"There is no leather without a dead animal." – Csilla Herbszt, founder of The Pretty Planeteer

Did you know that there is an ethical alternative to conventional leather made from apples? Yes, you read that right! Nowadays, most fruit and vegetables can be made into sustainable non-animal leather. We'll discuss other vegan alternatives to leather in future posts. Today is all about the mighty, crunchy, doctor-recommended apple!

Waste goes to waste

The fruit industry is massive and generates tons of waste every day. The production of apple leather primarily comes from the waste of the apple juice industry. Apple peels and cores become new raw materials. This type of waste conversion is fascinating and leads consumers to try new innovative fabrics. 

Apple leather is revolutionizing the fashion industry right now. The use of fruit fiber avoids the commercial use of animals, but it also cuts down on the use of petroleum derivatives. This is particularly important because most cheap vegan fashion is made from plastics. Sustainable fashion begins with the selection of environmentally friendly raw materials. 

Finally, you can design purses, wallets, messenger bags, and anything else you like from apple peel fiber. Imagine being able to sport all your favorite styles without purchasing animal leather. Many designers are creating extraordinary goods from fruit fibers. Some designs are so good that you won't be able to tell the difference between leathers!

The Creation of Apple Leather

The process is relatively straightforward. Although there has been tons of research and years of trial and error, we can confidently say that the fruit leather industry is up. Developers quickly realized that the apple pomace left over from the juice industry was way too valuable to waste. Due to its high cellulose content, apple pomace is perfect for upcycling and recreating new fabrics. 

First, the apple material is pulverized and then mixed with vegetable dyes. Then, the raw material is combined with polymers. Lastly, textile is coated onto cotton and or a polyester canvas. The result? A leather-like material, ideal for accessories and garments. How to produce it completely plastic-free has yet to be discovered. Some polyurethane (PU) is a binding ingredient.

This use of plastic or similar products is the reason behind the progress. In search of solutions to reduce their environmental impact, companies gradually turn to recycle, less energy-intensive production processes, and organic materials. But, they must start somewhere. We're all aware of the imperfections of this process, but we're also witnesses to the massive growth of the industry. 

Reasons to Choose Apple Leather

Make sure to check out our selection of apple leather shoes. If you need more reasons to start wearing garments made with apple leather, here are a few! 

1. It's eco-friendlier 

Its creation is an incredible achievement. The transformation of fruit, vegetable, and tree material into leather is genuinely innovative. The industrial revolution brought about a lot of positive change, as well as negative. Along with technological advancements came waste. Our greed and ego lead us to believe that waste equals riches. This is far from the truth. We owe it to ourselves in finding ways to round out our usage of natural materials. 

Apple leather not only cuts down on waste material but also eliminates the use of animals and therefore saves water, land, and human effort. Therefore, taking animals out of the equation allows us to work directly with the source. Plus, it's no secret that animal agriculture is wreaking havoc on our ecosystem. This alternative use for the large quantities of waste generated within the fruit industry secures that the leftover material is recycled instead of incinerated. It also directly contributes to limiting plastic used for the final product. Leather alternatives get us one step closure to a fully sustainable and plastic-free system. 

2. It is resistant

We've tested it! We vouch for this leather's durability and soft feel (when done right, of course). Apple leather does function similarly to animal leather. It is appropriate for daily use and wear plus it maintains its structural integrity, appears elegant, and has supple touch. Some pieces are even scratch resistant! 

Most apple leather is water-repellent, lightweight, and easy to maintain. Simply clean with with a damp cloth and to keep it away from harsh chemicals and or temperatures. This material is so versatile that it has already won over many brands. Fruit leather makes up a variety of goods ranging from shoes, to bags, to wallets, belts, and even garment detailing!  

3. It is animal friendly

Apple leather is completely free from animal parts. Interestingly enough, many designers and manufacturers are now perfecting the texture of the fruit leather. This means that now you will find that many faux leathers have a grainy finish. This makes them ideal for many fashion items. Between the array of textures and

4. You're directly supporting progress and the evolution of fashion tech

We're all aware of the imperfections of this process, but we're also witnesses to the industry's massive growth. Using polymers is not ideal, we know this. However, limiting our use of them and ensuring that a high percentage of vegan leathers are made from natural derivatives instead of synthetic ones, is in fact progress. By shopping sustainable vegan fashion, by smaller brands, you are directly contributing and ensuring that manufactures and designers reinvest in vegan innovations. This is the start of a green world. This is the future of fashion. 

Why is it Important?

Habits are changing, and more and more people are awakening to the importance of conscious consumption. Fashion is undoubtedly moving towards sustainability. It is up to all of us to keep this trend going. Fashion doesn't have to be wasteful. It can be holistic, empowering, and clean. Similarly, responsible shopping invites us all to shop less and better. This is a wonderful way to advocate for the planet. 

This trend paved the way for research, production, and marketing of multiple inventions related to the world of fashion and decoration, food, and technology, whose obsession with recycling and sustainability will still give much to talk about.