Leather has become a staple in the fashion industry. You'll find everything from clothes to accessories made from leather and it's not only popular for its durability, it's become synonymous to luxury, too. Almost every high fashion brand makes use of leather. And although its quality is unmatched, concerns have been raised about animal welfare and its impact on the environment.
Enter: Vegan leather. Curious? Get to know more about this cruelty-free alternative to traditional animal-based leather ahead.
What is Vegan Leather?
Also occasionally referred to as "faux leather," vegan leather is a type of leather that isn't made from animal hide or skin. It makes use of plant-based or artificial materials to mimic the look and feel of genuine leather. Many people praise vegan leather for being cruelty-free but there has been a long ongoing debate on whether it really is better than genuine leather.
Ahead, we break down the differences between real and vegan leather and in the end give you a list of vegan designer brands if ever you opt to shop for vegan designer bags.
Is vegan leather the same quality as genuine leather?
Some brands have found ways to make vegan leather almost the same quality as genuine leather. But just as genuine leather brands are better than others, the quality of the vegan leather still relies on the craftsmanship of the brand.
Is vegan leather sustainable?
Not all vegan leather is made equal. How sustainable a vegan leather product depends on the specific material used because some are more sustainable than others. Plant based materials such as paper, cork, and mycelium, for example, are more sustainable than those made from PVC or polyutherane which is essentially plastic—doesn't sound so eco-friendly, does it?
Sadly, most vegan brands use plastic. But there are more eco-conscious brands who opt for recycled plastics rather than virgin plastics. The difference between the two is one gives plastic a second shot at life and keeps them away from landfills and from further damaging our environment. It also takes less energy and water to process recycled plastics as compared to creating new plastic.
Should you still opt for vegan leather?
It's really up to you. Clearly, both genuine leather and vegan leather has their drawbacks when it comes to eco-friendliness and sustainability.
Aside from the issue of animal welfare, the use of genuine leather also raises concerns for the environment. In order to get animal skin into a wearable condition for consumers it uses a lot of harmful chemicals and heavy metals which not only poses a risk to the environment but to the workers and the wearers as well. Not to mentions the deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and the amount of energy and water that it takes to make space for animals used in leather production to graze in.
Vegan leather, on the other hand, isn't exactly as eco-friendly as most people think, specifically those made from plastic. These not only take years to degrade it also contributes to the millions of tonnes of plastic that enter and pollute our oceans each year. There's also the issue of microplastics making its way into our food chain.
But not all brands that use genuine leather makes use of these harmful production processes and not all vegan leather products use plastic. There are genuine leather brands that opt for vegetable tanning rather than using harmful chemicals and vegan leather made from recycled plastics and natural products such as apple leather, coconut leather, and so on.
Choosing between genuine and vegan leather is not entirely black and white. It's important to do your research so you can make informed decisions as you shop. If you decide to stick with genuine leather do a background check on their production process. Of course, if you're vegan then the decision is easier, but still get to know what material different brands use and be aware of the impacts of plastic.
If you do decide to opt for vegan leather, we've rounded up some vegan brands and bags for you. Get to know each one of them below:
5 Designer Brands That Use Vegan Leather for Their Bags
1. Stella McCartney
When one thinks vegan designer bags, Stella McCartney is often the brand that pops into mind. They're one of the most popular designer brands that are known to use a variety of eco-friendly and sustainable materials, including vegetarian leather made from a blend of organic and synthetic fibres with vegetable coatings.
Falabella Mini Tote Bag, $1095 (approximately P60,545), STELLA MCCARTNEY, Stella McCartney
2. Matt & Nat
This vegan fashion brand is all about sustainability.They use only the most eco-friendly and recycled materials like cork, rubber, cardboard, and recycled nylons to create their chic and stylish products.
Adelsm Small Vegan Satchel - Purity, $145 (approximately P8017), MATT & NAT, Matt & Nat
3. Nanushka
Nanushka might not be popular in the Philippines just yet, but international style icons such as Rihanna, Selena Gomez, and Kourtney Kardashian, have been spotted donning their trendy attire. And of course, their bags don't disappoint as well. With the buttery texture and luxurious feel of their bags, you'd never expect it to be made from faux leather.
Anja Bag, $625 (approximately P34,558), NANUSHKA, Nanushka
4. JW Pei
Los-Angeles based designer brand JW Pei has finally made its way to the Philippines. Influencers and celebrities alike, love this brand for their incredibly stylish collection of bags. The best part? They use vegan leather made from recycled plastic bottles.
Maze Crossbody Bag, P7200, JW PEI, Zalora
5. Hozen
Looking to make a statement in both style and ethics? Hozen is a Cali-based brand that creates chic and whimsical vegan bags from ethically-sourced materials. Their collections are made in small batches at fair wage warehouses and they rely on carbon offsets to counteract the environmental cost of shipping their products.
Quilted Mini Duffle Bag, $378 (approximately P20901), HOZEN, Hozen
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