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With an increased emphasis on sustainability in fashion, many trends have come under the spotlight across the globe in the last few years. One of them is the increasing popularity of vegan fashion. A growing number of individuals are adopting veganism as a lifestyle, and since 2015, more fashion companies have turned their focus to the quickly rising vegan fashion market.
The vegan lifestyle, which is more than just a diet, involves avoiding all products derived from animals, has been growing in popularity in recent years and is having a significant impact on the future of sustainable fashion. The appeal of a culture centered on plant-based products has steadily increased, from vegan diets to vegan accessories to vegan clothing. The question now is, what does this imply for the future of fashion?
What is Vegan Lifestyle?
The term ‘veganism’ is actually much more than a diet. A growing movement of vegans focuses on the goal of doing no harm to animals or other living beings as far as is practical. Toward this end, living a vegan lifestyle not only includes abstaining from consuming animal products, but also requires attention to clothes, makeup, and many other facets of life.
Many individuals who identify as vegans are promoting the vegan narrative in such a potent and persistent manner that it is now mirrored in the most recent trends of the global fashion industry. It comes as no surprise, then, that committed vegans created the “Veganuary” movement in an effort to raise the status of veganism around the world.
The vegan narrative is being pushed by many people who identify as vegans in such a powerful and persistent way that it is reflected in the current trends of the global fashion industry. It’s no surprise then that passionate vegans coined the campaign ‘Veganuary‘ in a bid to improve awareness of veganism across the globe.
Many people who follow the vegan lifestyle seek to promote cruelty-free products. As a result, there has been a surge in demand for vegan-friendly clothing and accessories made from sustainable and ethical materials, such as organic cotton, hemp, bamboo, and recycled polyester.
How the Vegan Lifestyle is Impacting the Fashion Industry
The vegan trend is not new in the world of fashion. In fact, many common items like our everyday jeans and organic cotton t-shirts are vegan because they don’t include any animal products. However, over time, the adoption of terms like “vegan” and “cruelty-free” by manufacturers has grown in popularity. In truth, the fashion industry has begun to change direction. While most major brands are now adding vegan fashion to their product ranges, other new brands are identifying as ‘vegan-only’ and proving to the people that you don’t have to hurt animals to be fashionable – and hoping to change their industry in the process. This increase is partially attributable to consumers who are eager to apply vegan values to all aspects of their lives, beyond the plant-based foods and animal-free cosmetics they may already be buying.
They say vegan is the new green and it’s hard to disagree. This is because choosing vegan fashion makes sense for animal welfare and environmental reasons, particularly in the case of leather. An Oxford University study from 2019 found that adopting a plant-based diet can have a good effect on both our health and the environment.
Fashion brands are taking notice of this and are starting to offer more options for consumers who are looking for more eco-friendly and socially sustainable fashion. For example, some brands are using innovative materials such as Piñatex, a plant-based leather alternative made from pineapple fibers, to create sustainable and cruelty-free products.
Another trend in sustainable fashion is the use of circular and closed-loop production methods, which aim to minimize waste and promote the use of sustainable materials. Brands are also taking steps to ensure their supply chains are ethical and transparent, giving consumers the ability to make informed choices about the products they buy.
Fashion brands that are big on the vegan lifestyle
There are quite a number of vegan fashion brands that are promoting this lifestyle choice. By choosing products from these and other brands, consumers can help to support a more ethical and sustainable fashion industry. Here are just a few:
This luxury fashion brand is well known for its commitment to ethical and sustainable fashion. All of the Stella McCartney fashion items are made from sustainable and cruelty-free materials, including innovative vegan leather alternatives such as Piñatex.
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Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat is a Canadian brand that creates stylish handbags, wallets, and other accessories using recycled materials. All of their products are vegan and they have a strong commitment to sustainability.
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Patagonia
This outdoor clothing brand has a strong reputation for sustainability and ethical production practices. Patagonia offers a range of clothing made from organic cotton and other sustainable materials, and they are committed to using animal-free products.
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Will’s Vegan Shoes
As the name suggests, Will’s Vegan Shoes specializes in creating stylish and durable vegan shoes. All of their products are made from high-quality, eco-friendly materials, including recycled and organic materials.
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Toms
This popular shoe brand has a range of vegan options, made from sustainable materials such as recycled plastic water bottles and hemp.
In a nutshell, the vegan lifestyle and the desire for sustainable fashion are two trends shaping the future of the fashion industry. By promoting the use of sustainable and ethical materials, and by encouraging circular and closed-loop production methods, the fashion industry can help to minimize its impact on the environment and promote a more sustainable future.
