Updated: Dec 11, 2019, 18:00 IST

What Is Vegan Leather And Why We NEED To Make This Cruelty-Free Switch

leather bags

Fur, pelt, fleece, and leather have historically been associated with the elite. These materials and garments symbolised wealth, affluence, and power. Of course, these were the products of extensive labour, long processes, and unimaginable cruelty towards animals. 

A lot has changed over the last two decades and the wave of consciousness washing over the fashion industry has thankfully transformed our understanding of leather and its usage. Various luxury brands that specialised in leather goods have given it up completely and have replaced it with faux leather and its organic ways of production. This has also given birth to vegan leather.

What exactly is vegan leather?

Synthetic or faux leather (also known as pleather) is usually made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU), both plastic-based materials. Artificial leather also follows a completely different industrial process for manufacturing. Often the materials are chemically coated for the desired shine, feel, and texture that resembles genuine leather. All of these components and processes can have adverse implications on the environment too, even though they would be cruelty-free. 

This is where vegan leather comes in. Vegan leather is often made from polyurethane (PU), which does not necessarily have to be toxic. Many innovative and sustainable pleather has now been manufactured from materials such as fruit waste, pineapple leaves, cork, and even recycled plastic. 

Why vegan leather will always be a better choice

Each year, billions of animals like kangaroos, ostriches, sheep, alligators, cows, and more get slaughtered so that you and I can wear those très chic biker jackets, thigh-high boots, and glam handbags. In fact, processing animal skin into leather takes a lot of energy and chemicals like artificial dyes, coal-tar derivatives, formaldehyde and more. Wastes disposed of tanneries contaminate water bodies, soil, air, and can cause harmful diseases while polluting the environment. 

By opting for environment-friendly faux leather, you can prevent the slaughter of innocent animals, prevent pollution and the depletion of natural resources around us. Remember, it’s not ruthlessness that’s luxurious, conscious is.

Where to get vegan leather

Brands like Stella McCartney, Nanushka, and Awake have completely banned the use of fur and leather for their products. Automobile companies like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, and Testa have replaced the genuine leather used for the car interiors and seating with pleather. Unfortunately, apart from a few homegrown vegan brands like Aulive, Kanabis, and Arture, most use conscious leather. We hope that number goes up by manifolds in the future.

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