Vermin began in 2019 when artist and designer Lia Tabrah launched the label to explore bold intersections of art, ecology, and fashion. Soon after, Lia realised that while cane toads are one of Australia’s most destructive invasive species, there was no local production of leather made from them.
Lia met Indigenous creative Perina Drummond, and together they attended a traditional tanning workshop with Josh McLean (The Bush Tannery). Inspired to take action, they began experimenting with cane toad leather on Thursday Island / Waibene in the Torres Strait Islands / Zenadth Kes, where Perina grew up.
After years of experimentation, Vermin Tannery officially landed in Cairns in 2025. Today, we collaborate with local communities and CSIRO researchers to push this work to new levels of impact and innovation.
Our Mission
We are pioneering a world-first model that transforms an invasive species into a luxury, culturally reflective material.
The cane toad (Rhinella marina), introduced in 1935, continues to wreak havoc on Australia’s ecosystems. Unlike rabbit or fox fur, there has been no commercial production of cane toad leather in Australia — until Vermin.
Our approach is built on a circular economy model:
Removing toads from fragile environments
Transforming them into high-end material
Returning value to the communities most affected
Our Process
With the guidance of biologists, ecologists, and CSIRO researchers, we produce cane toad leather that meets rigorous ethical and environmental standards.
We work with Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities across Far North Queensland, ensuring sourcing is humane, culturally informed, and place-based. This creates ecological benefits while also providing training, employment, and creative opportunities.
Our production is zero waste — turning what cannot be used for leather into nutrient-rich fertiliser, extending the environmental benefit beyond fashion.
Our Vision
Vermin is more than material innovation — it is a model for sustainable systems change.
Through VERMIN Tannery, co-founded with Perina Drummond, we expand our work to blend First Nations knowledge, contemporary fashion, and invasive species science. This platform sparks courageous conversations about colonisation, ecology, and cultural agency in Australia today.
Our leather has already been embraced by leading designers and artists, and has featured at:
MONA (Eat the Problem)
Melbourne Design Week
Bendigo Art Gallery
4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art
Looking ahead, our goal is to introduce Australian cane toad leather into the global luxury fashion sector — offering an ethical, sustainable alternative to exotic skins that rely on extractive or exploitative supply chains.
View VERMIN JOURNEY here
contact us
Check out the exhibition we curated
Press links
ABC News | Cape & Torres News | The Guardian
