Consumers have figured it out: there is no good alternative to leather. Even those who would prefer the opposite are forced to admit it: there is no match when it comes to leather. In fact, there is a connection between leather and the return of the carnivorous diet. Not only that: also to the growing trend of consumption of animal products in beauty and wellness. But the truth is another. And it is simple: we already wrote it a few lines ago, but we feel like repeating it (that’s how it goes today…): with hides, there is no match.
Are vegan brands out?
“The carnivore is back. Are vegan brands out?” is the title of an article published in the beauty section of Vogue Business. The magazine explains how the carnivore diet seems to be back in fashion and how consumers are turning to animal products even in cosmetics. This shows how they are increasingly skeptical of “sustainable” or “vegan” products. The discussion then shifts to fashion, building on the same assumptions. “As with beauty, consumers have been disappointed with vegan fashion alternatives. They are increasingly aware of the important role that plastic plays in vegan alternatives to hides”.
Turning back to animal hides
“Now, buyers are returning to animal hides”, the magazine reads. But truth be told, they never left it behind. In fact, is enough to read fashion magazines, scroll through social media, or see runways to notice it. But then comes the opinion of content creator and author Andrea Cheong, who also hosts Kering’s Fashion Our Future podcast (oops…). Cheong is not supposed to be an unabashed supporter of leather, or at least Vogue Business makes it appear that way when she says, “Many people still think real leather is better”.
That adverb – “still” – betrays her supposed neutrality. Choeng, however, is forced to admit the supremacy of leather. Explaining it in two ways. First: the difficulty of Next Gen materials to achieve scalability and competitive pricing. Second: “Consumers’ perception of animal leather has improved. All alternatives have proven to be worthless. Especially in the long term, if you take into account durability and the fact that no one knows how they will wear out”.
There is no match when it comes to leather
The article goes on to host Karla Mora, founder and managing partner of Alante Capital, who looks at the issue from a financial perspective. “To win over a leather consumer, (the so-called alternative material ed.) should outperform the competition in terms of quality, price and style. When that happens, we expect it to take off regardless of the trend toward animal products”, Mora notes. In short, for now there is no match. We’ll discuss the topic again if, and when, Next Gen materials manage to equalize the quality, price and appearance of leather. Ad maiora!
Read also:
