Since the days of the caveman, leather has been considered a luxury product and it still has the same appeal today. But wearing the skin of an animal is becoming outdated. The search for a sustainable fashionable option is on the rise and trending at warp speed. So get ready, because these vegan leather trends are worth having an eye on.
One major reason for this pivot is due to environmental and animal rights awareness. The leather industry is part of animal agriculture and one of the worst offenders when it comes to climate change. With most of the world focused on being eco-friendly and more sustainable, the fashion industry did what they do best – step outside of the traditional box and create! From apple to mushroom to cactus leather – designers worldwide are getting creative and setting new standards for more sustainable fashion industry.
But before we show you the most creative and sustainable vegan leather trends in 2021, let’s learn what vegan leather means.
What is vegan leather?
Vegan leather is a leather-like fabric that mimics leather but isn’t made from the skin of animals. Instead, vegan leather can be made from a diversity of plastic and plant materials like cactus or surprisingly fruit waste (more of that later).
One of the challenges with creating a fabric made from non-animal material was the texture. This is where science meets fashion. PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and PU (polyurethane) are the most popular and frequently used materials for animal leather alternatives. To simplify this lingo, PVC and PU are plastic-based materials. These plastic polymers are most commonly used for fashion due to their wrinkled texture which helps to give the effect of real leather, according to PETA.
Challenges of conventional alternatives (like plastic)
You are probably shaking your head and thinking, real leather is terrible but vegan plastic alternatives must be a much better option. Right? We all know that plastic is known to be a major environmental threat because it most likely ends up in water or a landfill where it releases toxic chemicals into the environment. According to the Environmental Profit & Loss Report, an estimated 13 million tons of synthetic fibers enter our oceans each year. Furthermore, according to a WHO report, the material PVC has been connected to all kinds of health problems, like cancer, developmental disorders, infertility, Type II diabetes, heart and liver disease, and more.
So, for the sake of protecting our own health, animals and the planet… What could be an alternative to both plastic-based leather and the ‘real’ thing?
Vegan Fashion Trends You Need to Know
Cactus Leather
The innovative cactus leather is pretty new on the market. But there are already many reasons to use the Nepal cactus as the base for faux leather. Did you know that cacti naturally regenerate soil and they require very little water? This is a huge advantage over other materials, e. g. cotton. Also, cacti can grow in severely degraded soils where nothing else can grow.
Created by Mexican material innovation company Desserto, it is made through the blending of dried cactus powder. Today, it is used by vegan accessory brands like Luxtra. On top of the sustainability factor, the end product is soft and looks beautiful. And what else to wish for? For us at Chew & Lush definitely a high potential future-leather option.
Mango Leather
Formerly, we all know Mango as one of the most delicious exotic fruits. But did you know you can wear it, too? The Dutch company Fruitleather Rotterdam specializes in transforming leftover fruits into a durable, leather-like material. They not only want to spread awareness of the food waste issue but also to show how waste, in general, can be used in a positive way.
Lately, they teamed up with Sayebrand to create vegan mango sneakers. By doing so, they are able to bring an eco-friendly and animal-friendly product to the market.
Cork Leather
Did you know that cork actually comes from a tree? The cork oak trees are the national trees of Portugal and can also be found in northwest Africa. Cork is obtained by removing the outer bark of the tree, without cutting or harming it. And as the bark replenishes, cork can be harvested again and again. This makes it a perfectly renewable, raw and sustainable material.
Cork leather is also water-resistant, extremely light and super soft. The PETA-approved Portuguese brand Corkor shows how to wear and use cork leather at its best. And: it is produced handmade and by local artisans.
Mushroom Leather
Mylo, or better known as mushroom leather, is everything you love about leather without everything you don’t. It is made from mycelium – the hidden life source of mushrooms. It looks and feels just like leather. This comes as a result of years of research and development from some of science’s leading minds. The mycelium used to make Mylo is grown from mulch, air, and water – renewable ingredients found in nature today.
It is still new to the market and right now being used by brands like Stella McCartney. In April 2021, Adidas revealed the first-ever shoe made from Mylo. Stan Smith Mylo showcases the future of material innovation. And these innovative solutions found in nature are looking good, right?
Apple Leather
Have you ever heard of apple leather? Apple leather is a bio-based leather alternative made using organic apple waste from the apple juice industry. The cores and skins of the apple waste are taken and transformed into a pulp. Then the pulp is bound to a fabric for structure. The result is a ‘leather’ imitative soft and durable material, powered by plants.
In April 2021, the brand Sylven introduced a vegan sneaker with the main ingredients of Coconut and Apple. This shoe has already won three categories of the 2020 Global Footwear Awards (bio-fabricated materials, ethical and sustainable manufacturing and design for women’s sneakers). Sounds both delicious and sustainable to us!
It is exciting to see all these innovative and creative approaches to vegan leather. After this, who needs the real leather and plastic materials anyway? We hope this article inspired you when looking out for new vegan materials and supporting sustainable and innovative brands.