Change is a part of the process

This blog is a place for me to express my personal experiences and opinions concerning animal ethics in fashion, skincare, makeup, etc., and in doing so sometimes you all will see my thoughts evolve on certain topics. This type of authenticity is important to me when engaging with my audience as it shows that it is completely okay for thoughts to shift as long as the intent of providing a kinder world for us and those we share it with remains constant.

That being said, it has been almost 2 months since my last post, and I have been deep diving into my thoughts about secondhand leather. My opinions on which have been slightly altered. While I do still think that buying leather goods and accessories secondhand is a more compassionate option than, obviously, buying brand-new leather, I no longer fully support that path especially when the accessories are being primarily being bought for the logo. For example, a vintage Gucci belt or Louis Vuitton handbag would, in my personal opinion, be the opposite of encouraging an ethical shift in the fashion world.

Let me explain.

Firstly, such leather goods are rarely found at real thrift store low prices, and would most likely be around the same price point as buying a brand new vegan leather accessory. This removes the point of view that one may not be able to afford a luxury vegan leather alternative, and would lead one to believe that the purchase is solely due to the brand-name already having ‘clout’ in fashion.

Second, this is how these brands continue to dominate the fashion industry year after year without any real ground-breaking innovations. They rely on the same materials: animal leather, fur, feathers, exotic skins, etc., instead of being pushed to change with the times and challenged to create the same globally loved designed while actually allowing the fashion world to evolve.

Thirdly, I have found through my own experience even non-luxury brand leather goods are not necessary to continue expressing yourself through your style. In fact, boycotting these animal-derived materials entirely can allow for an even deeper level of expression within your wardrobe. Instead of following the trends, try and use your style to stand for something that you believe in which, in turn, makes your own style all the more unique. If you really want to be ahead of the curve in the fashion industry, invest in pieces that are doing the same especially as more ethical and sustainable alternatives to common animal-derived materials such as wool, down, leather, and fur are being introduced to the market every week!