What is Vegan Leather + 11 Vegan Leather Brands to Shop From

Last Updated on September 28, 2024 by Our Editors

As put by researcher and scholar Joseph Poore, shifting to a vegan diet is “probably the single biggest way to reduce your impact on planet Earth”.

Now, one may wonder if that also applies to areas other than food, such as fashion. If you’ve been on the fence about this one, you’re not alone. Even for things being distinctively poles apart from each other, the concept of veganism can still be applied. The adoption of sustainability-promoting marketing by several brands is a new trend these days.

This blog aims to provide a detailed understanding of vegan leather, tell you what is vegan leather made from and how it’s used and marketed by several brands. Also, an analysis of vegan leather vs real leather and the sustainable nature of vegan leather is presented in the latter stage.

Featured in This List

1.Doshi

2.Stella McCartney

3.Will’s Vegan Shoes

4.Ethique212

5.Angela Roi

6.Urban Expressions

7.Wilby

8.Brave GentleMan

9.Matt & Nat

10.Lulus

11.Gunas

What is Vegan Leather? 

Imagine if leather had a twin—someone equally stylish but without the drawbacks. That’s vegan leather! It boasts a similar appearance to natural leather but is entirely animal-free. So, if you’re drawn to the look of leather but want to avoid the ethical concerns, vegan leather is the perfect alternative.

What is Vegan Leather Made of ? 

It’s simple: vegan leather is not made from animal skin.

This material encompasses a wide range of options. While synthetic varieties like faux leather and pleather (plastic leather) have been around for a while, plant-based alternatives are now stealing the spotlight.

Let’s explore each type in more detail.

PVC or Vinyl 

Polyvinyl-chloride or PVC is a plastic-based material that is made using fossil fuels like oil/petroleum/gas. It is made by coating natural or synthetic base fabric with PVC.

So it isn’t the best material for eco-friendliness since it takes up to 10 times (>500 years) more time to break down than natural leather (50 years). Upon breaking down, it turns into tiny beads of microplastic that end up everywhere, from the oceans to even in the food we consume.

Still, it is a highly used leather alternative because of its affordability and versatility of being engineered as per the product’s need. Hence, most of the cheap ‘synthetic leather’ products you find in the market are likely to be made of PVC.

PU or Polyurethane

This is another plastic-based material made with a combination of petroleum and chemicals with Polyester fabric as a base. Compared to PVC, PU is softer and has a better look and feel to it.

This also makes it a popular ‘vegan leather’ choice for fashion accessories and home furnishing alike. Being more expensive than PVC-based material, it still costs much cheaper than real leather.

Note: PU is sometimes used in combination with real leather, which isn’t vegan. This material is called Bicast. Read the material composition before buying, since this one can be a little tricky.

Suede Fabric

This one isn’t as widely discussed as the other two but is a polyester-based fabric that gives the luxurious velvety napped look, similar to genuine suede leather.

Unlike the previous two kinds, it is a breathable fabric. This makes it a great material for fashion garments that can be worn in both winters and summer. While shopping, you may also come across terms such as leatherette, fake leather, and rexine. Don’t let these confuse you, as they are all either PVC or PU-based synthetic leathers.

Synthetic leathers, found in plenty in the vegan leather US wholesale market, were made to become an affordable alternative to real leather. Being man-made, we can make these materials in any color, print, or texture. But if you are looking for longevity, these materials still can’t compete with natural leather.

While synthetic leather has existed since the 19th century, even though it eliminated the need for animals and livestock, it does not address the massive environmental concerns that sustainable heads are questioning.

The quest for more sustainable alternatives has led to the rise of plant-based vegan leathers. Being one of the most promising inventions, let’s look at some off-beat plant sources being turned into vegan leather.

Fruit and Plant-Based Vegan Leather Options 

So, what is vegan leather made from? In the world of vegan leather, fruit and plant-based materials are emerging as exciting and sustainable alternatives. These innovative options not only mimic the look and feel of traditional leather but also offer eco-friendly benefits. 

Let’s dive into some of the most popular fruit and plant-based vegan leather choices available today.

Pineapple Leather

Pinatex® is a registered product of the company Ananas Anam, one of the few vegan leather manufacturers. They make it from the part of the pineapple harvest that goes to waste, the pineapple leaves. As a by-product of the agricultural industry, apart from being cruelty-free leather, it also adds to the income of the farmer communities.

According to the company’s website, the manufacturing also follows a cradle to cradle system, meaning all the byproducts and products go back into the production cycle.

Applications: bags, wallets, vegan leather shoes, accessories, and upholstery

Mushroom Leather

We know how bizarre it sounds, turning a pizza topping into a jacket. While a different species of mushroom (not edible) is used for its making, it doesn’t take away from the absolute wonder this invention is.

Mycelium leather is made from the vegetative part (called mycelium) of the mushroom. These are made to feed on bio-substrates, like cellulose, to grow into any shape or size. The resulting material is water repellant, lightweight, and is quite sturdy.

Apart from that, the manufacturing time is up to 2 weeks, compared to 2-3 years needed by a cow to grow for obtaining the same size of material.

While the fibers obtained can be treated exactly like animal skin, the company that popularized mushroom leather or MuSkin(brand name) called Grado Zero Espace, uses only natural methods to get mushroom leather from the species Phellinus ellipsoids.

It also uses closed-loop production. What this means is that its production uses post-consumer waste like corn cobs, straw, and wood chips to grow more mycelium.

What’s more? We can use the byproducts of the manufacturing process as fertilizers. And of course, it’s 100% biodegradable.

Cactus Leather

While cactus is a wonder crop that saves water and removes CO2 from the environment, it looks promising as an alternative to animal leather too.

Desserto® is the brainchild of two people from Mexico who came together to create a vegan alternative to leather and found their answer in the dessert.

Not only does cactus leather tackle the problem of plastic pollution and animal cruelty, but crop cultivation also requires no irrigation. Only mature leaves of the organically grown crop are used without harming the plant and grow back in 6-8 months. So it can continue to produce more leaves.

The leaves are ground, sun-dried, and then processed to form a bio-resin that is then further processed into a leather-like fabric. The resultant material is soft, durable, and partially biodegradable. While they offer it at the same price as leather, the company claims it can last up to 10 years of moderate usage. So, if you’re wondering is vegan leather durable, the answer is yes. Cactus leather seems to be promising entrant into the vegan leather US wholesale market.

Apple Leather

First introduced by FRUMAT, a company in Italy, apple leather is made using the apple skins and waste that is generated as a by-product of the juice industry.

Cellulose is extracted from these, which is further processed into a leather-like material. While they make it in combination with PU, it still reduces the amount of virgin material needed to make the fabric. The plastic addition is necessary to increase durability, as the lifespan of the product is also a crucial aspect of sustainability.

Cork Leather

Of all the plant-based vegan leathers we discussed so far, this one’s our favorite. Why? Because it’s ENTIRELY plant-based.

What is it made of? Easy – cork oak. It is extracted from the bark of the trees, chopped into blocks, and first boiled for up to 6 months. 

The water used is non-toxic and can be safely disposed of.

These are then dried and turned into thin sheets that are ready to be turned into anything from vegan leather US wallets, bags, to even yoga mats. Not only is it cruelty-free, but harvesting the bark allows the tree to absorb 3-5 times more CO2 than a non-harvested tree. And, is vegan leather durable? Yes, this durable material is naturally waterproof, and its natural color is just perfect as a leather alternative. We’re excited to see this option become more popular in the vegan leather Us wholesale market.

Emerging Plant-Based Vegan Leather Alternatives

As the demand for sustainable fashion grows, a variety of innovative plant-based vegan leather alternatives are emerging on the market. These materials not only provide an ethical choice but also showcase the potential of nature-inspired solutions in the fashion industry. 

Let’s explore some of the most promising plant-based vegan leather options making waves today, answering your question “What is vegan leather made from?” and showing you all of the possibilities.

Fleather

Fleather was a chance discovery made by the Indian company PHOOL that works with diverting tonnes of waste temple flowers from going into landfills and turning them into incense, among other things.

They noticed a layer formed on top of unused flower fibers that had similar tensile strength, texture, and elasticity to leather, and that ignited the idea of Fleather.

Leaf Leather

As the name suggests, the material is made from sustainably sourced fallen teak leaves in combination with cotton fabric. This is then sealed to preserve the surface. Wondering “Is vegan leather durable?” Well, made using traditional methods in Thailand, this handmade material is strong, durable, and waterproof!

Coconut Leather

Malai was formed out of the collaboration between a product designer and a material researcher in Southern India. According to their website, Malai is a newly developed material made from entirely organic and sustainable bacterial cellulose grown using waste coconut water. The water is otherwise dumped, damaging the soil. It is repurposed to feed the bacteria’s cellulose production.

What’s cooler? Like some vegan leather manufacturers, they only use natural gum, resin, and dyes in their processes, making it entirely eco-friendly. The material is water-resistant and can last up to 4-8 years, and at the end, home-composted and broken down. All these amazing inventions make us feel optimistic about the future of fashion and the impact that it has on the planet.

Vegan Leather vs Real Leather – Which is More Sustainable?

In the debate between vegan leather vs real leather, we need to first look at the raw materials and the process involved in the making. Vegan leather is cruelty-free, but not all options tackle environmental issues. Some are plant-based while others are made in combination with plastics, such as PVC and PU.

Durability is another factor to be considered, as the longevity of real leather is unmatched. But according to The Environmental Profit & Loss report, the impact of vegan leather can be one-third of what real leather causes. While some vegan options offer plant-based solutions, their scalability and adaptability are still a question. No material is perfect, but it’s easy to say that compared to the environmental damage caused by leather industries, adapting to cruelty-free vegan leather is a greener choice to make.

Now that we have analyzed vegan leather vs real leather and weighed our options, let’s look at some vegan leather brands.

Where to Shop Vegan Leather Products?

Rooted in sustainability, Doshi collaborates exclusively with vegan leather manufacturers who follow environmentally responsible practices to make vegan leather US bags. Their approach is simple: create products built to last, reducing waste. Doshi encourages customers to make the most of their purchase, especially during vegan leather US sales, and, when ready, to donate them so others can enjoy their durability.

“Our leather alternatives not only look great but also have a significantly lower environmental impact. For instance, using recycled polyester instead of Brazilian calf leather reduces environmental harm by 24 times,” according to the brand’s Environmental Profit and Loss report.

In addition to her own innovative leather-free designs, Stella McCartney has produced iconic collaborations, such as her celebrated vegan leather Stan Smith sneakers in partnership with Adidas. These sneakers have become favorites of stars like Madonna, Dame Emma Thompson, and the tennis legend Stan Smith himself. Other notable fans of the brand include Miley Cyrus, Michelle Obama, Meghan Markle, and Taylor Swift.

Their vegan leather is crafted from European cereal crops in Italy and Spain, ensuring both quality and sustainability.

“Our materials are incredibly durable—unlike leather or suede, they won’t be ruined by water, mud, or even winter road salt,” the website explains. “Keeping our footwear looking brand new is simple.” Whether you’re looking for suede sandals, leather-like dress shoes, or adorable kids’ footwear, Will’s vegan leather shoes has a wide selection to suit your needs.

The “212” in the brand name represents New York City, where every product is designed, manufactured, and distributed. According to the company, this reflects their promise of “complete and radical transparency—delivering the highest quality and value at a fair price.”

Inspired by NYC’s vibrant architecture, graffiti, and street style, Ethique212 offers a wide range of vegan alternatives, like the popular vegan leather US wallets, that stay in step with the latest fashion trends, making it an attractive vegan leather US sale to look forward to.

In addition to being 100% vegan, Angela Roi is deeply dedicated to ethical practices, standing firmly against child labor while championing environmentally sustainable production. “At Angela Roi, we believe in the power of human kindness to create a better world. By blending the sophistication of luxury with a devotion to humanity, we strive to transform the fashion industry through altruism and responsibility,” the vegan leather US bags brand affirms.

All Urban Expressions products are proudly certified by Vegan.org and PETA, ensuring their commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion. In the debate of vegan leather US vs faux leather, Urban Expressions definitely stands out as a top choice.

With a commitment to kindness, Wilby ensures that all products, including their vegan leather US bags, are 100% animal-free, environmentally friendly, and PETA-approved for your peace of mind.

“Ethical fashion is not an aesthetic; it’s a methodology,” the brand asserts. Offering an exceptional range of ethical menswear, including pants, shoes, suits, and accessories, Brave GentleMan’s signature material, Future-leather, is a soft, Italian-milled, eco-certified vegan PU leather. It’s a favorite among celebrities like Alan Cumming and Liam Hemsworth.

“Our values include social responsibility, excellence, inclusiveness, integrity, learning, authenticity, and, of course, love. Inspired by the textures and hues of nature, we continuously strive to improve our practices,” the website shares.

Each bag is lined with material made from 100% recycled water bottles, and the brand is always exploring new materials, such as recycled nylon, rubber, cork, and cardboard. If you’re confused between vegan leather US vs faux leather, consider going vegan and choosing brands like Matty & Nat.

If you’re seeking fashion with a conscience, Lulus has you covered.

Offering a diverse range of styles—from totes and satchels to backpacks, cross-body bags and vegan leather US wallets—Gunas provides options for every mood and lifestyle, and is loved by customers, evident in their vegan leather US sales.

Summing Up!

Vegan leather is a cruelty-free material created without harming animals, and it can be sourced from both synthetic and natural origins. While synthetic leather, made from plastics like PVC and PU, ensures no animal harm, it raises concerns about environmental sustainability due to its plastic composition. In contrast, plant-based vegan leathers—such as those derived from pineapple, mushroom, and cork—are gaining traction within the industry.

Although scalability remains a challenge for these innovative materials, vegan leather brands show that they have significant potential to drive the fashion industry toward greater sustainability. In the debate vs vegan leather US vs faux leather, vegan options definitely stand out. While options may still be limited, there is undoubtedly a vegan leather product available for anyone committed to making a positive impact.