Vegan Leather – Rebranding Fashion’s Pariah

Chanel once said, “Fashion fades, style remains.” I think what she was getting at is the idea that what’s considered fashionable today will be out of fashion tomorrow, or the day after. Diana Vreeland said, “The eye needs to travel.” Both visionaries knew that a look or style can never be considered a “classic”. The most desireable item in your wardrobe today may just be considered guache tomorrow. Then too, the style that’s been tossed in the trash bin may still have another day in the sun – take the baffling resurrection of fur for instance.

That brings us to the streets of NYC and the seemingly evergreen vegan leather legging. They’re everywhere. You can find a pair at every price point – from Stella McCartney to American Eagle. Vegan leather is chic. But, isn’t vegan leather really just vinyl, and wasn’t it considered really tacky to sport fake animal skin when you could afford the most sumptuous naked lamb skin? The rebranding of vinyl is a modern day marketing miracle!

It all started with the green movement. Suddenly everyone was concious of their carbon footprint. We all started recycling, reusing and reconsidering our choices. It became in to be earthy crunchy. Then came the whole vegetarian/vegan movement. Where once it was difficult to find a good vegan meal in NYC, now there are gluten free vegan muffins on every corner. Fashion is no exception. Savvy designers know that a smart vegan fashion freak needs an ethical alternative to the most covetous luxury – what’s a vegan girl, or boy, to do when it comes to leather? In comes humble vinyl for its 15 minutes of fame.

Where that vegan leather comes from is another question…