Real vs. Vegan Leathers: Sustainable Facts

In a world where 79 million people have now opted for a vegan lifestyle, brands like Stella McCartney are paving the way to create the accessories we love in vegan-friendly materials. With fashion and textiles currently contributing to over 10% of the world’s CO2 emissions, we feel it’s important to shine a spotlight on the sustainability of both leather and PU vegan leather.

It is reported the CO2 consumption of a leather handbag is more than that of a PU vegan leather, however, if cared for correctly, the life span of a leather bag can be considerably longer - reducing your fashion carbon footprint and allowing you to continuing loving it for longer.

We acknowledge the impact that the animal produce industry has on the world carbon footprint, yet it’s important to note that hides are a by-product of the meat industry and would otherwise go to waste.

Leather, heavily associated with the luxury industry, has been used for centuries due to its durability. It can be restored, recycled and, unlike plastics that are often used in replacement of leather, it is a natural material. And, when a leather product has reached the end of its useful life, it can be broken down and used to create new products. This can include anything from new handbags and shoes, and even furniture. While designer brands haven’t yet crafted handbags from recycled leather, we don’t think it will be long until we see these hit the runway.

And, if leather can’t be recycled, it is biodegradable and will break down. The estimated time for leather to decompose is 50 years so we recommend extending the life of your bag through care, restoration and resale to ensure it can be enjoyed for generations.

By following our simple leather aftercare tips, you can ensure your item lasts longer and, in the case of investment handbags like Hermès, Chanel and Louis Vuitton, locks in their value and guarantees a higher resale price should you wish to sell. And, in the event that additional TLC, restructuring or even replacement handles are required, our Clinic is here to help.

As pioneers of handbag restoration, our expert artisans have hands on experience extending the life of leather luxuries. From restoring a lamb skin Chanel from the 1950’s, a 1930’s Hermes and saving items that have been fire-damaged, run over by cars, doodled on and even slashed in a robbery attempt.

Of all of the materials we work with though, whether that be fabric, suede or vegan leathers, traditional leather by far delivers the best results. It also offers the most options for dramatic transformations, with various colour changing techniques available.

But innovation is key at The Handbag Clinic. Our Research and Development Team are always working on how we can expand the magic we create across all material - including the new and exciting materials coming our way, such as natural vegan leathers and recycled fabric.

Choosing between vegan friendly materials and ensuring our fashion choices are sustainable is a balancing act, but here at The Handbag Clinic we love all leathers equally. And, as the UK’s one and only fully circular luxury retailer, you can buy, sell, restore and authenticate all your items with us, and ensure they can be enjoyed for years to come.