what is vegan fashion?
Veganism is a lifestyle based on the fundamental principles of compassion, kindness and rights for all living beings. It extends into all aspects of life, including and beyond food.
Vegan fashion refers to clothing, footwear, and accessories that are produced without the use of animal skins, animal-derived products or materials. It is a form of fashion that promotes animal welfare and ethical practices by avoiding the use of materials such as leather, fur, wool, silk, and exotic skins. Its also does not support the use of animals or animal products in any part of the production process, including testing on animals.
It is important to know that ‘vegan fashion’ is used as a marketing term. This means that not all vegan fashion is cruelty-free and not all cruelty-free fashion is vegan.
Instead of animal-derived materials, vegan fashion utilizes alternative materials that are plant-based, synthetic, or recycled. Some commonly used vegan materials in fashion include:
PLANT-BASED OR BIOMATERIALS
These include fabrics made from organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, linen, other plant fibers or biobased materials*. These materials can be sustainably produced and are free from animal products.
SYNTHETIC MATERIALS
Synthetic fabrics like polyester, nylon, acrylic, and rayon are commonly used in vegan fashion. These materials are typically derived from petroleum, plastics and other chemical sources and are designed to mimic the look and feel of natural materials.
RECYCLED MATERIALS
Recycling technology has made it possible to create fabrics from recycled materials like plastic bottles or discarded textiles. These materials reduce waste and lessen the reliance on virgin resources.
Vegan fashion encompasses a wide range of styles, designs, and price points, catering to diverse consumer preferences. It includes everything from everyday clothing and casual wear to formal attire, shoes, handbags, wallets, and accessories.
In addition to avoiding animal materials, vegan fashion often aligns with other sustainability practices. This can include considerations such as fair trade, ethical manufacturing, organic and eco-friendly dyes, and social responsibility.
The growth of vegan fashion reflects a more conscious and compassionate consumer, with a focus on reducing harm to animals and minimizing environmental impacts.
Aiya ayiA only uses 100% biomaterials that are made from leftover plants.
*For a textile to be considered a “biomaterial” it must have a minimum of 10% of bio content. Not all biomaterials are the same or made from 100% bio content.
