Shift to vegan fashion gains ground

An increasing number of fashion brands and manufacturers are turning their attention to vegan apparel and accessories as the market shows rising interest in cruelty-free and sustainable products. Being ethical and eco-friendly, however, should not be treated as the end-all-be-all because releases should also be attractive to spark consumer interest as what a recent Who What Wear article cited.

Thanks to recent innovations in leather alternatives, the market has now an evolving range of aesthetically pleasing selection.

UK-based footwear and clothing Dr. Martens, for instance, has launched a range of boots made of vegan leather. Sportswear giant adidas has collaborated with prominent fashion designer Stella McCartney to put an animal-free twist on the iconic Stan Smith shoes.

Bourgeois Boheme, a London-based luxury footwear brand specializing in vegan releases, has launched sneakers made of fibers derived from pineapple leaves called Piñatex, PVC-free vegan suede and sustainable cork.

A 2017 report by US-based market intelligence and consulting firm Grand View Research stated that the faux leather market is expected to hit $85 billion by 2025, with footwear seen as a major factor for market growth. According to the study, "increasing focus towards animal rights led by several organizations and rising stringency in laws governing real leather are propelling demand for synthetic leather."

In the apparel segment, the adoption of organic and recycled fibers is gaining ground. Brands such as Brave GentleMan and Reformation are utilizing fibers from recycled PET bottles and vintage clothing to create a line of casual apparel.Organic cotton has become among the top material options, especially in baby and children's apparel.

This shift is likewise reflected online. Global fashion search platform Lyst has seen a 47 percent YoY increase of searches using sustainable-related keywords, including 'vegan leather', 'organic cotton' and 'econyl'.

Growing ethical and ecological awareness among brands and consumers is a positive sign for an industry that is said to be among the biggest contributors environmental degradation. And with this change in thinking and attitude, vegan products are expected to slowly but surely help preserve the limited resources this world has.