When you think of leather, chances are you picture high-end fashion, luxury handbags, and durable shoes. But have you ever stopped to think about where leather comes from—and at what cost?
Every year, over a billion animals are killed for leather. That chic-looking jacket or “genuine leather” wallet? It likely came from someone—not something. Cows, pigs, goats, and even wild animals like crocodiles and ostriches are exploited and killed so their skin can be turned into fashion statements.
Thankfully, there’s a growing movement toward vegan leather—a compassionate, sustainable, and more innovative option that proves you don’t have to sacrifice style to protect animals and the planet.
So, What Is Vegan Leather?
Vegan leather is a material designed to mimic the look and feel of animal-based leather—without the cruelty. It’s made from a variety of materials, including:
- Plant-based options like pineapple leaves (Piñatex), mushrooms (Mylo), apples, cactus, and even grapes from wine production
- Recycled plastics like polyurethane (PU) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), though these are less sustainable than plant-based alternatives
Some brands blend both plant and synthetic materials to balance durability with sustainability, offering vegan versions of leather that are stylish, long-lasting, and better for the environment.
Why Choose Vegan Leather?
1. For the animals
The leather industry is inseparable from animal agriculture. Many animals used for leather endure horrendous conditions in factory farms, followed by violent deaths in slaughterhouses. Leather made from cow skins is often falsely marketed as a “byproduct” of raising cows for meat and dairy, giving it a misleading air of sustainability that in actuality doesn’t negate or reduce the immense environmental toll of animal agriculture. “Exotic” leathers are even worse—animals are skinned, sometimes while still conscious, all for fashion. Choosing vegan leather means choosing compassion.
2. For the planet
Traditional leather has one of the highest environmental impacts of any fashion material. It’s not just about raising farmed animals (which is resource-intensive)—leather is also heavily processed with toxic chemicals like chromium, which pollute waterways and harm workers. Vegan formulations of leather, especially plant-based ones, often require fewer resources and avoid harsh chemicals altogether.
3. For people
The leather industry often exploits workers, exposing them to dangerous chemicals in poorly regulated tanneries. Many of these workers are in low-income communities with little access to healthcare or labor protections. A shift to vegan leather is also a shift toward a more just fashion system.
But Is Vegan Leather Sustainable?
Great question. Like all materials, not all vegan leather is created equally. Some synthetic leathers are petroleum-based and not biodegradable. However, the innovation in plant-based vegan leather is skyrocketing. These materials often use agricultural waste or renewable resources, making them more eco-friendly than both traditional leather and older vegan alternatives.
If sustainability is your priority, look for brands that use:
- Piñatex (pineapple fibers)
- Mylo (mushroom root systems)
- Desserto (cactus leather)
- AppleSkin (apple waste from the food industry)
- Grape leather (made from wine production leftovers)
Choosing Better, Every Time
Fashion shouldn’t come at the cost of lives—animal or human. By choosing vegan leather, you’re making a powerful statement: that fashion and compassion can coexist. That animals are not commodities.
Ready to make the switch?
Look for brands that are transparent about their materials and prioritize ethics and sustainability. Together, we can protect animals, preserve our planet, and still look amazing doing it.