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Sustainability (fabrics, upcycling, vintage)

Inclusivity and diversity (size, race)

Gender fluidity

Technology (integration, NFT's, gamification, AI)

Fast fashion (speed and price)

Influencers

Personalization and customization

Localisation

India boom

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real diamonds that are created in a laboratory, rather than mined from the earth. They are also known as cultured, man-made, or synthetic diamonds.

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Lab-grown diamonds are known by several different names, including synthetic diamonds, man-made diamonds, and cultured diamonds. They have the same physical properties of natural diamonds because they are created in a lab using technology that replicates the natural diamond growing process. Rather than taking billions of years to form like natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds can be grown in one to four weeks depending on their size. The lab-grown diamond industry has been steadily growing over the past decade as the technology improves and more companies have become involved in their manufacture. The market value of lab-grown diamonds amounted to more than 27.2 billion U.S. dollars in 2023.

Lab-grown diamond producing countries

The lab-grown diamond market share within the entire diamond market has been growing steadily in recent years, and is forecast to amount to ten percent of the diamond market worldwide by 2030. As of 2019, China was by far the world's largest producer, accounting for a 56 percent share of lab-grown diamond production worldwide that year. India was the world's second largest producer, having produced a distant 15 percent share of lab-grown diamonds. The United States followed closely to third place, at 13 percent.

Lab-grown diamond production methods

There are two main methods for producing lab-grown diamonds: high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). By 2024, it is forecast that the market revenue of lab-grown diamonds produced with the CVD method will amount to 16.5 billion U.S. dollars. It is forecast that the HPHT method's market revenue will amount to 11.7 billion U.S. dollars that year. The HPHT process is less popular than diamonds produced with the CVD method however, because it typically produces yellow or brown diamonds of lower economic value.

Price and ethical production

Compared to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds are in general less expensive. As of 2023, the retail price of lab-grown diamonds produced by major diamond producer De Beers was 800 U.S. dollars per carat through its jewelry subsidiary Lightbox. In addition to being less expensive, lab-grown diamonds are considered by many to be a more environmentally and socially ethical alternative to natural diamonds. This is due to lab grown diamonds being made in a lab rather than requiring large amounts of earth to be moved and involving potentially problematic labor practices along the value chain. Some consumers consider this to be another appealing attribute of lab-grown diamonds.

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Find the most important statistics and facts about the lab-grown diamond industry

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a term for Korean beauty products and trends, including skincare and cosmetics. K-beauty has become popular globally due to its affordability, innovation, and effectiveness.

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animal hide grown in a lab using cells from a living animal. The process is a potential alternative to traditional leather production, which harms animals and creates waste.

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Lab-grown diamonds are becoming too mainstream, and sales are headed for a slowdown, jewelry experts told Business Insider.

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The decline of diamonds as a store of wealth is accelerating as low-cost laboratory gems seize more of the market, eating into the share of mined stones and devaluing family heirloom jewelry.

Not a topic comfortable for the traditional diamond and jewelry industries, the latest financial analysis highlights the challenge caused by the shift from a high value, low volume business, to high volume/lower value.

A 100-carat perfect diamond at Sotheby's auction house. (Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
Getty Images

According to Morgan Stanley, an investment bank, lab-grown diamonds accounted for an estimated 14.3% of total diamond supply last year - 16 million carats versus newly-mined supply of 112 million carats.

But what makes those numbers interesting is that they are part of a trend which shows strong growth in lab-grown supply and a flat, or falling, supply of mined material.

This year, according to a supply and demand model published last week by Morgan Stanley, the lab-grown share of the total diamond market will rise to 18%, and up again next year to a forecast 21.3% share (25.1 million carats v 118 million carats).

As with other manufactured goods the lion's share of the lab-grown diamonds are coming from China which the bank said accounted for 9.3% of supply last year, rising to 12.7% this. India is the second biggest manufacturer, 2.9% this year.

Rapid Lab-Grown Growth

The speed at which lab-grown diamonds have captured market share can be seen by looking back to the starting point of the bank's analysis, 2020, when lab-grown gems held 7.5% of the market (8 million carats v 107 million carats).

"The trend of increasing lab-grown diamond market share remains unchallenged, adding to the structural challenges being encountered by the natural diamond market," Morgan Stanley said.

The flipside of lab-grown growth is the decline of mined diamond supply which peaked in 2017 at 151 million carats, falling to 107 million carats in 2020 before slowly recovering to this year's estimate of 112 million carats.

But whether the shift towards lab-grown diamonds is a profitable change is uncertain.

"We expect mined supply growth to be subdued at a 1.8% compound annual growth rate through 2023-25 (already off a low base), which may come under further pressure from lab-grown market share gains," the bank said.

A lab-grown diamond at the Diam Concept laboratory in Paris, France. Photographer: Valeria ... [+]
© 2023 Bloomberg Finance LP

The rapid increase in lab-grown sales by the Pandora retail chain is an example used by Morgan Stanley to illustrate the trend with sales of the Essence range of lab-grown gems reported to have risen by 88% year-on-year in the second quarter of the year.

"That said, this may not all be profitable growth. Intensifying competition among lab-grown producers has resulted in escalating price pressure, prompting De Beers Lightbox to announce that it would stop growing lab-grown diamonds," the bank said.

"We seek better clarity as to how the structure of the lab-grown market will evolve in the near term to better ascertain what the new normal will look like for the natural stone market."

Overall, prices in the polished diamond market remain under pressure with U.S. and Chinese consumers acting cautiously.

Exports from India, centre of the diamond cutting and polishing industry, are said to remain depressed, down 11% month-on-month in July, and down 23% year-on-year, firmly below historical averages.

"The value and volume of rough diamond imports into India remain below their five-year average, suggesting that mid-stream producers are still destocking," the bank said.

"We expect the market rebalancing to provide a floor for falling prices, but a convincing price inflection is increasingly unlikely before 2025."

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Diamond Mining Losing Its Sparkle As Lab-Grown Market Share Rises

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The decline of diamonds as a store of wealth is accelerating as low-cost laboratory gems seize more of the market.

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Korean Beauty Trends Continue to Capture Consumers in APAC | Mintel

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The K-Beauty market continues to grow with no signs of slowing down. Find out why K-Beauty trends capture consumers’ interest, and how the market is evolving.

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The K-Beauty Craze That Never Ends Review

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South Korea has made a significant impact on the skincare, beauty, and especially the pop music scene for the better. Here is why.

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Promise of ‘glass skin’ drives surge in sales of K-beauty products in UK

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South Korean skincare brands expected to follow country’s music, film and TV exports in becoming blockbusters

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Lab-Grown Diamonds Are Everywhere. This Company Thinks It Has the Secret to Making Them High-End

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Now that it’s possible to grow affordable gems in the time it takes to watch a movie, the race is on to save the value of the most precious stone.

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The diamond industry is at an inflection point

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As lab-grown diamonds and other sustainable natural stones become more popular, the diamond industry will need to adapt and diversify their offerings to stay ahead.

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K-beauty: The rise of Korean make-up in the West

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A revolution in Korean beauty trends has come to the UK, but why does it appeal so much to millennials?

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From Trend to Tradition: The Global Rise of Korean Skincare | Brand Vision

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Korean skincare, also known as K-beauty, has experienced a meteoric rise over the past decade, becoming a global sensation and a staple in beauty routines around the world. This incredible success story isn’t just about the quality of the products—though they’re undeniably effective—but also about the brilliant marketing strategies and the powerful role of social media and influencers. From a niche market to a multi-billion-dollar industry, let’s explore how K-beauty captured the hearts of millions and became a dominant force in the global beauty industry.

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Lab-grown diamonds are forever: Inside the exploding $90bn market

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Lab-grown diamonds are increasing in popularity and demand as customers seek lower prices and shop with ethics in mind,

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"Did you wear sunscreen today?" reads a smattering of blue bubble letters across the front window of Korean beauty store Senti Senti's new location in Williamsburg, New York.

The shop - founded in Chinatown in 2009 under the previous name OO35mm by Chinese American sisters Winnie and Sandy Zhong - has long been a go-to spot for local K-beauty aficionados. More recently, though, TikTok-influenced consumers have been making their way to the store in droves.

"We always knew we wanted a second location, but the pandemic changed everything in enabling us to make that decision," said Winnie.

"In bringing self-care to the forefront of the internet, [the pandemic] also helped people find hobbies - and skin care was definitely one of them," continued Winnie, who leads a 25-member team at Senti Senti's 2,000-square-foot Williamsburg store.

Among the roughly 165 brands lining the retailer's shelves are K-beauty OGs such as Klairs and Amorepacific-owned Laneige, Innisfree and Aesutra - which have become all but synonymous with K-beauty's initial, 2010s-era Stateside emergence - as well as a more nascent crop of burgeoning K-beauty indies, including Beauty of Joseon, Mixsoon, Anua, Round Lab, I'm From, Tocobo and more.

The likes of Beauty of Joseon and Round Lab have skyrocketed thanks to their hero SPFs, which cost less than $20 and feature heavier-duty UV filters than those that are FDA-approved in the U.S.

The TikTok Factor

It helps, too, that "a lot of Asian beauty brands excel at creating sensorial textures, which translate well across a screen; snail mucin is a great example of this, where it almost has the appeal of ASMR, but in terms of texture," said Spate cofounder Yarden Horwitz.

According to Spate, Amorepacific-owned CosRx, best known for its Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence - receives 15.1 million average weekly views on TikTok, a 245.6 percent increase versus last year.

In terms of K-beauty views, the brand is second only to Anua, a more recent player that rakes in 17.1 million average weekly views - up 578.3 percent versus last year - mainly driven by its Heartleaf Pore Control Cleansing Oil. Retailing for $17, the offering was the top-selling cleansing oil during July's Amazon Prime Day event, per Market Defense, and in the last month has sold more than 100,000 units on the platform.

"All indications are that consumer awareness is coming from TikTok," said Vanessa Kuykendall, chief engagement officer at Market Defense, adding that Amazon searches for "K-beauty" are up 54 percent year-over-year, reaching 112,000 monthly searches.

"K-beauty is being reimagined through the lens of TikTok - it's a new generation who are digesting the trends, the products, the ingredients and interpreting them in their own unique way," said Charlotte Cho, who founded K-beauty e-tailer Soko Glam in 2012, as well as her own Korean-inspired skin care brand, Then I Met You, in 2018. "I think at the crux of it is that Korean beauty trends and rituals are not based on gimmicks - they work, and that's why K-beauty has this second life, will have a third life, and has made such an impact on the industry."

Cho should know. Soko Glam, which is now 12 years old and ships to 53 countries, has seen a 69 percent increase in site traffic versus January 2024 alone. Among its bestsellers are I'm From's $40 Mugwort Essence; Iope's $50 Caffeine Shot Serum and Then I Met You's The Giving Essence, which costs $50 and taps a 78 percent blend of naturally fermented ingredients.

Because of its quickly expanding global purview, the e-tailer is projected by industry sources to double its sales by this time next year. Meanwhile, Then I Met You is slated to enter Sephora U.S. online and in 250 doors this October, making it the first new K-beauty brand to shake up the retailer's assortment in some time, joining the ranks of Glow Recipe, Dr.Jart+ and Amorepacific's portfolio of brands.

It's the kind of expansion K-beauty is poised to see much more of in the near future.

A Shifting Retail Landscape

"U.S. retailers - for the past four years - quite frankly were not interested in K-beauty whatsoever," said Landing International chief executive officer Sarah Chung Park, who spearheaded CosRx's entry to Ulta Beauty in 2017 and has since partnered with several other Korean brands - most of whom don't have U.S. teams - looking to enter the market. "Now, we're talking to almost every retailer about what they're going to do about K-beauty, because you almost have to have a point of view at this point."

Chung Park is bringing Mixsoon, which, like CosRx is TikTok-loved and operates a sizable Amazon business, to several major retailers. The brand most recently launched at Costco - a common avenue for brands entering the U.S. market from Korea, where membership wholesale retailers are extremely popular.

The brand's hero $35 bean essence has sold more than 20,000 units on Amazon during the last month, and though Chung Park did not comment on sales expectations for its 200-door Costco foray, industry sources think Mixsoon could do $5 million in sales during its first year at retail.

"During its first wave, K-beauty didn't have a direct channel to the consumer; Amazon wasn't what it is today, TikTok didn't exist - there was Instagram, but it really wasn't the same," said Chung Park. "On top of that, not a lot of people knew about Korea. It wasn't considered cool, and there was a lot of apprehension about K-beauty products - they were still considered this novelty item."

Enter "Hallyu"

Within a mere matter of years, though, Korea's influence over culture and trends in the U.S. has become near-ubiquitous.

K-pop stars belonging to chart-topping ensembles like BTS, Enhypen and BlackPink are being tapped in rapid-fire succession as ambassadors for luxury brands including Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Dior, while interest in Korean cuisine, too, has soared, fueled by myriad buzzy restaurant openings across cities like New York and Los Angeles as well as an online popularization of Korean recipes and snacks. (For instance, Korea's Buldak - or "fire chicken" - instant noodles, which first went mainstream years ago due to a viral spicy noodles challenge, now operate a six-figure TikTok Shop business - a status not many foods can claim.)

It only makes sense that the beauty crest of Hallyu, meaning "Korean wave," is now firmly taking root.

"This is the Korean moment," said John Demsey, formerly executive group president of the Estée Lauder Cos. and current senior adviser to South Korean retail giant, Shinsegae. "Korean beauty is not a regional product play - this is a global offer, and if Korean companies haven't previously been fully organized to deeply penetrate a market like the U.S. - the work is now being done to get there."

Just look at the trajectory of Beauty of Joseon. The brand, which offers skin care products ranging in price from $17 for each of its Glow, Calming and Revive serums to $48 for its Dynasty Cream, saw a uniquely organic rise on TikTok beginning in 2022, when creators like Dieux cofounder and aesthetician Charlotte Palermino began singing the praises of Korean sunscreens.

"The reason I got so into Beauty of Joseon was because I saw they were posting two tests for their sunscreens - their PA results and SPF results, both in Korea and Spain," said Palermino, who is credited by many for educating on and influencing a preference toward Korean sunscreens for their increasingly advanced chemical UV filters. (The U.S. has not approved a new UV filter for sunscreen use since 1999, and while efforts to streamline FDA approval of more up-to-date filters has seen much start- and stop- since, little progress has been made).

"There's a reason why Americans, who are obsessed with two-day shipping, will wait weeks and spend money on import fees for these [international] SPFs," said Palermino. "Sure, we have perfectly passable sunscreens here in the U.S., but because Americans don't wear that much sunscreen, and especially because of the sun habits of Americans - it's critical we have better ones."

Beauty of Joseon's three SPF50+, PA++++ products - which tap supplementary ingredients like rice, mugwort and ginseng and come in lotion, stick and spray formats - comprise nearly 40 percent of the brand's total sales, which in 2023 topped $100 million. For context, in 2020 - its debut year - the brand did $31 million.

In 2024, the brand, now in talks with CVS Pharmacy and Target to bring over-the-counter iterations of its sunscreens to mass U.S. retail by 2025, projects it will exceed $200 million.

"Virality had a huge impact on our business; we had never been focused on our TikTok channel before that, and we never spent money on collaborations on TikTok until last year," said Sumin Lee, Beauty of Joseon's brand director, adding that the brand is only now shifting gears into marketing mode in a bid to further capitalize off the momentum.

"The U.S. is our biggest market and our most important market - we want to be in it as deeply as its local brands are," said Lee, adding that Europe and Malaysia are the brand's second and third-largest markets, respectively.

Fellow TikTok darling TirTir, primarily known for its makeup - particularly its Mask Fit Red Cushion Foundation that sells for $25 and is the single most-purchased foundation on Amazon, per Market Defense - is also betting big on the U.S.

Standing for "trust in radiance," TirTir launched in 2018 and entered Japan, now its biggest market, in 2019. This time last year, the brand offered its hero foundation in just three shades, catering specifically toward fair-skinned consumers in its then-key markets of Korea and Japan.

When TirTir seeded the range to U.S. influencers this spring and quickly faced fallout for not catering toward diverse skin types, it mobilized to expand the range to 30 shades in less than three months, reseeding it to the same influencers again.

"Let's talk about redemption," said influencer Golloria George (@golloria) in a TikTok video upon receiving the expanded range. George - who was among those vocalizing disappointment in the brand's initial shade range, and was also at the forefront of Youthforia's recent shade diversity reckoning - then signed on as an ambassador for TirTir.

"When we launched [in the U.S.] we weren't sure if our formulation would be suitable for the U.S. market or not; we wanted to listen to the influencers' feedback, and that's why we decided to expand our range," said Lyla Kim, global business manager at TirTir, adding that this month, the brand added an additional 10 shades, bringing its total to 40.

While the brand is upping investment in influencer marketing, "more than 50 percent of social media content featuring TirTir is completely organic," said Rahee Lim, global business director. The brand, which is in the midst of finalizing a TikTok Shop storefront - sure to catalyze sales even further - is also planning its first U.S. pop-up in New York this October.

"We've done many pop-ups in Japan, but we have a desire to impact beauty trends in the U.S., as well," said Lim. "Americans tend to wear their skin bare or do a full face of makeup, but in Korea, our makeup style sits in the middle - it's very natural, and very glowy."

A Peak Yet to Come

Data indicates it isn't far-fetched that a brand like TirTir could indeed wield influence over not just product trends, but also makeup look trends in the U.S.

"The Korean skin care movement is the most significant of the K-beauty verticals, but Korean makeup is gaining traction - we're seeing new trends like 'idol makeup' emerge, where people are giving the signature K-pop idol look its own makeup terminology," said Horwitz, also pointing to the rise of Chinese-inspired "Douyin makeup" over the last two years, which features "strategic highlight, blush in the right places, lip stain and lashes."

On TikTok, "Korean makeup" receives 14.8 million average weekly views, up 622.9 percent versus last year. And while facial skin care and makeup are the two main categories feeling the influence of K-beauty, the rise of brands like Gentle Monster's fragrance arm Tamburins - which is widely talked about in the U.S. despite not even being available for sale in the region yet - and Helen Shin's resurfacing and firming Korean body care brand, Lilis, signify the potential of a category that, to many of those driving it, transcends its own label.

"We don't even necessarily lead with saying that we're a Korean beauty brand or a Korean skin care brand, because you know what - what does that actually mean? It's like saying you're an American beauty brand - there are so many types of American beauty brands that it doesn't mean much," said Alicia Yoon, who brought the still-trending term "glass skin" to the masses when she launched Peach & Lily Skincare and its masstige counterpart, Peach Slices, in 2018.

The brands, both sold at Ulta Beauty while Peach Slices also sells at Walmart and CVS Pharmacy, hit $100 million in combined net sales last fall.

"K-beauty is not a fad - it's a restructuring of the entire industry. The connectivity between the U.S. and Korea; there isn't another market where you have that kind of crossover in terms of consumer," said Demsey. Indeed, data from Global Market Insights valued the K-beauty market at $9.5 billion in 2022, projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 5.7 percent between 2023 and 2032 driven by Korea's "growing cultural influence."

"The consumer for K-beauty is not Asian," said Chung Park. "It's a younger generation, it's a diverse consumer; K-beauty is for everyone."

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Why Korea's Beauty Scene Is Taking Over the World - Again

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K-beauty skin care and makeup brands, including TirTir and Beauty of Joseon, are seeing standout growth on TikTok and soaring sales off the platform.

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Leather has long been the mainstay of the luxury industry, worth an estimated US$400bn in total, annually - but is it beginning to lose its lustre? Increasing ethical and environmental concerns have undoubtedly led to the rise of vegan leather in recent years. And with many major brands moving away from fur (including the likes of Chanel, Burberry, Gucci, and Prada), as well as exotic animal skins, experts say cowhide could be next on the list.

It's no secret that cattle rearing, responsible for an estimated 14.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions every year, is bad for the planet. While leather is often considered a byproduct or waste material created by the industry, critics argue the material is a built-in part of the business model. "Leather production can be a meaningful part of the profit structure; it's an important part of industry," Mark Herrema, CEO of Newlight Technologies and the creator of AirCarbon, a new leather alternative, tells Vogue. "I don't think it's fair to say it's a pure byproduct."

Read more: Is Vegan Leather A Sustainable Alternative To The Real Thing?

It's not just the carbon footprint that's the concern: the tanning process - in which animal skins and hides are treated to produce leather - is also highly polluting. An estimated 80 to 90 per cent of leather is treated with chromium, a toxic chemical that can pollute waterways if not disposed of properly, and that can also harm the health of workers who use it.

Currently, the majority of vegan leather is made from polyurethane - a plastic derived from fossil fuels, which of course has its own environmental problems. Plant-based alternatives such as Piñatex, or pineapple leather, do exist, but lab-grown leather is looking to disrupt the entire industry. "In a world where we're looking to move away from animal products on the one hand, and petrochemical products on the other, you really need to give rise to this third category," says Andras Forgacs, CEO of Modern Meadow, a company that creates animal-free materials.

What is lab-grown leather?

While the term 'lab-grown' may conjure up images of scientists gathered around a petri dish, the technology now is way past that point (the scale needed means it is not literally grown in a lab). But as the name suggests, lab-grown leathers do start with a process that's been perfected by scientists. By beginning at the molecular level, the properties of the final product are more easily manipulated.

Bolt Threads' Mylo material, one of the most promising lab-grown leathers to emerge on the market, is produced by growing fungal cells into mycelium - or mushroom roots - and feeding it sawdust. This creates large sheets of fluffy foam, which is then processed and dyed, turning it into a leather-like material. "When you touch our material, you get the same feeling as when you're touching a natural leather," says Jamie Bainbridge, Bolt Threads' VP of product development. "If nobody told you whether it was leather or not, you would sit there and try to decide if it was."

Meanwhile, one of Modern Meadow's processes involves fermenting yeast to grow collagen, the main protein found in leather. Now, though, the company is using plant-derived proteins - similar to collagen - to create its first leather alternative that's going to market. "It's about taking the building blocks of nature to make materials, developing new functionality and properties," Forgacs explains.

Similarly, a process found in nature helps create Newlight's AirCarbon material, which, incredibly, is carbon negative, with more CO2 absorbed during the process than is emitted. "We discovered microorganisms in the ocean that use methane and carbon dioxide to make this really beautiful molecule inside of their cells," says Herrema. "We spent about a decade learning how to replicate that process on land and turn that material we made into a replacement for leather."

Scaling up the technology

Now the technologies exist, the next challenge is scaling up the production of lab-grown leathers. Promisingly, Mylo has won the backing of a consortium of brands, including Stella McCartney, Kering, Adidas and Lululemon - with the first products made from the material set to go on sale next year. "The consortium is hugely [important]," Bolt Threads' CEO Dan Widmaier says. "This is bigger than any one brand can do by itself; [the fact that] we have to be a group that works in a non-competitive way to bring this to market is pretty visionary."

To produce its mycelium threads on a mass scale, Bolt Threads is working with a mushroom producer in the Netherlands that has a state-of-the-art indoor farming facility. But for all these lab-grown alternatives, there are clearly hurdles still to overcome. As tanning continues to be part of the process used to create Mylo, for example, the company will have to find more tanneries that can meet its high environmental requirements. "We will never be perfect; we'll always strive to improve," says Widmaier.

Still, gaining the backing of major brands, in addition to those already on board as part of the consortium, is crucial in the company's mission to replace traditional cow hide across the industry. "As scale goes up, we can serve more partners, as well as bringing the price point down to a place where it can be available for everybody," he adds.

Looking to the future

Getting the first lab-grown leather products on to the market is a huge first step. But could these alternatives really be the future of fashion? "Like any really disruptive innovation, it's going to take a while for the industry to adopt it in a big way," Bainbridge says. "But the signal for the demand is huge right now, and I don't see it dwindling."

With environmental concerns only set to increase, the prospect of materials that not only have less impact, but could actually benefit the planet, is hugely significant. "Our goal is to change the paradigm so that over time fashion can actually be a force for environmental good," Herrema says.

Could we all be wearing lab-grown leather jackets in the years to come? Given its sustainability credentials - and its remarkable ability to replicate traditional leather - it's looking quite possible.
More from British Vogue:

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Would You Wear A Lab-Grown Leather Blazer?

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Leather has long been the mainstay of the luxury industry, worth an estimated US$400bn in total, annually - but is it beginning to lose its lustre? Increasing ethical and environmental concerns have undoubtedly led to the rise of vegan leather in recent years.

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Leather has always played a huge role in the fashion industry. Yet, its production process has been subject to environmental and social critiques associated with animal welfare and contamination of water bodies, in spite of how the process has been evolving throughout the years. We explore the new front of lab-grown leather to answer the question of whether this product can actually reduce the detrimental environmental impact of leather production.
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During Industrialisation, the shift from using natural tannins to chrome salt has shortened the time for tanning - the process of treating skins and hides of animals to produce leather - from months to days. Start-up companies have now developed new technologies to grow leather in laboratories. Lab-grown leather appears to be a solution to the aforementioned environmental and social concerns. But how is it manufactured and how is this bio-fabricated material any different from conventionally manufactured leather?

How Is Traditional Leather Produced?

Turning raw animal hides into leather is not an easy task. It starts by slaughtering animals - mostly cows - to obtain fresh raw hides which are then salted for dehydration to prevent decaying during transportation from the slaughterhouse. The salted hides then go through a series of chemical and enzyme "baths", fleshing, trimming, and shaving - a process also known as tanning. Upon the completion of tanning, the finished leather can then be further processed into a wide range of products such as footwear, upholstery for sofas, and clothing just to name a few.

Tanning is a chemical and extremely water-intensive process. A study assessing the life cycle of bovine leather production of two product systems in Spain and Italy quantified the environmental impact driven by the whole leather production process. Despite the differences in the assessment of the two different product systems, their total environmental burdens appeared quite similar. The research found that tanning contributes between 70% to 90% to pollution by ways of energy consumption, abiotic resource depletion potential, photochemical oxidant creation potential (POCP), and fresh aquatic ecotoxicity potential.

Effluent from tannery factories contains a complex mixture of harmful organic and inorganic chemicals such as chromium salt, acids and bases, fat liquor as well as organic tannins. Improperly managed effluent may cause a significant environmental impact on surrounding human populations and living organisms.
You might also like: Fast Fashion and Its Environmental Impact
How Is Lab-Grown Leather Produced?

Leather is well-known for its comfort and durable properties. Although there are many alternative materials for leather, this still holds a unique position in the market, particularly in luxury products. Unlike artificial or synthetic leather, this bio-fabricated leather retains the texture and even the smell of real leather from a cow.

The sources of raw materials and technologies to synthesise leather are highly diverse. For example, one company is working on cultivating animal stem cells in the lab to produce actual animal hides. The process begins with collecting skin cells from a living animal and transporting them to the specialised bioreactor. Here, the cells are replicated to produce leather. The entire process takes about two weeks to complete, significantly less than the time required to manufacture conventional leather, which can take years if we take into account the time needed for animals to grow.

A London-based company has also developed innovative systems to produce animal-free leather. They utilise microorganisms, terrestrial and marine bacteria, or fungus strains to produce bio-fabricated materials that mimic the leather textures. These microorganisms are fed with a variety of materials such as plant-based protein, agricultural and forestry by-products, sawdust, protein from fish waste, or even air and greenhouse gas. Given that the component of bio-fabricated materials is less complex than actual rawhide (a combination of fats and hair, etc.), this helps simplify the tanning process to reduce material use and the environmental impact from chemical extraction.

Another company also demonstrated its consideration of the product life cycle by conducting a cradle-to-gate Lyfe-cycle Assessment (LCA) on its bio-fabricated leather. The manufacturing process shows significant improvement in greenhouse gas emission, land use changes, blue water consumption, and eutrophication compared to the conventional chrome-tanned leather process.

These bio-fabricated materials received increased attention from different industries including footwear, automotive, and luxury brands. Some of them partner with brands to commercialise the material for manufacturing new products, from mycelium-made sneakers and yoga mats to mushroom and cactus car seats , and some are even funded to build pilot or commercial production plants.

Is Lab-Grown Leather the Solution?

Lab-grown leather helps streamline the tanning process and reduce material consumption during leather manufacturing. It may perhaps be an alternative to traditional leather in the consumer goods industry, especially to the growing market of vegan or animal-free products. These newly invented materials, however, should take the product's life cycle into design consideration and be aware of the environmental impact aroused by their manufacturing process, product use, as well as end-of-life stage.

You might also like: 16 Most Sustainable Fashion Brands to Support in 2022

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Lab-Grown Leather: A Sustainable Solution to the Fashion Industry? | Earth.Org

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What are the benefits of the new front of lab-grown leather and does it really represent a more sustainable solution to conventional leather?

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3DBT reveals a world first - with naturally structured lab-grown leather

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This innovative product, revealed at the Future Fabrics Expo in London, is made from tissue-engineered skin grown solely from cells, specifically immortalised cells from an animal. The leather is structurally and genetically identical to traditional leather but is produced without harming animals and can be tanned using traditional or eco-friendly methods.The lab-grown leather addresses issues of inconsistency and imperfections found in traditional leather, offering a uniform and scalable altern

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"What we're looking to do is really change the source of where you get your animal hides from," says Helgason. "The versatility of leather as a material is incredible, and the artistry and creativity get imbued into that material during the tanning process. So, it's really exciting for us to be able to work with experienced partners in this space that can really bring out the best in our cultivated hides."

"We are investing in Vitrolabs and are working hand-in-hand with them to bring our experience of the industry and support for developing this material by doing product quality testing, tanning and finishing," says Marie-Claire Daveu, chief sustainability and institutional affairs officer at Kering.

The pilot facility, expected to be operational in the next year, will grow enough product for brand partners to launch with, Helgason says, although he won't yet share details about what potential product launches could look like. The facility is in California, but ultimately the plan is to locate full-scale manufacturing facilities near tanneries in Europe and elsewhere.

Vitrolabs is not ready to share specifics about the environmental impact of its process. Helgason says a lifecycle assessment is ongoing, but he is confident it will be a vast improvement over leather.

He's also undeterred by a growing number of startups offering other leather alternatives. There's ample room to innovate replacements given the size of the leather market - an estimated 28 billion square feet of leather is produced annually, he says.

"We are constantly looking for new solutions and investing in innovations that can help address our main challenges in sustainability, such as sustainable sourcing and traceability," says Daveu. "We are convinced that without breakthrough solutions, we won't be able to reach our sustainability targets. Vitrolabs is a startup with whom we have been able to build a partnership, among others, to ensure that our priorities (highest quality standards and scalability) were taken into account in the creation process."

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Kering backs cow-free, lab-grown leather. Game changer?

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"What we're looking to do is really change the source of where you get your animal hides from," says Helgason. "The versatility of leather as a material is incredible, and the artistry and creativity get imbued into that material during the tanning process.

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Faircraft Raises €15 Million to Scale Lab-Grown Leather for Fashion Industry

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Faircraft, a Paris-based pioneer in lab-grown leather, has closed a €15 million Series A funding round. The round was backed by prominent international investors, including Entrepreneur First and Blue Wire Capital from the UK, Kindred Ventures and Heirloom from the USA, Cap Horn, BPI, and Alliance for Impact in France, and Sake Bosch in the Netherlands. The funding will expand Faircraft’s team and scale production to meet the growing global demand for sustainable leather alternatives.Founded in

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South K orea has quietly become Hollywood's biggest competitor, churning out wildly popular music, TV dramas, and beauty and fashion trends with global appeal. This week, ELLE celebrates the K-World we're all living in.

Beauty trends and products originating from South Korea, known as K-Beauty, are now worldwide. Over the past 10+ years, no country has had a greater impact-not just on the products and brands we're slathering on our faces-but on the way we think about beauty as a practice that puts skincare first. While the business outside the country was once limited to cult products stowed away in checked luggage or discovered at small shops in Koreatown, it is now a global business estimated to be worth $10.2 billion in 2019, according to Allied Market Research.

K-Beauty is the focus of a new four-part documentary series at ELLE titled How K-Beauty Took Over the World. The new series will dive into all aspects of K-Beauty: the skincare, the ingredients, how we got here, what the true origins of the practice are-typically rituals passed down like kimchi recipes from the original beauty experts, grandmothers-and how K-pop stars and TV dramas are forever changing the facial structures of our face.

The rise of K-Beauty reflects a complete shift in skincare. Because of trends originating from Korea, many skin enthusiasts worldwide now double cleanse, wear sheet masks, and spread snail mucin on their faces all in the name of healthier pores. But K-Beauty is more than skin deep-its prevalence has created deeply felt cultural shifts from its advocates. "My way of making friends and getting people to accept more of my culture was honestly through skincare," explains Ave Lee, a New York-based skincare content creator and expert, in the series. They were enthralled with the skincare she brought from home to her dorm room, and she started bringing gifts back from trips home to give all her friends a taste of Korea." That same process is now playing out on the shelves of Sephora and Urban Outfitters across the world.

The next trend to go global from Korea could have an even greater effect on the way we think about beauty. Beyond skincare, South Korea is also the plastic surgery capital of the world, and Dr. Donald Yoo, a Beverly Hills-based celebrity plastic surgeon who specializes in facial reconstruction procedures, is already starting to do much of the same work here in the U.S. Is it possible the global phenomenon of K beauty won't just redefine skincare but the way our faces look, too?

Sit back, put on a sheet mask, and tune in to How K Beauty Took Over The World when the first episode launches on YouTube at the end of August.

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South K orea has quietly become Hollywood's biggest competitor, churning out wildly popular music, TV dramas, and beauty and fashion trends with global appeal. This week, ELLE celebrates the K-World we're all living in. Beauty trends and products originating from South Korea, known as K-Beauty, are now worldwide.

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Lab Grown Diamond Market Size, Share, Trends | Growth [2032]

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The global lab grown diamond market size was valued at $22.79 billion in 2023 & is projected to grow from $25.89 billion in 2024 to $74.45 billion by 2032

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Lab Grown Diamonds Market Size, Share, Trends, Report - 2032

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The lab grown diamonds market size is to hit USD 59.2 billion by 2032; the North American region is the largest consumer in the market.

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Despite Headwinds, Cartier-Scion Jean Dousset Says The Future Is Set In Lab-Grown Diamonds

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As the great-great grandson of Louis Cartier, Jean Dousset is following in his forefather’s footsteps, innovating the luxury market with lab-grown diamond jewelry.

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K-beauty Products Market Size, Share & Growth Report 2030

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The global K-beauty products market size was valued at USD 91.99 billion in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% from 2023 to 2030

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K-Beauty Products Market Size, Share and Forecast to 2032

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The global K-beauty products market size is expected to reach USD 25.98 billion in 2032, the Asia Pacific will likely command the market for the k-beauty product.

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K-Beauty Products Market Size, Share & Growth Forecast

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The global K-beauty products market size was valued USD 14,689.5 Million 2024 & is estimated to reach USD 31,818.4 Million 2033 at a CAGR of 8.97%.

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K-Beauty Products Market Report 2025 - K-Beauty Products Market Outlook, Size, Trends, Key Drivers

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K-Beauty Products Market 2025: Projected to hit USD 16.15B by 2029 at 6.6% CAGR. Access in-depth analysis on trends, market dynamics, and competitive landscape for data-driven decisions.

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K-Beauty Products Market Size Worth $225.69 Billion By 2032 | CAGR: 9.4%

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Global K-Beauty Products Market size will exceed a valuation of USD 225.69 billion by 2032, to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period.

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Emerging Alternative Leathers 2024-2034: Technologies, Trends, Players

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This report comprehensively identifies the major technologies and trends in the vegan bio-based leather market including mycelium leather, plant-based leather, microbial leather and lab-grown leather. The report identifies 70+ companies, analyzing technological readiness, manufacturing processes, material benchmarking, applications, and challenges. A 10-year market forecast highlights the growth in demand for vegan bio-based leather.

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Synthetic Leather Market Size, Share & Trends Report 2030

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The global synthetic leather market size was valued at USD 38.98 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2024 to 2030

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Until recently, there have been no serious competing materials for animal and plastic (synthetic) leather. A new generation of bio-based alternatives aims to displace these incumbent materials with plastic-free, sustainable alternatives. An extensive breakdown of leather alternatives, technologies, market players, and outlook is available in IDTechEx's brand-new market report, " Emerging Alternative Leathers 2024-2034: Technologies, Trends, Players".

What are the major issues with incumbent leather materials?

According to the UN, animal cultivation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, with estimates ranging between 10-20% of total emissions. Increasingly, consumers are demanding sustainable materials that are animal-free. This is driven by heightened awareness of the environmental impact of animal leather and vegan movements rejecting the utilization of animals entirely.

Until now, the only alternative to compete with animal leather has been plastic leather, which has been marketed as vegan leather. Presently, plastic leather production far exceeds that of animal leather when measured by surface area. Unfortunately, plastic leather has sustainability problems. These include the fact that it is currently a hugely challenging material to recycle due to its composition and that almost all plastic utilized is derived from petrochemicals. The argument against plastic leather is far more straightforward than that of animal leather and limiting its use is a necessity to preventing environmental damage.

Answering the demand for alternatives

Over 70 companies with a cumulative US$1.2 billion of funding have entered the market, aiming to produce a competing material. Most of these are startups entering the market in the last 3-5 years. The exciting move into this space has been bolstered by many key brand partnerships providing funding and raising awareness of these new materials.

What are vegan bio-based leathers made from?

Four major technology categories currently exist in the vegan bio-based leather market. Each is a different approach to producing an animal-free, plastic-free, and sustainable alternative to incumbent leathers.
The four major technology categories. With a few notable exceptions, these are the four main approaches to producing vegan biobased leather alternatives. Source: IDTechEx
Mycelium leather: sometimes referred to as mushroom leather. It is made from the root like mycelium hyphae which grow into a dense mat.

Plant-based leather: refers to leather alternatives that use plant fibers as the major feedstock. Many companies utilize the byproducts of the agricultural industry, while others utilize purpose-cultivated crops. The feedstocks are wide-ranging and include pineapples, apple skin, cacti, and grapes, among many others.

Microbial leather: producing leather from the fermentation products of bacteria and fungi. This can include cellulose, collagen, spider silk, or PHB.

Lab-grown leather: an ambitious technology pursued by a small number of companies that aim to reproduce animal skin in lab conditions by harvesting skin cells from animals and then cultivating them.

Major opportunities and challenges for vegan bio-based leather

One of the major challenges for vegan bio-based leathers is to achieve the necessary material properties while being plastic-free. Additionally, the material must compete on price; otherwise, large-scale adoption will be untenable. Being sustainable alone will not be enough to convince consumers and manufacturers to choose these materials.

While the current volume of vegan bio-based leather materials is a small fraction of the total leather materials production globally, the scope for expansion is great. Even capturing a small percentage of this total market presents a huge opportunity. With so many recent arrivals to the market and increasing competition, the next decade is expected to see more companies attempt to break into the market. Additionally, the emergence of players with large production volumes will result in vegan bio-based leathers being adopted into a range of new applications.

Vegan bio-based leather market forecast

IDTechEx guides your strategic business decisions through its Research, Subscription and Consultancy products, helping you profit from emerging technologies. For more information, contact research@IDTechEx.com or visit www.IDTechEx.com.

Upcoming free-to-attend webinar

Vegan Leather: New Bio-based Materials Aiming to Disrupt the Leather Industry

In this webinar, IDTechEx will cover the potential opportunities of emerging vegan bio-based leather materials. The webinar will include:

Background on animal and plastic (synthetic) leathers

Market drivers, including consumer, brand and regulatory drivers

An introduction to the emerging technologies including plant-based leather, mycelium leather (mushroom), microbial leather (fermentation) and lab grown leather (cell-culture)

The go to market strategy approaches and applications of these materials

IDTechEx's outlook and conclusions

To find out more and register your place on one of our three sessions, please click here. If you are unable to make the date, please register anyway to receive the links to the on-demand recording (available for a limited time) and webinar slides as soon as they are available.

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Alternative Leather: Next Generation Bio-based Alternatives

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IDTechEx Research Article: Until recently, there have been no serious competing materials for animal and plastic (synthetic) leather. A new generation of bio-based alternatives aims to displace these incumbent materials with plastic-free, sustainable alternatives.

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Vegan Leather Market Size and Share | Statistics - 2030

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In 2023, the Vegan Leather Market reached a value of USD 73.38 billion, and it is projected to surge to USD 139.02 billion by 2030.

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The Rise of Lab-Grown Diamonds | Gordon Brothers

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Gordon Brothers explores how the emergence of manufactured stones is rearranging industry economics.

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Leather, animal skins and hides that have been treated with chemicals to preserve them and make them suitable for use in clothing, footwear, handbags, furniture, tools, etc. Common leathers come from cattle, sheep, goats, equine animals, buffalo, pigs, and such aquatic animals as seals, walrus, whales, and alligators.

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Other brands soon followed. Adidas announced that it had made its first Stan Smith sneakers in the alternative leather in 2021, Lululemon created its first yoga products made from Mylo later that year, and Ganni launched a small range of accessories made from the material in 2022. In October 2020, a consortium of four companies - Stella McCartney, Kering, Adidas and Lululemon - invested seven-figure sums in Bolt Threads in order to help develop the alternative leather and produce the material on a larger scale. These were not equity investments, says Widmaier, but "a commitment to help bring the product from lab to real products". Kering and Ganni declined to comment. Adidas and Lululemon did not respond to requests for comment by the time of publication.

"The Bolt Threads team pioneered an entirely new form of material innovation, leading the way for others to continue their mission of creating a fashion industry that is kinder to our fellow creatures and Mother Earth," the Stella McCartney team said in a statement to Vogue Business. "We are incredibly proud of the work we have done together since our collaboration began in 2017. Next-generation innovators have the vision, but it is up to brands and consumers to see the value in supporting start-ups that disrupt our industry for the better. At Stella McCartney we continue to support alternative materials for a more sustainable future."

In February 2023, Stella McCartney - which had previously lamented the design limitations of Mylo - sent updated versions of the Falabella and Frayme bags down her Autumn/Winter 2023 catwalk, using Mirum, the Mylo competitor made by Natural Fiber Welding, as well as the Mylo Frayme bag in a new white colourway. However, Widmaier suggested that the emergence of other competitors on the market was not a factor behind the decision to halt production on Mylo. "I saw no tangible effect from many of the participants entering the market," he says.

The future is uncertain for Mylo's brand partnerships. "I'm proud of the work the consortium members and others did to make real products from Mylo and bring them to market," says Widmaier. "Depending on the path forward that emerges in the next few months, those products may resume production again."

Boston-based cell programming platform Ginkgo Bioworks formed a multi-project partnership with Bolt Threads in October 2022, hoping to increase the growth rate of Mylo and lower production costs. "The potential for animal-free leathers is huge and we will be here when Bolt Threads picks the Mylo line of work back up," says Ginkgo Bioworks CEO Jason Kelly.

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Stella McCartney-backed leather alternative Mylo halts production

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US startup Bolt Threads has called time on its mycelium-based leather alternative Mylo - backed by Stella McCartney, Kering and Adidas - after failing to secure the funding necessary to scale, CEO Dan Widmaier tells Vogue Business.

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【D&A Knowledge Hub】Is Vegan Leather a Sustainable Option? - Edge

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In recent years, the fashion industry has begun to pay attention to sustainability and animal welfare. Some brands with vegan leather as their selling point have emerged one after another. The so-called vegan leather generally refers to leather without any animal footprints, and there cannot be any animal testing in the process of leather manufacturing.

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sustainability, affordability, tech advancements (similar to genuine diamonds)

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Affordability, clean beauty, Korean culture, social media

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Sustainability, affordability, tech advances (similar to real leather)

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The latest in fashion consumer behaviour, from buying habits to cultural retail trends to the effects of TikTok on the Gen Z market.

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The sustainability consumer trend refers to the increasing focus on environmentally and socially responsible products and practices when making purchasing decisions. This trend is driven by growing public awareness of environmental issues and a desire to minimize negative impacts. Consumers are not only looking for products that are sustainable but also for businesses that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability throughout their operations.

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Jordan Bar Am and Vinit Doshi and Steve Noble and Anandi Malik

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Consumers care about sustainability—and back it up with their wallets

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A joint study from McKinsey and NielsenIQ examines whether or not consumers really do care about sustainability when it comes to ESG claims on packaging.

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Following on from the 2019 CEW Beauty Awards Product Demonstration Evening, new research from Mintel highlights the trends driving innovation in skincare, colour cosmetics and haircare in the UK beauty market.

The UK takes the global top spot for facial skincare launches targeting the skin microbiome

Recognising the importance of the skin's unique ecosystem, the UK is leading the way globally for facial skincare launches targeting the skin microbiome. Over 37% of the world's launches in 2018 were in the UK, followed by the US (25%) and France (15%) - according to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD).

As consumers embrace a 'treat yourself' mindset, prestige/luxury facial skincare accounted for 71% of launches in the UK in 2018, compared to 54% 10 years ago (in 2008).

In contrast, budget and mass facial skincare launches are losing out, slightly declining from 14% of all UK launches in 2008 to just 10% in 2018.

The UK is the European leader for clean colour cosmetics launches

The importance of being transparent and toxin free has never been greater: in 2018, the UK was the leading European market for 'clean'* colour cosmetics launches, and second globally only to the US. Indeed, the UK accounted for 21% of all global 'clean' colour cosmetics launches in 2018.

Mintel also reveals that the UK is the 4th biggest colour cosmetics market globally, valued at an estimated £2.1 billion in 2018 - following beauty powerhouses US, Japan and China. Brits are also the 4th biggest colour cosmetics spenders, with an average per capita spend of £32 per year.

Beyond the plate - The rise of vegan and gluten-free haircare

Embracing beauty with a conscience, according to Mintel, vegan claims trebled in haircare between 2014-18 in the UK, rising from 6% of all launches in 2014 to an impressive one in five (20%) in 2018. In comparison, only 10% of haircare launches across the globe carried a vegan claim.

Meanwhile, gluten-free claims trebled in haircare between 2016-18 in the UK, rising from 3% of all launches in 2016 to 9% in 2018. In comparison, just 4% of haircare launches across the globe carried a gluten-free claim.

Ending with a touch of glamour, prestige/luxury haircare accounts for 29% of haircare launches in 2018, rising from just 12% in 2008. At the other end of the scale, budget/mass is rising too, from 30% in 2008 to 39% in 2018.

Caroline Neville MBE, President of CEW:
"With over 1,800 beauty brands operating in the country, it's no surprise that we are seeing some of the most exciting and creative innovation coming from the UK and shaping the future of beauty across the world. CEW nurtures and supports the leaders and brands that contribute to the success of the UK beauty business, giving them the means to achieve their vision and stay one step ahead."
Jane Henderson, Global President - Beauty and Personal Care Division at Mintel:
"The UK is a hotbed of beauty innovation, with major global trends emerging and developing. British skincare brands have been among the first to understand the importance of the microbiome, the natural bacteria found in and on the body which can be balanced through skincare. In the next 5-10 years, the skincare industry will expand from simply focusing on the microbiome to also include the exposome, ie external environmental factors like pathogens, fungi, pollution and plants that interact with our DNA and affect our health. This will inspire NPD that takes a bespoke and holistic approach to skincare and health, such as exposome-measuring wearable devices, bespoke ingestibles, personalised DNA nutrition, and products that boost skin health and personal air quality."

"The clean beauty movement started out in skincare and is now quickly moving into colour cosmetics, with the UK leading the way. Consumers are holistically looking to clean up their lifestyles, so clean makeup will become increasingly important in the coming years. Clean beauty is more than a trend, it's a lifestyle, and as such brands must adapt to the changing landscape to secure their place in the future market."
*Colour cosmetics products carrying 'free-from', 'natural' and 'ethical & environmental' claims

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The trends driving growth in the UK beauty market

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Mintel highlights the trends driving innovation in skincare, colour cosmetics and haircare in the UK beauty market.

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sustainable spending

no more cash!

leisure spending

subscription services

global instability and inflation

BNPL

experience>>>

health + wellness spending

local and sustainable products

generational differences in spending

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Global brands are expected to deliver exceptional service at scale in a way that feels “local,” providing experiences that are culturally relevant and adapted to local specificities.

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Why ‘glocalisation’ is the new golden standard in customer experience - Ecommerce Age

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‘Glocalisation’ has become the new golden standard in customer experience (CX), writes Étienne Mérineau, Co-founder of Heyday by Hootsuite…

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Wearable tech trends in 2025 are focused on healthcare monitoring, advanced sensors, and AI integration, with a growing market for smart glasses, smart jewelry, and sustainable wearables. The market is expected to continue its strong growth, driven by increasing consumer demand for fitness tracking, health data, and enhanced connectivity.

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wearable technology market - global wearable technology industry size

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Wearable Technology Market Size | Industry Report, 2030

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The global wearable technology market size was estimated at USD 84.2 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 13.6% from 2025 to 2030

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Vegan fashion is a growing trend that focuses on creating clothing, footwear, and accessories without using any animal-derived materials.

fur and leather alternatives

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Whether you're looking into veganism or just prefer to sport cruelty-free clothes, read on to learn all about what vegan fashion is and why it's gaining popularity, and how you can make the switch yourself.
In 2019, researchers at Oxford University published a paper concluding that switching to a plant-based diet can positively impact our health and the environment. This is excellent news for those of us who care about the wellbeing of people, animals, and the planet. But did you know veganism isn't just about food? People who follow a vegan lifestyle also choose not to animals, either. And some people may choose to support cruelty-free fashion even if they aren't vegan in their day-to-day life. So, let's take a look together to answer the question: what is vegan fashion?

In the fashion sphere, the vegan trend isn't new-technically, our basic organic cotton t-shirt or ubiquitous jeans, for example, are vegan in that they contain no animal substances. However, brands' use of terminology such as "vegan" and "cruelty-free" has been gaining prominence over the years. This uptick is partly thanks to conscious consumers keen on extending their vegan principles to all areas of their life, beyond the plant-based food and animal-free cosmetics they may already purchase. In a recent poll of 14,000 people by our friends over at global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS , "almost 90% of respondents want the fashion industry to prioritise animal welfare alongside environmental protection and social standards." This is fantastic news for animals and the future of vegan fashion.

But even if you don't call yourself vegan in everyday life, you may still be tempted by vegan or cruelty-free fashion. Why? Because the interesting thing about it is that it seems to win hands down over conventional fashion in terms of several human, environmental, and of course, animal welfare impacts. Let's see what all the fuss is about.

A few definitions

Most of us will be familiar with the terms "vegan" and "cruelty-free" in the context of food and beauty products. Whilst there is no overarching legal definition of these terms, the beauty industry has typically defined them as follows:

vegan: a product that contains no animal, or animal-derived, substances; and

cruelty-free: a product that has not been tested, and whose ingredients have not been tested, on animals

In the beauty industry, these terms refer to two different things: one is the product elaboration process (is it carried out without involving animals?), the other is the finished product (does it contain any substances of animal origin?). Here's the tricky-and slightly misleading-part: a product can be vegan but not cruelty-free if it contains no animal products but was tested on animals. And vice versa: it could be labelled "cruelty-free" due to no animal testing but contain animal substances, thus resulting in a non-vegan product. So for discerning consumers, the distinction is important.

In the fashion industry, there is less of a distinction between the terms "vegan" and "cruelty-free" for the simple reason that there is no obligation to carry out animal testing for apparel and accessories. So in fashion, the terms tend to be used interchangeably. That said, for the super-conscious consumer, understanding what goes on in the beauty space can help us make certain choices in fashion. For example, if a company sells "vegan" clothes, would we still buy them knowing that the same brand tests its fragrances and cosmetics on animals?

Animals are being exploited on fur farms, cattle ranches, and abattoirs, to name a few, and the lack of transparency and traceability on the part of brands means that consumers can't know in what conditions the animals ending up in our fashion items were reared, transported, or slaughtered.

Global organisations such as Humane Society International and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have documented widespread abuse of animals for the sake of fashion . Some of us will remember PETA's campaign featuring supermodels bearing the slogan: "I'd rather go naked than wear fur".

Granted, not everyone is tempted by or can afford fur-though it is often found in relatively inexpensive trimmings and accessories too. But take good old leather, widely present in both fashion apparel and accessories. The leather industry is rife with animal cruelty, lack of regulation and enforcement, and labour abuses , including tanneries employing underage children and harming their workers and communities with toxic chemicals. Due to complex supply chains, most of the world's leather is untraceable, so it could also be contributing to deforestation in the Amazon . And don't get us started on the fallacy of leather being a by-product of the meat industry , about which we've written previously.

Even for those of us who would choose not to wear anything originating from a dead animal, such as fur, leather, or other skins, it's still worth bearing in mind that animals used (as opposed to killed) for fashion suffer immensely. So if you are concerned about animal welfare, you may want to consider moving away from wool, angora, and all other animal-derived materials, too.

Due to a combination of hard-hitting public campaigns and consumers demanding greater accountability from companies, the fashion world has seen major shifts towards a more compassionate approach. Fashion weeks such as London, Amsterdam, and Melbourne have become fur-free-with Helsinki going one step further by also becoming leather-free and skins-free. Likewise, fashion heavyweights such as Prada, Gucci, and Burberry have dropped fur from their collections. Mulberry and Diane von Furstenberg have dropped exotic skins, whilst Chanel is the first luxury house to have dropped both fur and exotic skins. And high street brands are on it, too: and , for instance, have both dropped exotic skins. Of course, as some of those brands might still use leather, wool, and other animal-derived materials, they cannot be called vegan brands.

Nonetheless, such changes are a step forward not only in terms of animal welfare but also from an environmental impact perspective: released in 2017 concluded that from the perspective of environmental degradation, three out of the four worst fabrics are animal-derived, the four fabrics in question being: leather, silk, conventional cotton, and wool-yet another reason to choose vegan fashion. For a concise guide on the environmental impacts of animal products in fashion , check out our existing article.

Let's get dressed

If you are that way inclined, switching to vegan fashion is, in fact, extremely easy.

Here are a few suggestions:

refer to the Good On You ratings-we've done a lot of the hard work for you, so if you're unsure how a brand fares with animals, check our Directory . Alongside the labour and environmental pillars, animal welfare is our third pillar when we rate brands. We'll tell you whether a brand has a formal animal welfare policy in place and how much transparency there is in its supply chain. You'll also see which (if any) animal products it uses, including fur, angora, down, exotic skins, wool, and leather

some brands have been vetted by PETA from an animal welfare perspective and are authorised to carry the "PETA-approved vegan" logo, which you can keep an eye out for

check your clothes labels-here are some suggestions for sustainable vegan fabrics

look out for the innovative vegan fabrics already out there and currently being developed: from lab-grown silk or silk derived from citrus residue to vegan leather alternatives made from fruit to leaves and back again (including the upcoming fungi-derived Mylo leather , developed thanks to collaboration among prominent industry players), to recyclable nylon known as made from abandoned fishing nets, the future of vegan fabrics is promising

Vegan is the new green

Choosing vegan fashion makes sense for animal welfare and environmental reasons-and, particularly in the case of leather, often for social sustainability reasons too-and there are plenty of ways you can ensure that your wardrobe benefits both animals and the planet.

We'll leave you with these words, which highlight the interconnectedness of the two:

Compassion towards animals deserves to be added as a UN Sustainable Development Goal because it is an issue of justice and science that is tied to some of the most harmful industries on the planet
Joshua Katcher

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Some people may choose to support cruelty-free fashion even if they aren't vegan in their day-to-day life. But what is vegan fashion exactly?

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Stella

H&M

Balenciaga

Zara

Mylo (mushroom leather)

Pinatex (pineapple leather)

Hermes

Most of high street, less of luxury (increasing)

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Sulwhasoo

Laniege (huge)

Peach and Lily

Glow recipe (huge)

Innisfree

I'm From

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Korean beauty brands: 23 of the best to have on your radar

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Korean beauty is having a major boom and it’s no surprise. Here we have found 23 of the best Korean beauty brands you must consider trying.

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Vrai

Blue Nile

Swarovski

Pandora

De Beers

Prada

Tag Heur

Mejuri

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K-beauty is the international name (and modern name) given to Korean beauty. It refers to the wildly popular trend of certain Korean beauty regimes and products.

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The K-Beauty Craze That Never Ends Review

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South Korea has made a significant impact on the skincare, beauty, and especially the pop music scene for the better. Here is why.

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The fashion industry has typically focused on youth. But with shoppers over 50 representing a growing share of global spend, smart brands are showcasing their inter-generational appeal, according to the BoF-McKinsey State of Fashion 2025.

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Historically rooted in different Kingdoms

People believe the skin represented the soul

Gained popularity through the rise of K-Culture (music, food, tv, etc)

Products like BB cream were pioneers in the global rise

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Invented in the 19th century during war times because leather was scarce

Gained popularity due to invention of PU and PVC, making it widely accessible

Consumer value shifts (sustainability/ethics/affordability) caused uprising

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Invented in 1950s, didn't hit mass market until 80's

Popularity rose due to consumers realizing the affects of the diamond industry (sustainability and ethics, e.g. blood diamonds)

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Second-hand is Replacing New in Wardrobes Across Europe, According to Vinted's Latest Impact Report. In 2023 alone, Vinted members helped avoid 679 kilotonnes of CO2e by buying second-hand instead of new. Two-thirds (65%) of Vinted members have a quarter or more of their wardrobes made up of second-hand items.

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Vinted's CEO Thomas Plantenga said the findings show second-hand fashion has the potential to become "the first choice" for consumers in Europe. Credit: Shutterstock.

Vinted surveyed 100,000 of its members in Belgium, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Poland and the Netherlands. It analysed the results alongside independent analysis from climate technology start-up Vaayu, shedding light on the growing second-hand market for apparel.

Research from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) found that there were 1.6bn items of unworn clothing in UK wardrobes alone, making the second-hand market a key resource.

Vinted's CEO Thomas Plantenga said the findings show second-hand fashion has the potential to become "the first choice" for consumers in Europe.

"These findings encourage us to continue to invest in making second-hand easy and accessible to everyone in society. However, despite this positive trend, second-hand remains a very small part of the fashion market. Thus there is lots of work and potential ahead of us."

Which consumers are buying and selling second-hand clothing?

Millennials are Vinted's biggest market, making up 44% of the marketplace's users, followed by Gen X who make up 32% of users.

Vinted found Millennials were most likely to re-invest money from items sold on the site into purchasing other second-hand items, while Gen Z users were more likely to withdraw money earned from selling.

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Both Gen Z and Millennial buyers reported a "strong preference" for cheaper shipping.

Why are consumers choosing second-hand?

As the cost-of-living crisis continues, it is perhaps no surprise that eight in 10 Vinted users said the site enables them to purchase cheaper items or items they would not otherwise be able to afford.

However, 19% of Vinted users were motivated to use the site because they believe resale is "the right thing to do", this increased to 26% of users in France and 22% in Germany.

A fifth of Vinted users (20%) said they would still buy second-hand items if they were the same price as new.

One user told Vinted: "I love buying bigger ticket items which have only been worn once or twice and then it's ready to be moved on - things like wedding outfits. It's better for the planet and saves beautiful clothing wasting away in wardrobes."

How is resale changing consumer habits?

The research found 65% of Vinted users say they prefer to buy fewer, more expensive items rather than more items that are cheaper. 84% of users said the second-hand items they buy on Vinted were the same or better quality than new ones.

Almost two-thirds of Vinted members (65%) said a quarter of the items in their wardrobe are second-hand and 37% said second-hand makes up half or more of their wardrobe.

Vinted's report also suggested that selling clothing second-hand motivates sellers to take better care of their clothes. Over a third (36%) of users said they were more careful with clothing because of the opportunity to resell items.

This may also be motivating Vinted users to spend more on any new clothing they do purchase, with 22% saying they buy better quality items knowing they can later re-sell them.

Are second-hand sales better for the planet?

The researchers estimated that each second-hand purchase saves around 1.25kg in CO2e emissions and in total Vinted users have saved around 679 kilotonnes of CO2 by buying second-hand instead of new in 2023.

For some products, this is expected to be higher - at 2kg CO2e for womens' jeans and 2.44kg CO2e for mens' suits and blazers.

Most sellers on Vinted (88%) said the items they sell on the site could be worn for just as long as a brand-new item.

It is important to note the resale market will still have an impact on the climate, particularly through deliveries, packaging and operations.

Vinted reported an increase in its emissions per delivery, which it attributed to a change in Vaayu's calculating models for individual parcels, increasing from 1.63kg CO2e per delivery in 2023, up from 1.28kg CO2e in 2021.

The company is focusing on its logistics operations to lower the impact of deliveries, promoting pick-up points to its users as these require fewer deliveries. In 2022, 75% of Vinted orders were collected from pick-up points instead of being delivered to homes.

Vinted's senior director of sustainability Marianne Gybels said: "We are starting to see the wider impact resale has on people's shopping habits, which is promising for the climate. These insights will help us to further develop our sustainability strategy and increase the positive impact of trading second-hand. At the same time, we're working hard to reduce the emissions from our own operations. We believe these two things should go hand-in-hand."

In March 2024, Vinted reported its first-ever profit, as well as revenue growth of 61% in 2023 to €596.3m ($636.3m).

In March 2024, a report from Thredup estimated that the global second-hand apparel market will be worth $350bn by 2028 and will comprise 10% of the fashion market worldwide by 2025.

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How Vinted is transforming the second-hand market

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Vinted reports its users are choosing to purchase fewer, longer-lasting second-hand items over higher volumes of fast fashion.

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7.02% CAGR

Rise of innovative bio-based alternatives

Rise in the automative industry

Tapping into emotional value

Pressure to balance cost, quality, and sustainability

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CAGR of 8.97%

Use of AI

Authenticity/transparency (consumers don't like being lied to)

Multi-functional routines (less complex)

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14.11% CAGR

Asia-Pacific fastest growth

Perceived value going down due to falling prices

Sustainability rules

Economic slowdown

Growth outside of engagement rings

Innovative cuts/personalization

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long-term value and resale

environmental claims

less desirable/rare

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routines are excessive

unrealistic skin ideals

false sustainability claims

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Environmental impact of plastic alternatives

Quality of alternatives (durability, peeling, etc)

Alternatives are less luxurious

Eco-friendly greenwashing

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The trend in lab-grown diamonds is a significant and growing shift in the jewelry industry, driven by ethical considerations, affordability, and increasing demand, particularly among younger consumers. Lab-grown diamonds, created in controlled laboratory environments, offer a more sustainable and affordable alternative to mined diamonds, leading to a surge in popularity, especially for engagement rings.

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Lab Grown Diamond Market Size, Share, Trends | Growth [2032]

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The global lab grown diamond market size was valued at $22.79 billion in 2023 & is projected to grow from $25.89 billion in 2024 to $74.45 billion by 2032

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Health and wellness trends are moving towards a more holistic and personalized approach, with a strong emphasis on natural and functional ingredients, and a growing focus on sleep, mindfulness, and community-driven activities. People are increasingly looking for ways to improve their overall well-being, not just physical health, but also mental and emotional health.

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The Next Normal – The future of wellness

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The wellness industry is booming—and consumers intend to keep spending more on products that improve their health, fitness, nutrition, appearance, sleep, and mindfulness.

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The personalization trend in fashion is a broad movement where brands are increasingly offering custom or bespoke services, allowing consumers to tailor their clothing and accessories to their individual preferences and needs. This trend is driven by a desire for individuality, changing consumer preferences, and advancements in technology that enable personalized experiences.

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Why Hyper-personalisation In Fashion Increases Conversion

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Why hyper-personalisation in fashion increases conversion. Personalisation is not a new concept. Brands have long known that tailoring their

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7 K-Beauty Trends That Will Be Huge in 2025

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Two K-beauty experts weigh in on the Korean skin-care trends to know in 2025—plus the products you can shop now.

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So Much K-Beauty! Here Are the Products You Really Need

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Hundreds of hours of testing boil down to this elite curation.

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From the horrors of factory farming to the health issues affecting workers, and its high carbon footprint, the leather industry has a whole host of sustainability issues. And it really begs the question: is it worth it for a pair of shoes? If buying leather doesn't sit right with you, there are plenty of amazing alternatives out there. Read on to discover the most notable leather alternatives in fashion.
Innovative leather alternatives that are worth checking out

There's no denying that leather is a classic, durable material. For thousands of years, humans have benefited from animal hide as a by-product of hunting, using it for clothing, shelter, and tools. These days, in the era of factory farming and mass production, leather is considered a profitable co-product, which comes with its own set of ethical issues. And for consumers who are concerned about the impact of their fabric choices on animals, workers, and the environment, leather can be a questionable investment.

The good news is that innovators the world over are developing alternatives to be as hardy as leather, and that address the welfare issues associated with animal-derived hides.

The industry is constantly evolving, and there are many exciting materials to discover, but it is important to keep in mind that few of them have been widely adopted by the industry at the time of writing. Not only does this indicate challenges in a broad mindset change from fashion's biggest brands, but in the industry's trust that these new materials can truly rival traditional leather's durability and other characteristics. Additionally, many of these materials still rely on some element of plastic (some bio-based) or fossil-fuel-derived materials for durability, even if it's not to the levels that PVC does, for instance.

A note on choosing materials based on your values

We appreciate that materials and fibres in fashion are a complex issue. Through our research, we found there is no established hierarchy of sustainability for materials in the fashion industry, and very limited comparable data (eg Life Cycle Analysis). What is clear is that every single material on the market today has some sort of trade-off and impact on the planet, and a mixture of preferred materials is needed going forward.

At Good On You, we do our best to make sense of the complex materials world by independently analysing the information that is out there and consulting with industry experts. We recognise that the impacts of a given material can vary based on where and how it was produced. We also welcome all the innovation around novel materials. But as always, we are looking for solid science to assess them against all the main areas of environmental impact

Our list of lower-impact materials is constantly evolving as more research and data comes to light.

We believe that you are the final decision maker when choosing materials for yourself. Figure out what is most important to you and let information guide your process.

Of course, materials are not the only issue a brand should be addressing. For example, a brand using vegan materials but not addressing greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain, hazardous chemicals in dyeing, textile waste, or labour rights issues is far from best practice, but using more sustainable materials is a good base upon which to build a responsible brand.

Piñatex

Piñatex is a leather alternative made from pineapple leaf fibres. This innovative material manufactured by Ananas Anam, featured in Vogue, is taking the fashion world by storm.

The material is made by sun-drying long fibres derived from banana leaves, and then felting them together with a corn-based polylactic acid (PLA) to create Piñafelt-a base material. After that, special finishes are applied to the Piñafelt to achieve the range of commercial materials in Ananas Anam's collection, including Piñatex. Not only is it a plant-based and more responsible material, but it also supports local farming communities by providing extra income from something that was previously discarded as waste.

Piñatex is not 100% biodegradable, however. According to Ananas Anam, the PLA used in the substrate/base material Piñafelt is only biodegradable under controlled industry conditions as it is formed of 20% PLA (the other 80% is banana leaf fibres), while Piñatex itself is coated by a REACH-compliant water-based polyurethane (PU) resin. "We have optimised the maximum amount of bio-based PU we can use while still ensuring longevity to our materials," explains the company.

The fashion industry has shown a good level of interest in Piñatex, with the likes of Mashu ("Good"), NAE ("Good"), and H&M ("Not Good Enough") choosing the material for their designs, but more is needed for Piñatex to gain momentum.

Mirum

Natural Fibre Welding (NFW), the company behind Mirum, describes it as the world's first plastic-free leather alternative. Made from responsibly sourced natural rubber, plant-based oil, natural pigments, and minerals, Mirum has been developed as an adaptable material that can be customised in its colour, texture, finish, and thickness thanks to plant-based inputs. Mirum is "created using NFW's patented plant-based curative - the first bioneutral alternative to petrochemical-based systems."

Among those investing in the material are Pangaia ("Good"), Stella McCartney ("Good"), and Allbirds ("It's a Start"), and back in September 2023, NFW agreed a partnership with industrial technology company IPCO to help scale up its Mirum production. Could this be the non-fossil fuel leather alternative the industry has been waiting for?

Bio-Tex

Another promising vegan leather alternative is Modern Meadow's Bio-Tex using Bio Alloy technology, which is produced through a unique fermentation process using natural materials like sugar and yeast. This cutting-edge bio-based material has a soft, luxurious texture that rivals traditional leather. According to Modern Meadow, greenhouse gas emissions from producing Bio-Tex could be reduced by 91% compared to traditional chrome-tanned leather.

Like most materials on this list, Bio-Tex has been used in a small number of products, including by Everlane ("It's a Start"). Most recently, Tory Burch ("We Avoid") used it in a handbag design.

Desserto

Adriano Di Marti Company's cactus leather, Desserto is another exciting vegan leather alternative. This material is made from the prickly pear cactus, which is abundant in Mexico and other parts of the world, and has a "water-efficient metabolism" that limits the amount of excess water needed to cultivate it.

The Desserto production process does not require harmful chemicals or excessive water usage thanks to local rainwater at the company's ranch in Mexico's Zacatecas state. Desserto can be used for everything from trainers to watch straps and wallets, and has seen good uptake across the fashion industry with the likes of Balenciaga ("It's a Start"), Hublot ("Not Good Enough"), Onitsuka Tiger ("Not Good Enough"), and more applying the material in their designs.

In a February 2023 article, The Guardian reported that in 2021 the FILK Freiberg Institute investigated leather alternatives and found "the presence of chemicals and plastics in a range of leather alternatives suggested Desserto does contain PU, and found five restricted chemical substances in the sample tested". The brand responded saying it was due to cross-contamination.

Malai

Made from agricultural waste from Southern India's coconut industry, Malai material resembles real leather, but its maker notes that it shouldn't be considered an animal leather imitation, since it has different properties.

Malai's manufacture uses wastewater from coconut processing (which would otherwise be dumped into the environment, causing pollution) to feed bacterial culture in a fermentation process. After 12-14 days, a sheet of material is produced, and it is refined with gums, natural fibres and resins to achieve the durable Malai material. And because the material is made out of wastewater and natural fibres, you can pop it into the compost once you are finished with it.

However, Malai is vulnerable to humidity, and its maker explains that: "Although tough by nature... Malai will eventually start to break down. We cannot predict the exact rate at which this will happen because it is very specific to its treatment and the environment, but if properly cared for a product from Malai shall last anything from 4-8 years."

So far, uptake by the industry has been slow, with a handful of small regional brands using the material in their designs.

Apple Skin

Another byproduct leather comes from apple harvesting. Made from discarded skin and cores, Apple Skin looks similar to real leather but has a paper-like feel. That's actually a bonus, because the texture lends itself to easily adding different backings, coatings, and effects depending on the design it's being used for. The material does incorporate water-based PU, and there's no record yet of whether Apple Skin is biodegradable. "Good" brand VEERAH has used Apple Skin in a range of its heels, and a small selection of other brands have, too.

VegaTex, the company behind Apple Skin, has branched out into other alternative leathers, too. It also offers Lemon Skin-made from the citrus fruit's pomace left over from the beverage industry, and Barley Skin, which uses spent grain from Budweiser's brewing process alongside a water-based PU.

Mylo

A few years ago, mushroom leather Mylo was touted as the next big thing in lower-impact materials-and it still could be. But the material's pioneer, Bolt Threads, paused production of Mylo in 2023 because of a lack of investment. Business of Fashion quoted the company's statement as saying: "Despite our intensive efforts, the current macroeconomic climate has made it increasingly difficult to secure the necessary capital to support the scale up of emerging technologies." Bolt Threads is still deciding whether it's feasible to restart production, but the news symbolises an overarching challenge in the alternative materials industry-securing the funds and infrastructure for materials whose true longevity is yet to be proven.

Mylo is made from mycelium-the root structure of mushrooms, and Bolt Threads had even engineered a process to grow mycelium in a vertical farming facility powered by 100% renewable energy.

So far, Mylo has mostly been used to create handbags and shoes by a handful of major brands, and with its high quality and durability, there's potential for it to be an important material for the fashion industry. In 2021, Stella McCartney ("Good") used Mylo to create a bustier top and utilitarian trousers for a Vogue shoot, and later produced bags with it, too. Ganni ("It's a Start") had also invested in Mylo for its accessories.

Note that while Mylo is predominantly made of mycelium, it also contains " some lyocell and a water-based polyurethane (PU) finish for added strength and durability to ensure Mylo products have a long and useful life ".

MuSkin

Another mushroom leather is this organic textile by Life Materials, dubbed MuSkin, which comes from the fungus Phellinus ellipsoideu s. Fungi can be grown to the specific size and shape required for designs. Waterproofing is necessary but can be done without harmful chemicals, making this a biodegradable alternative to leather. Softer than suede and antibacterial, this is a clever innovation to look out for in the future, but so far there's little evidence of investment from the fashion industry.

Waxed canvas and (organic) cotton

Waxed fabrics have long been used for jackets and bags, and in recent years have expanded to other clothing items. The wax is more responsible and protects you from the elements like leather does, and can easily be made to look as good as new through rewaxing, meaning your waxed garment can stay in your wardrobe for years. In fact, waxed garments make ideal second-hand purchases because they're so easy to restore.

Waxed cotton is used by many brands as a leather alternative, but not all of them use organic cotton, so make sure you double-check before purchasing.

Cork

If you are looking for a quirky, sturdy, and waterproof leather alternative, look no further. Cork leather has skyrocketed in popularity as a fashion material, because not only is it renewable, it is durable, light, and easy to keep looking good as new.

Cork is a plant fibre that comes from cork oak trees. With a lifespan of around 300 years, cork oak trees are harvested for their bark each decade, but the trees continue to live and grow, going on to produce more cork. The harvested material is dried over six months before being boiled and formed into a fabric. This fabric is often backed with a water-based polyurethane, though, meaning it can't be composted at home.

Recycled rubber

If you're after hardy leather accessories without the animal cruelty, recycled rubber could be right up your alley. While it is durable and easy to care for, it's important to note that this material takes a long time to break down, so it's best to invest for the long-term.

A lot of commercially available rubber doesn't even come from rubber trees anymore-it is entirely synthetic. That aside, we recommend recycled rubber products. You'll give new life to objects like tyres and even fire hoses.

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Mushrooms and More: 10 Innovative Leather Alternatives to Watch

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The modern leather industry is seriously ethically dubious. But fashion industry innovators are creating vegan leather alternatives every day.

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To this day, leather is one of the most coveted and standard brand materials in fashion. Leather is also the material behind some of the most coveted luxury brands in the world from the Hermès Birkin to the Chanel 2.55. Leather shoes, like virtually any men's loafer from Salvatore Ferragamo, are also a status symbol.

Leather has long had its place in the fashion pantheon of materials, but as companies work on providing more animal product alternatives, leather alternatives are on the rise. Mycelium, or mushroom leather, is one of the most popular animal leather alternatives on the rise. Companies, like MycoWorks, have made mushroom leather so popular, that Hermès adopted mushroom leather for their classic Victoria travel bag.

Mushroom leather is becoming increasingly popular

Stella McCartney, whose entire brand ethos is real leather-free, debuted a mushroom leather handbag at her October 2021 runway show. VegNews dubbed this the world's first vegan mushroom leather handbag, and it was no surprise Stella McCartney would be the catalyst in the leather alternative movement.

MycoWorks isn't the only company at the forefront of mushroom leather. New York-based material innovation company New Evocative is also a company to watch, and they were also the company behind Bolt Threads' Mylo mushroom leather, which Stella McCartney used to create mushroom leather handbags.

Both MycoWorks and new Evocative have seen substantial seed funding rounds and now have multi-million dollar valuations. Competition is growing in the leather category, although demand for leather doesn't appear to be waning anytime soon. However, consumers who want real leather alternatives are on the rise.

Mushroom leather might be one of the most popular leather alternatives right now, but it isn't the only one out there. Cactus, apple skin, and mango leather are growing in popularity as well. The term "bio-based leather" refers to these types of leathers.

Searches for vegan leathers are also on the rise, nearly tripling between 2020 and 2021, indicating a potential demand for leather alternatives. On the flip side, luxury leather goods are still expected to grow annually by a percentage of 4.32 percent.

There is concern about what will happen to traditional leather goods manufacturers and producers, but in a post-COVID-19 lockdown world, they appear to be faring well. Luxury brands, like Chanel, whose bread and butter are luxury leather handbags, are doing better than ever. The brand recently reported 15 billion dollars in revenue, and the Chanel Classic Flap Bag is one of the most coveted handbags on the market, fetching an 8200 dollar starting price tag.

The argument made by some in the fashion industry is that leather alternatives aren't as good or long-lasting quality as genuine leather. This makes it questionable as to if leather goods alternatives are as sustainable as they seem. Leather alternatives are also seen as expensive, and for companies to completely shift their supply chain would be costly. It's one thing to put out a couple pieces, but to switch a supply chain to full leather alternatives wouldn't come with a small price tag.

Still, today, it's important to give consumers choices. Leather alternatives will continue to trend as consumers demand animal-free materials, but the customer who wants traditional quality animal leathers is still a steady demographic.

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The rise in plant-based leather alternatives

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To this day, leather is one of the most coveted and standard brand materials in fashion. Leather is also the material behind some of the most coveted luxury brands in the world from the Hermès Birkin to the Chanel 2.55. Leather shoes, like virtually any men's loafer from Salvatore Ferragamo, are also a status symbol.