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Agenda-setting intelligence, analysis and advice for the global fashion community.

The Truth About ‘Vegan Leather’

Leather alternatives have been boosted as eco-innovation and dismissed as mere plastic, but the truth is more complicated than that and demands clearer marketing to avoid misleading consumers.
Three images are presented side by side. A selection of Pangaia sneakers in white, green, pink, blue and black are jumbled together in the left-hand image. In the middle, Stella McCartney holds a small handbag over her face. On the right a model in sunglasses strikes a pose in a blue jumper and brown leather-look trousers by Nanushka.
Pangaia, Stella McCartney and Nanushka are all using different kinds of material as an alternative to leather. (Pangaia/Stella McCartney/Nanushka via Instagram)

At first glance, there is little to distinguish “materials science” start-up

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Further Reading

Would You Buy a Mushroom Handbag?

For the first time, brands including Stella McCartney, Balenciaga and Hermès are bringing products made of buzzy mushroom-based materials to market, a critical test for whether the next-generation fabrics could one day hit the mainstream.

About the author
Sarah Kent
Sarah Kent

Sarah Kent is Chief Sustainability Correspondent at The Business of Fashion. She is based in London and drives BoF's coverage of critical environmental and labour issues.

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