Can Leather be a Part of a Vegan Lifestyle?
A large push for sustainability effort has recently infiltrated Western rhetoric. Slightly behind European initiatives, the United States is slowly enacting new methods of eco-conscious lifestyle behaviors. Personally, I've observed a rise in reusable cups/bags, local shopping, and more accessible vegan foods/goods. Ten years ago, vegans were often seen as elitist hippies eating kimchi and soppy tofu. Now, even the most corporatized fast-food chains offer inclusive vegan goods to consumers as Beyond and Impossible "meats" make their way onto drive-thru menus (though there is a debate in the vegan community over the ethics of the Impossible Burger's use of animal testing). Plant-based eating philosophies are seeing larger cultural understanding. At a deeper level, however, in tandem with a lower carbon footprint, veganism embodies ethical and healthful benefits.
In the fashion world, those who want to lessen their carbon footprint adapt vegan ideals beyond plant-based eating. According to many, a 'true' vegan lifestyle entails the use of cruelty-free beauty products and clothing. Clothing made from down, wool, leather, and silk is not a part of this vegan ideal as they are all animal byproducts. So, in response to the push for plant-based sustainability, the fashion world asks: what about buying animal-based items, like leather, second-hand is asked where it stands on the consumption of animal goods, like leather, second-hand.
Image Courtesy: PETA UK
The initial argument against wearing leather is obvious; similar to meat, the leather industry breeds animals for the sole purpose of killing them. This creates a large shift in the amount of greenhouse gas emission that hurts the atmosphere and feeds global warming. A large amount of cruelty is also involved when killing a living being for reasons that, in today's world, are not at all necessary. Many other naturals, eco-friendly resources are not only available but also accessible to all in need. The cruelty and gas emissions are entirely stoppable- especially if the demand for such items lessens due to ethical education and mass production of ethical options.
However, when it comes to buying things second-hand, repurposing materials, and upcycling products, the argument thins. If buying second-hand, the consumer's wallet is not directly contributing to the product's demand or production. The issue creates room for multiple opinions within the vegan community.
Image Courtesy: PETA
Many vegans argue, then, that buying any animal-based fashion item feeds popularity by further showcasing the cruelty to the public, adding to the harmful normalization of animal commodification, regardless of whether or not the clothing was bought second-hand. Vegan Life Magazine states it best, "Wearing leather perpetuates the idea that it's desirable or acceptable to use animals for clothing, no matter where or how you got it. If you wear leather, you effectively become a walking advert for items made from that material. Yours might be second hand, but others may be influenced to buy brand new leather garments because they admired yours." Similarly, many vegan celebrities refuse to dress in animal products, like leather, due to the repulsiveness of wearing another's skin. Miley Cyrus states, "I want to bring a message, which is veganism and that there doesn't have to be torture in fabulous fashion." I find myself most aligned with this factor of 'ickiness' in my choices to wear a wardrobe absent of animal goods.
It seems that alternatives to animal skin are being forged from new, sustainable sources each day, making a variety of outfits possible for anyone who feels weird about wearing another's skin. Some companies I like to use my patronage to support include Saucony vegan footwear, Matt and Nat's handbags, and Beyond Skin. Couture vegan fashion is also becoming more and more popular thanks to conscious designers like Stella McCartney.
The concept of "upcycling" animal products is wrapped in the idea of consumers voting with their wallets. Since the cruelty has already been done it makes sense to create less waste or need for production of new goods, whether animal or synthetic, by buying used items. Writer, Sophie Benson states, "I always choose second hand over new wherever possible anyway. It expands the lifespan of whatever thing I'm buying and therefore reduces its environmental footprint, and it stops something new entering into circulation... Secondly, natural fabrics have less of an impact throughout their lifespan. A 100% wool jumper, for example, won't shed thousands upon thousands of microplastics into the waterways. Choosing an item that already exists that will do less harm in the long run felt like the right choice to make."
Within the theme of wallet-conscious spending, thrifting is usually less expensive for consumers. Not only are second-hand goods sold at a reduced price, but they also are normally less expensive than synthetic imitation products anyway. Everlane, an online clothing store, repurposes gently used wool, leather, and down to create recycled items from natural materials.
In conclusion, I'm not the vegan police. I'd rather see a million people make small changes to their perception of animal exploitation in the consumption of tangible goods than see one person adapt the perfect vegan lifestyle. Understanding that each human and non-human beings are inherently good and working to the best of their capacity to love is the best way to ignite willingness within others. I do my best to live consciously by removing the naturalization of animals being 'less than' from my perception. However, I will always be a fan of repurposing existing material.
Finally, the ability to consider clothing choices for their fashion rather than functional necessity is a privilege. Those of us entitled to this perception must work to remain mindful of the affordance to remain humble, graceful, and appreciative.
Strike Out,
Writer: Brittyn Dion Bonham
Editors: Giselle Parks and Savannah Tindall
Tallahassee