A study on the production and use of vegan leather in the fashion industry as a sustainable approach

This study examines in detail the current examples of vegan leather materials used in today's fashion industry. With the increasing awareness of sustainability, many sectors have sought alternatives for more sustainable production processes. The fashion industry is among these sectors. The leather industry, which has various applications such as clothing, bags, wallets, belts, and shoes, has been influenced by the growing interest in sustainable alternatives. The rise of vegan lifestyles, growing ethical awareness, and the environmental problems associated with conventional leather production, combined with the fact that synthetic leathers are not entirely sustainable, have led the leather industry to seek new sustainable alternatives. In this context, vegan leather alternatives derived from various natural sources such as corn, pineapple, cactus, apple, and rubber have become increasingly significant among sustainable solutions. This research explores current vegan leather alternatives to traditional leather, their areas of use, and contemporary brands and designers incorporating vegan leather into their designs. The study includes an experimental design section. In this context, vegan leather-like materials were produced using pineapple leaf fibers, peanut shells, and used capsule coffee grounds. As a result, a capsule accessory collection was created using both ready-to-use rubber-based vegan leather and vegan leather materials derived from coffee grounds. In the 1st Group Capsule Collection, Model 1 Chain- Detail Shoulder Bag and Model 2 Tassel-Detail Clutch Bag were designed and produced using ready-to-use rubber-based vegan leather. In the 2nd Group Capsule Collection, Model 3 Tassel-Detail Cardholder & Keychain and Model 4 Mini Clutch Bag were designed and produced using coffee-based vegan leather made in a home environment. In conclusion, this study evaluates vegan leather and its areas of application in the fashion industry as a sustainable approach. Through the experimental implementation, the potential applications of current vegan leather types have been examined, and a unique, contribution-oriented design process has been presented through the use of home-produced vegan leather materials.