Is it Truly Sustainable?
Sustainability in the fashion world today is not just a trend, but a mandatory ethical responsibility. Consumers are no longer only looking for what is beautiful and stylish; they are seeking what is durable, ethical, and environmentally conscious. And with this transformation, leather, both genuine and its "vegan" alternatives, has become a serious topic of debate.
We are often asked the question:
“Is leather sustainable?”
But perhaps the real question to ask is:
“Is alternative leather truly sustainable?”
Vegan Leather: Cute Label, Harsh Realities
There are dozens of “plant-based” alternatives on the market, such as mushroom leather, cactus leather, pineapple fiber, and apple peels. They are promoted with terms like “vegan,” “natural,” and “eco-friendly” in marketing. However, the background is not always as green as it’s made out to be.
🔬 According to the 2022 FILK Freiberg Institute report, over 80% of plant-based leather alternatives on the market contain plastic derivatives like polyurethane (PU) or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) to gain structural integrity. This means these materials are reinforced with petrochemicals that harm nature.
What this means is:
Even if its name is “plant-based,” if its content is full of plastic, its sustainability should be questioned.
Genuine Leather: Natural, Durable, and Transparent
Genuine leather, especially when processed with vegetable tanning, can be a more honest alternative to nature. A quality leather product, with proper care, can last 20 years or even more. This means less waste and less consumption.
🔍 In summary:
- Genuine leather gains character over time.
- Vegan leather falls apart over time, because most of it is synthetic.
- Leather is natural; alternatives are mostly plastic.
📌 Vegetable tanning is a processing method that uses natural tannins (such as oak, mimosa, chestnut) instead of chemicals. This method causes less harm to the environment and allows the leather to develop a beautiful patina over the years.
What Do We Do at PÁRCH?
At PÁRCH, we:
- Source our leather only from ethical sources.
- Conduct our production process with artisanal techniques and minimal waste.
- Design our products to last a lifetime – pieces that age gracefully, rather than simply wearing out.
For us, leather is not just a material; it’s an object of life, a carrier of stories.
Genuine Leather Is Sustainable. Period.
The claim of sustainability is possible not with plastic-filled materials, but with production methods that respect the life cycle. It is not materials bearing a vegan label but containing petrochemicals, but genuine leather that withstands time that wins this race.