What is Vegan Leather?
Vegan leather is an animal-friendly alternative to real leather, it can mean several different materials. Vegan leathers often include a combination of the following materials:
- Vegetan: This is a microfibre material that is specifically designed and used as an animal-friendly leather substitute.
- Lorica: This material is made out of several different microfibers.
- Birko-Flor: This is what eco-icon Birkenstock uses. It’s made out of acrylic and polyamide felt fibres. There are two kinds — the kind you find on normal Birks and a kind that looks like pleather.
- Birkibuc: Another Birkenstock baby. It’s made out of the same stuff, but looks and feels like nubuck leather.
- Polyurethane: This type of vegan leather is softer and more pliable making it more comfortable to wear.
- Kydex: This is an acrylic-PVC alloy. It’s produced by Kydex, a manufacturing company.
For people who love the look and functionality of leather but are committed to a lifestyle prohibiting the use of animal products, vegan leather is the right choice. Advancements in textile technology have resulted in materials visually indistinguishable from genuine leather. The difference between most artificial leather and vegan leather is the manufacturing process for vegan leathers excludes the use of any animal products!
WHAT IS PETA?
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 3 million members and supporters including a long list of celebrities.
PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer the most intensely for the longest periods of time: on factory farms, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry.
PETA works through public education, cruelty investigations, research, animal rescue, legislation, special events, celebrity involvement, and protest campaigns.
Mechaly is a proud member and supporter of PETA!