Veganuary: best vegan leather brands 2021

By Poppy Cory-Wright on 14/1/2021

Ignorance is out of fashion, and as we collectively become more 'woke' as a society, designers and brands are paying attention. Vegan leather – despite some backlash for its synthetic status – is becoming the socially conscious alternative to animal leather and increasingly used by some of our favourite designers, as well as dedicated alternative brands.
From buttery-soft tote bags to statement jackets, we round up the best brands for vegan leather ready-to-wear and accessories shoppable in the UK.

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Von Holzhausen

Best for: hi-tech material

Vicki Von Holzhausen started her career in the automotive business, working for Audi and Mercedes-Benz. She decided to combine her technical expertise with an ethical approach to consumerism in order to offer products that add value to the world – paving the way for her eponymous brand.

It launched in 2015, in Malibu, with a collection of accessories that focused on design, sustainability, and quality of life.

Buy Von Holzhausen here

V BY TOWNSLEY

Best for: butter-soft and oversized

V BY TOWNSLEY is the brainchild of sisters-in-law Jo and Georgie Townsley who were united by a mutual passion for style and a belief in veganism, fair trade and sustainability.

From the satisfyingly oversized Eden tote bag that comes in black, peppermint blue and deep, sultry tan, to the panelled Isabella clutch that will see you from day to night, the styles are to die for and handcrafted in Italy from premium-quality Japanese vegan leather.

Buy V By Townsley here

Nanushka

Best for: influencer-approved style

Both sophisticated and attitude-filled at once, Budapest-based brand Nanushka's signature, butter-soft vegan leather is unrivalled. From puffer jackets and cool-girl jumpsuits to trousers, tops and beyond, the vegan-leather pieces have become influencer-favourites with good reason, thanks to lustrous fabrics of the highest quality and with the finest cut.

Buy Nanushka here

Stella McCartney

Best-for: cool-girl style

Stella McCartney is a pioneering force when it comes to luxury fashion brands' use of vegetarian leather. The Stella McCartney leather alternative does not just look painfully good (and almost impossible to distinguish from the real thing), but is also better for the environment. Using recycled polyester instead of Brazilian calf leather creates 24 times less of an environmental impact.

Buy Stella McCartney here

Moshi

Best for: the office

Moshi was founded in 2005, and has fast become the answer to sustainable office living. Its designs are simple and sophisticated – creating accessories and electronics for those who refuse to sacrifice style for functionality.

Buy Moshi here

Veja

Best for: blending in

'Look beyond the sneakers, look how they are made,, says ultra-cool, ultra-ethical shoe brand Veja. Made with classic minimalist sneaker design in mind and fitting in seamlessly amongst the Guccis and Nikes of the world at Dover Street Market, you can also find them at Selfridges, Matches and Net-A-Porter.

Buy Veja here

Nisse

Best for: streetwear flair

Canadian womenswear brand Nisse is upping the ante with a fresh new focus on vegan leather garments, from cherry-red trousers to vanilla-coloured dresses and trenchcoats.

Buy Nisse here

Cult Gaia

Best for: the beach

Acrylic isn’t just for your nails: Cult Gaia makes it into showstopping bags. This LA-based brand by designer Jasmin Larian makes eye-catching bags woven from plastic or bamboo. Its signature Ark Bag was the it-item of last summer on Instagram and the brand has been touted as the next Reformation – not a claim anyone makes lightly.

Buy Cult Gaia here

Bego Vegan Label

Best for pineapple leather

From tiny acorns... The vegan, recycled, durable, responsible and ethical range from BEGO may yet be small, but the pineapple-leather designs are switched on enough and the brand is full of heart to ensure it will one day surely grow mighty.

Buy Bego Vegan Label here