Cows and fashion?

Happy Friday and/or weekend! 

A belated message this week as it was a full one here! I spent the latter half of the week at a local farm, on a kindergarten field trip, and this morning at the San Diego Botanical Gardens. I’m fully connected to nature now ;) 

I’ve been thinking about leather a lot lately. As the seasons change, many of us are reaching for our leather goods (or cleaning and storing them for spring/summer in the Southern Hemisphere). Since leather generally comes from animals, it is considered by some to be more sustainable as leather would, eventually, decompose. But how sustainable is leather? 

The Goodonya website offers a deep dive into leather, how it is made, and the environmental, people and animal impacts. The takeaway message is that the most sustainable leather goods are the ones you already own, or those that you buy new-to-you-but-not-brand-new (secondhand).

Why is this? Well, there are a lot of environmental, people and animal issues associated with leather – from the carbon emissions from cows to the humane treatment of animals, to the PTSD that occurs in slaughterhouse workers. As with much of the fashion supply chain, it is a multifaceted issue without a clear solution.

What about plant-based leather alternatives? 

Well, gains are being made with leather alternatives such as grape and apple skin leather-like materials. However, these options are often coated in bio-based plastics, which means they would take longer to eventually decompose. 

There are creative alternatives in the works and it will take time to create a more sustainable, ethical leather option. In the meantime, we can do our best by wearing what we own, purchasing second-hand, and supporting companies that are working to use leather alternatives. 

One brand doing this work is Prota Fiori. I have a pair of their flats (made from apple skins) and they are gorgeous and very comfortable. Should you have ‘shoes’ on your shopping list and find a pair that interests you, use the code KEVIN50 to receive $50 off.

Until next week, 

Kevin xo