On my search for the perfect leather slouchy pull-on pant, (found: Theory Korene), I came across numerous pants and skirts in faux leather. I would usually pass on faux instantly, but then I looked at the variety of designers, and many of them high-end, who offered faux leather pieces. I expected this from Stella McCartney, but was frankly surprised to see Lanvin and Saint Laurent in this same circle. It got me thinking about why I was so opposed to faux. The answer was simply my assumption all faux looked cheap. And I think it used to, but technology has greatly improved the texture, feel and hand of faux to be a serious contender in the leather market. I’ve seen this in interior fabrications, where good faux leather is hard to distinguish from the real thing, so I surprised myself with my naivety. Aside from leather accessories and a jacket here and there, I haven’t paid that much attention to leather clothing for several years. But with the cycle of fashion, it’s suddenly front and center on my radar. Blame it on Leila Yavari who has taken wearing leather in classic fresh ways to a new level. So, now that I’m considering faux leather for clothing, I wonder why I still object to faux leather handbags and shoes. That’s a line I don’t think I can cross.
From left: Saint Laurent; Max Mara Studio; By Malene Birger; Stella McCartney; Lanvin; Isabel Marant Etoile; Isabel Marant Etoile
Kathy
I’m sort of faux adverse – to everything, faux leather, faux fur, faux finishes. Feels unnatural.
Marion Foerster
I´m sort of real fur adverse. In a world where I have central heating, car heating, shops and malls that are heated, etc. etc. I do think wearing furs (for example) is superfluous and therefore utterly unnatural. Apart from the fact that wearing furs, leathers, etc. one has to commit oneself – if these products have not been sourced “naturally” – to supporting utterly unnatural breeding and livestock farming, gruesome slaughtering, etc. (Ever seen Chinese fur farmers, the lovely cuddly fur brims on many designer jackets are sourced there btw) It´s OK by me if someone says “Yes, I wear fur because I like it!” But please: Don´t deny where it comes from, that you wear an ACCESSOIRE for which a living being has given up it´s life, and that in often very, very sad conditions.
paula c.
I agree with kathy…and as a leather wearing girl – I just cannot fathom wearing any form of artificial leather. However, I do agree that the latest batch of faux leathers are excellent albeit still commanding higher prices especially from the high end designers which begs the question why not save and get the real thing:)