Changing Fashions: Why Vegan Clothing is Good Business

We live in an age of information, in which innovation and opportunity take centre stage. So, for many, the idea of living in ignorance is no longer an option. This extends into practically every area of our lives, from casting a sceptical eye over the news we read, to considering our own impact on the environment we live in. The latter is one of, if not the, critical issue of our day and means that consumers are thinking more and more about the food they eat, the products they use and the clothes they wear. And if consumers are thinking about it, then businesses should be too…

Veganism is one of the ways in which people choose to make a stand for their beliefs in a world where we often don’t think about where our food comes from. Even a few years ago, to be a vegan was to be at the fringes, with vegan options in restaurants and supermarkets few and far between. But the last few years have brought about a huge change and veganism is not only an ethical lifestyle choice but also a potential game-changer for business. The Vegan Society in the UK have stated that if ‘…the world went vegan, it could save 8 million human lives by 2050, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by two thirds and lead to healthcare-related savings and avoided climate damages of $1.5 trillion.’

These are staggering numbers and they don’t stop there, with The Vegan Society reporting a massive 65% increase in the number of new vegan product registrations under the Vegan Trademark, with over 75% of these coming from countries outside of the UK, such as Germany, Italy and Spain. Germany is currently the world-leader in terms of vegan product development, with Australia the most popular country for veganism in 2018.

While veganism is most often associated with a specific diet and vegan food is becoming more and more popular, with supermarkets, restaurants and cafes all offering vegan options, it is not the only way for vegans to actively embrace their lifestyles. Animal products are used in a huge range of day-to-day items that most of us are unaware of and many consumers are now seeking out alternatives. Businesses are waking up to this need in a variety of ways. Tesla recently announced that its Model 3 interior would be 100% leather-free, a move that some considered to be off-brand for a luxury car supplier and yet, appealed to Tesla’s demographic perfectly. And they aren’t the only ones, with Ferrari offering faux-leather alternatives and have done so for the last few years.