---
title: "Changing Fashions: Why Vegan Clothing is Good Business"
description: We live in an age of information, in which innovation and opportunity take centre stage. So, for many, the idea […]
author: Alexis Boddy (Writer)
date: 2019-11-12T11:50:13.000Z
updated: 2026-02-25T15:40:34.660Z
canonical: https://www.sovereignmagazine.com/article/changing-fashions-why-vegan-clothing-is-good-business
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/colorful-clothes-hang-on-shelf-in-a-market-clothes-store-colorful-clothing-shelf-shop-color-hanger_t20_1bmGr1.jpg
categories: Green Tech
content_type: Analysis
region: United Kingdom
publication: Sovereign Magazine
---

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 ](https://www.vegansociety.com/)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](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimgorzelany/2019/09/02/the-model-3-is-finally-going-completely-vegan/#20e6bdfed656), 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.

Indeed, the vegan leather market is predicted to skyrocket in the next few years, with a recent report from business consultancy, [Grand View Research](https://www.grandviewresearch.com/), predicting that the industry will be worth [$85 billion by 2025](https://www.livekindly.co/vegan-leather-market-set-worth-85-billion-2025/). Leather has long-been a contentious product, and not just for vegans and vegetarians. The production methods used to tan leather release harmful pollutants into the air and have a damaging effect on the environment. All of this has meant that the [leather industry has been hit hard](https://www.livekindly.co/demand-for-cruelty-free-sustainable-materials-pushes-leather-industry-to-all-time-low/), as consumers seek out cruelty-free, [more sustainable options](https://www.beeco.green/blog/clothing-fabrics-sustainability/).

And one of the ways that consumers are looking for
alternatives is through the clothes they wear. Vegan leather is probably the
best known of these but it extends far beyond this. The Vegan Society have
cited a recent survey in the UK, that showed an increase of 39% in searches for
‘vegan fashion’ and ‘vegan clothes’ between 2017-18. With alternatives to fur,
silk and wool being produced, there is more choice than ever for those looking
for vegan clothing options. Farmers, cloth suppliers and clothing brands are
looking for different ways to appeal to this growing market. A bespoke tailors
in the UK, King & Allen, have seen a 200% increase in enquiries for vegan
suits (made from bamboo, cotton, linen and other wool alternatives),
year-on-year since 2015. ‘People are looking for ways to stay true to their
beliefs and express their identities through their clothing,’ says CEO, Jake
Allen, ‘businesses should be looking for ways to innovate and create new,
exciting ways for their customers to do so.’

Stella McCartney is another brand that is synonymous with
animal welfare. The designer has been a long-standing proponent of ethical
standards in fashion and has said that, at times [she has been ‘ridiculed’](https://www.livekindly.co/vegan-designer-stella-mccartney-leather-free-fashion/) for her strongly-held
beliefs and cruelty-free practices. But she has been at the vanguard of this
new wave in fashion and the brand are always seeking out new ways to change the
fashion landscape for the better. She is a [strong believer in praising ](https://www.livekindly.co/vegan-designer-stella-mccartney-leather-free-fashion/)other brands that
are making changes to the way they make and produce clothing. For her, and for
many, it’s about constant, forward momentum in a changing world.

And perhaps we should all take a leaf (no pun intended) out
of Stella McCartney’s book. We should seek to move with the times, to, in this
age of information, find new ways to innovate and improve, to appeal to new
generations and, hopefully, play our part in creating a better future.