Luxury and innovation often collide in the most unexpected ways and in this case, it smells a little citrusy.

The Microlino microcar, an electric city vehicle redefining sustainable urban mobility, has taken a bold leap in interior design. Instead of traditional leather, the interior is lined with Ohoskin — a revolutionary material crafted from Sicilian orange peels and cactus fibers. This plant-based alternative to leather is the work of Italian material-tech company Ohoskin, whose mission is to redefine sustainability without compromising on luxury.

Ohoskin speaks to the future of what I call “silent luxury”  where value lies not in loud branding but in considered choices, ethical sourcing, and beautifully made materials.

As shared in a recent Instagram post by the Microlino official page, this interior innovation isn’t just about being eco-conscious it’s about embracing cruelty-free, circular design that respects Italy’s natural resources and legacy of craftsmanship.

Orange is my favourite colour and I drive an orange car here in South East Asia.

orange hat suzuki

koh samui thailand

Koh Samui wearing silk orange

From Citrus to Sophistication

Ohoskin doesn’t just look good; it tells a story. By transforming what would otherwise be waste orange peels from Sicily’s juicing industry and combining them with the strength and flexibility of cactus fibers, Ohoskin has created a tactile, visually rich alternative to leather. The result? A material that feels luxurious, performs durably, and supports a cleaner, kinder future.

microlino-orange-vegan

A Tuscan Connection

As someone who lives in Tuscany among 10,000 olive trees, I understand the profound connection between nature, craftsmanship, and luxury. Over the past ten years, I’ve reviewed the world’s most prestigious vehicles from Bentley and Rolls-Royce to Ferrari and McLaren  always with an eye on how brands evolve in their definition of elegance.

Silk Kimono: A Summer Delight

I’ve also had the pleasure of working with an Italian artisan who handcrafted a vegan bag, onto which I painted my own artwork. It’s one of my favorite bags to this day not just because it’s beautiful, but because it tells a deeper story of artistic expression, ethical production, and slow luxury.

Vegan handpainted bag Tuscany 2021