Vegan leather is ethical, attractive and affordable

By Gloria Stovall

When I first became a vegan sixteen years ago, vegan fashion was the last thing on my mind as I was merely concentrating on the vegan diet instead of the vegan lifestyle; but as I matured as a vegan, if you will, I began to embrace the complete vegan lifestyle as opposed to bits and pieces of it.  As I mentioned in previous blog posts, being vegan is more than just a diet, it is a lifestyle and goes so much further than a diet and food!  With that being said, if you are a beginner vegan, you should not be chastised, well maybe a little bit, if you are only focusing on the diet aspect of being a vegan, as many of us vegans started off that way, only focusing on the food we were eating; but as you mature as a vegan, you should embrace the entire vegan lifestyle, which means buying vegan, sustainable, cruelty-free products, including beauty, household items, clothing, shoes, food, etc. 

Before going vegan, genuine leather was a must for me as I was young, lacking in knowledge and naïve, and refused to buy fake leather products, as it had to be genuine leather; but when I became a vegan, and blossomed into a mature “seasoned vegan,” I literally fell in love with vegan (“Faux”) leather and fashion so much that I can wholeheartedly recommend buying it as it is cruelty-free, affordable, classy, attractive, not to mention, gaining tons of popularity worldwide.

So, what exactly is vegan leather?  I am delighted you asked! Vegan leather, pleather, or fake leather, also known as “faux” leather, is an alternative to animal leather and is made without using any animal parts or cruelty and is comprised of synthetic, artificial, sustainable biomaterials such as recycled plastic, pineapple leaves, apple peels, fruit peels, and polymers such as polyurethane and recyclable materials.  You may have purchased a shirt or purse and had no idea it was vegan, but if you look at the label, it will give you a list of the materials that were used in making the product, and most likely, the materials are vegan.  The exciting news about vegan leather is the fact that more designers are embracing it due to its attractiveness, sustainability, popularity, affordability and rising demand. 

Some examples of vegan leather include: 

1.   “Faux” leather
2.   Polyurethane
3.  “Manmade” materials
4.   Synthetic leather
5.   Artificial leather
6.   Cork leather
7.   Pineapple leather (Piñatex)
8.  Cactus leather
9.  Apple leather
10. Coffee leather
11. Mushroom leather
12. Recycled Bottles
13. Coconut leather
14. Leaf leather
15. Recycled Rubber leather

I am optimistic, hopeful, and personally believe the future is vegan and plant-based. As consumers become more sensitive, aware, and informed about animal cruelty and sustainability, the fashion industry is fervently responding by designing attractive and affordable selections of vegan, cruelty-free and sustainable products that are not only ethical, but also sophisticated, trendy, elegant, chic, and dapper. I love it!

Happy New Year, 2024!  I hope and pray you are well, keeping warm, making ends meet, loving the vegan lifestyle and or considering the vegan lifestyle this year.  I am sorry I have not been writing as much as I did in the past, but I am still here and will continue to write about the vegan lifestyle, I promise, but for now, I must go and make some yummy homemade vegan mac and cheese and watch the NFL playoffs! 

Thank you always for following my blog and your continued interest in the vegan lifestyle! I will be in touch soon. Have a blessed weekend, along with some vegan chili, and stay warm and safe!