VEGAN LEATHER DOESN'T EXIST! What Are the True Alternatives?
- Soho Francotte
- May 25
- 2 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Are you looking for a "vegan leather bag"? This term, although widespread, is a lexical contradiction. Leather, by definition, comes from tanned animal hide. A vegan material excludes all animal components.
So, what do we call these materials that replace leather without animal exploitation? At Lubay, we call them by their real names: Leap®, Grape Skin®, cork. Here is why vocabulary precision matters, and what the true alternatives are.
Why is the expression "vegan leather" a nonsense?
At Lubay, we are committed to using premium materials, without any animal-derived components, without compromising on aesthetics or ethics. But beyond the materials themselves, it is essential to be precise in the terminology used.
A lexical contradiction
According to the Larousse dictionary: Leather: "Animal hide, particularly bovine, intended for tanning; tanned and curried hide, suitable for industrial uses." Veganism: "A lifestyle combining an exclusive plant-based diet (vegan diet) and the refusal to consume any product derived from animals or their exploitation." The expression "vegan leather" is therefore, lexically speaking, a contradiction. That's why at Lubay, you won't find "vegan leather bags" because we prefer to use precise terms to describe our raw materials.
Premium alternatives to leather
Our materials are rigorously selected for their quality, aesthetics, and innovation. We call them by their names, respecting the identity and know-how of the European manufacturers who design them:
Grape Skin® – Made from residues of the Italian wine industry, it offers a refined alternative with an elegant texture.
Leap® – An innovative new-generation material, made from apple waste from European juice and cider producers.
Piñatex® – Made from pineapple leaf fibers, it stands out for its robustness and unique texture.
Cork – Lightweight, durable, and naturally waterproof, it has been a preferred option in leather goods for many years.
At Lubay, we love words and their accuracy. We attach paramount importance to the precision of language, which is why you will not find the term 'vegan leather bag' in our collections. We prefer to tell you about the innovative materials we use, which are every bit as good as animal leather, by calling them by their proper names. This demand for precise vocabulary is our way of offering you clear and accurate information. Luxury and commitment can go hand in hand, and that also includes the words we use.
