Over 95 per cent of British shoppers would welcome more vegan-verified fashion with almost half (48 per cent) stating they want more vegan-verified items across all fashion categories, according to a recent survey. Over 35 per cent want to see more vegan options for items like jackets and boots and 32 per cent would like more vegan-friendly leather bags and backpacks.
Thirty-two percent of respondents said they’d like to see the use of pleather extended to general footwear such as boots, heels and sandals with 28 per cent stating they would be interested in vegan trainers that use vegan leather, as per The Rise of Vegan Fashion report by The Vegan Society.
The survey conducted as part of the report, aimed at those who buy new clothing as opposed to second-hand items, showed that customers’ attitude towards the use of animals in the fashion industry is changing for the better. It found that 61 per cent believe the use of fur is cruel, while 57 per cent feel using leather from ‘exotic’ animals is too. Thirty-seven per cent think the use of cow leather is cruel, with more than half (54 per cent) slamming the use of calf leather.
Encouragingly, 35 per cent want more vegan leather options with almost three-quarters (74 per cent) stating they would be willing to pay more for plant-based leather compared to animal leather. Plant-based leathers created from several types of plant materials, including pineapples, mushrooms, apples, cacti and succulents, present an ethical, durable and sustainable alternative to animal-based leathers.
Fifty-five per cent of respondents said they were interested in purchasing, or already owned something made from plant-based leather with 42 per cent stating they think it is sustainable, 34 per cent believing it is ethical and 31 per cent saying it is modern, the report said.
As of last month, the Vegan Society’s vegan-certification scheme the Vegan Trademark had registered around 4,500 fashion products – almost double the number registered at the start of 2021. This includes accessories, bags, footwear, clothing and sportswear from various high street and luxury brands such as New Look, Forever New, Off Duty Ldn and George at Asda.
The research was based on a survey titled, ‘Your view’, conducted on Attest between 12 – 14 May 2021. Audience was 1,000 people from the UK who said they purchased new clothing.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD)
Over 95 per cent of British shoppers would welcome more vegan-verified fashion with almost half (48 per cent) stating they want more vegan-verified items across all fashion categories, according to a recent survey. Over 35 per cent want to see more vegan options for items like jackets and boots and 32 per cent would like more vegan-friendly leather bags.