Quick guide to vegan leather
Vegan leather is a synthetic material that imitates the look and feel of animal leather. It is often made from a variety of materials, such as polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), innovative new fruit leathers, Mirum, cork, and recycled materials that can be designed to look like a variety of leather types.
Vegan leather offers many advantages over traditional leather, including being more sustainable, biodegradable, and even compostable.
Let's dive into the vegan leathers, and upcoming leather alternative innovations we at Vegan Style use for our shoes!
*Image of our What is Vegan Leather and what is it made from?
Vegan leather is a synthetic material that imitates the look and feel of animal leather. It is also known as "pleather" (a combination of "plastic" and "leather"), "synthetic leather", "faux leather", or "artificial leather". Vegan leather is often made from a variety of materials, such as polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and can be designed to look like a variety of leather types.
Not all vegan leather shoes are vegan, so it is important to check the shoe to see that it’s free from animal-derived materials, it’s sustainable, and ethically made.
Here at Vegan Style, we use European-made (Italian and Spanish) microfibre, which performs like traditional leather and suede. It is breathable, durable, soft, water resistant, and molds to the shape of your feet over time. We also use pinatex, appleskin, corn leather, cork, organic cotton, rubber and recycled materials to bring you shoes and accessories made out of the latest innovations.
We also take pride that our in-house labels Zette and Vegan Style School Shoes, as well as the other brands we stock, are OEKO-TEX certified and Eco Label certified. Meaning that our products are tested and verified to be free from harmful substances or chemicals.
The benefits of animal-free leather: is vegan leather durable, versatile, or environmentally friendly?
There are many benefits to using animal-free leather including:
- Cruelty-free: For us, we make sure to use animal-free materials which are more transparently made by suppliers doing the right thing. No animal harm, no deforestation risks, no tanning, no farm or slaughterhouse workers, and material producers are treated well.
- Environmentally friendly: Animal farming and leather production are known to have a significant environmental impact, including deforestation, water pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions. Animal-free leather production, on the other hand, has a far reduced environmental impact compared to cow skin leather.
- Versatility: Vegan leather can be made to mimic a variety of leather types, such as smooth, grainy, or patent, and can be dyed in a range of colours. This versatility makes it a popular choice.
- Durability: Vegan leather can be very durable and long-lasting, making it a practical and low-maintenance option.
The Rise of Non-Animal Shoes and Leather-Free Alternatives
In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the popularity of non-animal shoes and leather-free alternatives. As more and more people become aware of the environmental impact of animal farming and the ethical concerns surrounding the use of animal products, they are seeking out alternatives that are cruelty-free and environmentally sustainable.
Fortunately, there is now a wide range of non-animal shoes and leather-free alternatives available, including PU, PVC, pineapple leather, apple leather, corn leather, Mirum, mushroom leather, cactus leather, cork, and recycled materials (with many more types in development).
We are also excited to announce that we are looking into new leather alternatives, which will be available very soon in our stores.
Currently, we stock a variety of sustainable vegan leathers such as:
- Our new Corn Leather collection
- Corn leather is both supple and sturdy, making it perfect for shoes, and the particular corn leather we use is made transparently in Brazil - Our Pineapple leather collection
- Piñatex, a brand of pineapple leather, is made from pineapple leaf fibers that are a byproduct of the pineapple industry - Our Apple Leather collection
- Apple leather is made from the waste of the apple juice industry
These materials are being used by fashion designers and our shoe manufacturers to create stylish and high-quality shoes that are both fashionable and eco-friendly. With the rise of non-animal shoes and leather-free alternatives, consumers have more choices than ever before when it comes to making ethical and sustainable fashion choices.
Exploring Mirum: A Promising Leather Alternative
What is Mirum? MIRUM is a promising new material that has the potential to revolutionise the fashion industry. MIRUM is a 100% bio-based material, which means that it is made from renewable resources and does not contain any plastics or petrochemicals. It is also certified to be vegan and cruelty-free.
MIRUM is a plant-based, plastic-free, and sustainable alternative to leather. It is also customisable, so it can be used to create a variety of products, including footwear, fashion, automotive, accessories, and upholstery.
Some of the benefits of MIRUM include:
- It is made from sustainable materials, so it has a lower environmental impact than animal leather or synthetic leather.
- It is durable and water-resistant, so it can withstand wear and tear.
- It is recyclable, so it can be reused at the end of its life.
- It is customisable, so it can be used to create a variety of products.
Here at Vegan Style, we are very excited about Mirum and have been busy developing a new collection of shoes made from this plant-based, plastic-free material. Stay tuned to our social media or sign up for our newsletter to be the first to know when our latest sustainable shoe collection, crafted from Mirum, arrives in stores.
*examples of Mirum sustainable vegan leathers
How do I take care of my vegan leather shoes?
Be sure to refer to the shoe care tag that accompanies your new shoes, as each fabric may require unique care instructions. Please note that we do not recommend machine washing your shoes.
Here are our tips for looking after your Vegan Style shoes.
What materials do we (and our brands) use to ensure we only sell cruelty-free shoes?
We are extremely diligent in checking that the brands we stock plus our in-house shoes are all-vegan, do not produce non-vegan products, and pay their workers a living wage. Our products are made from the highest quality vegan leather and free of animal components, glues, and dyes.
Our selection of ethical footwear and accessories extends beyond leather alternatives. These shoes are made with sustainable materials and produced in ethical conditions, ensuring that your fashion choices don't come at the expense of other people or the planet.
At Vegan Style, we believe that conscious consumption doesn't have to come at the expense of style. Our shoes and accessories are designed with fashion-forward, modern styles in mind. Whether you're looking for microfiber boots, apple leather slides, corn leather combat boots, pineapple leather sneakers, eco-suede heels, or canvas sneakers, we have something for every occasion.
We are constantly adding new vegan leathers to our collection, so be sure to check back often. We are committed to providing our customers with the best possible vegan leather options, so you can look and feel your best without harming animals or the environment.
View our Women's Vegan Products | Shop our Men's Vegan Collections
Articles you may also be interested in:
Leave a comment