental substitutes but also as surfaces that can meet the aesthetic, tactile, and performance requirements expected of premium products. The company's development model combines plant-derived inputs, recycled fibers, and biodegradable technologies rather than relying on a single material family. Among its commercially available technologies are Technik, Banbū, and Liquidplant. Technik is a plant-based leather alternative designed for applications that traditionally use coated or synthetic leather. Banbū is a material technology derived from bamboo-related plant inputs and has been used in customized automotive interiors and other designed environments. Liquidplant is described as a fully plant-based plastic intended to replace petroleum-based plastics. The company has also developed biodegradation technology intended to help selected materials break down under landfill conditions, addressing the end-of-life problem that affects many synthetic alternatives. von Holzhausen has pursued partnerships and licensing or supply relationships beyond its original accessories focus. Collaborations have included product ranges associated with Apple and Dell, as well as custom interior work for automakers including Cupra, Koenigsegg, and Lexus. In 2024, the company's material was made available for the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Herman Miller, connecting its material platform with a major piece of modern furniture design. In 2025, designer Patricia Urquiola used von Holzhausen materials in a custom installation for Elle Decor's 35th anniversary at Salone del Mobile Milano. The brand's market positioning centers on sustainable material innovation at scale, with premium design and cross-industry adaptability as supporting themes. Its public profile has been reinforced by recognition from design, sustainability, and innovation programs, including the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards, Fast Company's World Changing Ideas and Innovation by Design programs, INC's Female Founder Awards, Wallpaper's Smart Space Awards, Red Dot Design Concept Awards, the Dezeen Awards, SXSW Innovation Awards, ITMF Sustainability and Innovation Awards, and Core77 Design Awards. Public reference material identifies the company as active and commercially oriented, but does not establish a precise current ownership structure, revenue figure, public listing, or complete executive roster.

von Holzhausen was established in Malibu in 2015 by Vicki von Holzhausen, a former automotive designer. The company's origin in automotive design helped shape its focus on engineered surfaces and materials rather than on conventional fashion-brand merchandising. Its initial development work centered on handbags and other accessories, where the company explored ways to provide a premium appearance and usable performance without relying on traditional animal leather or petroleum-heavy synthetics. Over time, von Holzhausen broadened its activity from finished accessories to material technologies that could be adopted by outside manufacturers and designers. The company uses plant-based inputs, recycled fibers, and biodegradable systems to create alternatives for multiple sectors. This expansion moved the business into a broader materials-company category, with applications identified in fashion, furniture, footwear, aerospace, and automotive design. The company has developed several commercially available products. Technik is a plant-based leather alternative intended for products that require a leather-like surface. Banbū is another material platform used in custom automotive interiors and other design applications. Liquidplant is described as a fully plant-based plastic developed as an alternative to petroleum-based plastic. Alongside these material families, von Holzhausen has worked on a biodegradation technology intended to permit material breakdown under landfill conditions. This addresses disposal and end-of-life concerns that can remain even when a material is marketed as plant-based or recycled. Partnerships have been an important part of the company's development and market reach. Public reference material identifies collaborations with Apple and Dell on product ranges sold internationally. In the automotive sector, the company has worked with Cupra, Koenigsegg, and Lexus on custom interiors using Banbū. These projects demonstrate an effort to move sustainable materials from niche accessories into high-specification commercial and industrial environments. The company's design collaborations continued in the furniture and interiors field. In 2024, von Holzhausen material became available for the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Herman Miller. In 2025, Patricia Urquiola used the company's materials in a custom installation for Elle Decor's 35th anniversary at Salone del Mobile Milano. Such projects associate the company with established design institutions while providing visible demonstrations of its material applications. von Holzhausen has also received recognition from sustainability, design, and innovation organizations. Listed recognitions include the SEAL Business Sustainability Awards, Fast Company's World Changing Ideas and Innovation by Design Awards, INC's Female Founder Awards, Wallpaper's Smart Space Awards, Red Dot Design Concept Awards, the Dezeen Awards, SXSW Innovation Awards, ITMF Sustainability and Innovation Awards, and Core77 Design Awards. Available reference material does not provide a complete chronology of corporate financing, ownership, leadership changes, manufacturing locations, or financial performance. The company is described as active, with its principal identity now centered on scalable sustainable material innovation across consumer and industrial applications.

• 2025

  Patricia Urquiola installation at Salone del Mobile Milano

  [1]Von Holzhausenen.wikipedia.org

  Patricia Urquiola used von Holzhausen materials in a custom Elle Decor 35th-anniversary installation at Salone del Mobile Milano.

• 2024

  Material introduced for the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman

  [1]Von Holzhausenen.wikipedia.org

  A von Holzhausen material became available for Herman Miller's Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, expanding the company's visible furniture applications.

• 2015

  Company founded in Malibu

  [1]Von Holzhausenen.wikipedia.org

  Vicki von Holzhausen founded the company in Malibu, initially focusing on materials for handbags and other accessories.

Design-led sustainable materials and luxury-grade alternatives to conventional leather and petroleum-based plastics.

• Plant-based leather alternative

  Technik

  Technik is one of von Holzhausen's commercially available material technologies. It is positioned as a plant-based alternative to conventional leather and is intended for premium products requiring a durable, designed surface. The reference material identifies the technology as part of the company's original and continuing work in accessories, while the broader platform can be applied across additional product categories.

• Plant-derived material

  Banbū

  Banbū is a commercially available von Holzhausen material used in custom applications, including automotive interiors. The company has worked with Cupra, Koenigsegg, and Lexus on vehicle interiors incorporating the material. Its role illustrates von Holzhausen's strategy of adapting sustainable surfaces for demanding transportation and design contexts rather than limiting them to small accessories.

• Plant-based plastic alternative

  Liquidplant

  Liquidplant is described as a fully plant-based plastic developed to replace petroleum-derived plastic. It is part of von Holzhausen's effort to create material alternatives that can be used at commercial scale. Public reference material does not specify the complete formulation, manufacturing process, performance specifications, or the full range of current products using Liquidplant.

• 2025Elle Decor 35th-anniversary installation

  Italy · International design industry

  Patricia Urquiola used von Holzhausen materials in a custom installation for Elle Decor's 35th anniversary at Salone del Mobile Milano.

  Outcome. The installation showcased the materials in an influential design-fair setting.

  Source
• 2024Herman Miller Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman application

  International

  A von Holzhausen material became available for the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman by Herman Miller.

  Outcome. The application connected the brand's material innovation with a widely recognized furniture design.

  Source
• Apple product collaboration

  International

  von Holzhausen partnered with Apple on product ranges using the company's sustainable materials. The reference identifies the products as being sold worldwide but does not specify the exact product names or campaign title.

  Outcome. The collaboration extended von Holzhausen materials into a globally distributed technology-product context.

  Source
• Dell product collaboration

  International

  The company worked with Dell on product ranges incorporating von Holzhausen materials. Available reference material does not identify the exact products or launch date.

  Outcome. The partnership provided another international application for the company's material technologies outside fashion and automotive design.

  Source
• Automotive interior collaborations

  International

  von Holzhausen collaborated with Cupra, Koenigsegg, and Lexus on custom automotive interiors using Banbū.

  Outcome. The projects demonstrated the use of the company's plant-derived material in high-end automotive interiors.

  Source

• 2015

  Begin with accessories and develop scalable material technologiesStrategy

  Background

  The company was founded as a design-led business focused initially on handbags and other accessories.

  Action taken

  It developed plant-based, recycled, and biodegradable materials intended for use beyond its own accessory products.

  Aftermath

  The business expanded into supplying or collaborating on materials for fashion, furniture, footwear, aerospace, and automotive applications.

  Source

• Commercial introduction of Technik, Banbū, and LiquidplantProduct launch

  Background

  von Holzhausen sought to commercialize alternatives to animal-based materials and petroleum-derived plastics.

  Action taken

  The company brought three identified technologies—Technik, Banbū, and Liquidplant—to commercial availability.

  Aftermath

  The products supported collaborations in accessories, automotive interiors, furniture, and other design-led applications.

  Source

• 2025

  Patricia Urquiola uses von Holzhausen materials in Elle Decor anniversary installation[1]Von Holzhausenen.wikipedia.org

  Campaign · Other

  Designer Patricia Urquiola incorporated von Holzhausen materials into a custom installation marking Elle Decor's 35th anniversary at Salone del Mobile Milano.

• 2024

  von Holzhausen material becomes available for the Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman[1]Von Holzhausenen.wikipedia.org

  Product launch · Other

  A von Holzhausen material was made available for Herman Miller's Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman, extending the company's sustainable-material platform into a prominent furniture design.

1. 1Von Holzhausenen.wikipedia.org