What is Vegan Leather?

Vegan leather, which can also be known as faux leather, is a leather alternative fabric that is not made from animal skins.

Vegan Leather Pieces at A Line Boutique in Cherry Creek

Vegan Leather vs Real Leather

Vegan leather has evolved heavily since its inception to the point that you almost can’t tell the difference between a vegan leather piece and a real leather piece.

A Line Boutique owner, Karmen Berentsen, says that now she almost always has to check the price tag in order to tell what’s real leather and what’s not. Most of the time, you can no longer tell the difference between the two materials when looking at or touching them.

Vegan leather, faux leather, pleather, alternative leather, and synthetic leather, are all interchangeable terms.

Faux Leather Pants and Skirts at A Line

What is Vegan Leather Made Of?

Vegan leather can be made out of a range of different materials.

A few years ago when faux leather hit the scene, it looked and felt like a thick plastic material. The production processes and available materials have evolved immensely over the years. Faux leather pieces now have the nearly identical look and feel of high end leather pieces.

Vegan leather can be made of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polyurethane (PU), Pineapple leaves (Piñatex), cork, grape skin, mushroom, and more.

Is Vegan Leather Sustainable?

Creating vegan leather in the past required heavy amounts of chemicals and processing, but due to the progress and evolution of vegan leather manufacturing, it has become much safer for the environment.

When PVC and PU vegan leather is made in the European Union, it is extremely regulated. A very small amount of chemicals and processing is allowed in the EU for the creation of these products, making it safe for the environment.

Vegan Leather Pieces From Enza Costa, Cinq á Sept, Jonathan Simkhai, Proenza Schouler, AGOLDE, and Nanushka.

We have vegan leather pieces on our four stores all year round! Visit us in Downtown Denver, Cherry Creek North, Belleview Station, and Castle Rock to see this ethically sourced and sustainable material in person.