Real Leather or Vegan Leather?

There's no clear winner here.

Dear Subscriber,

Since the launch of Julhs in 2020, we’ve occasionally received concerns about our use of real leather, particularly regarding animal welfare. Some have suggested switching to vegan leather, which is often seen as more environmentally friendly. We’d like to share our perspective on the matter.

Real Leather

It’s a common misconception that animals are killed for their skins in the leather industry. In reality, leather is a by-product of the meat industry, sourced from animals like cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. These animals are raised primarily for food, and their skins, which would otherwise be discarded, are used to create leather goods. No animals are killed exclusively for their hides. If the goal is to prevent animal deaths, adopting a vegetarian lifestyle would have a far greater impact than avoiding leather products.

At Julhs, we choose leather for its durability and timeless appeal. Well-made leather products can last for decades, which aligns with our commitment to creating long-lasting, classic pieces. However, we firmly oppose the use of exotic animal skins, such as those from snakes, alligators, or ostriches. These practices raise ethical concerns that we cannot support. Likewise, should we expand into clothing, we would not use real fur.

Vegan Leather

While vegan leather is often promoted as a cruelty-free alternative, it’s important to recognize that it comes with its own environmental challenges. Most vegan leathers are made from plastic-based materials, which are not biodegradable and contribute to pollution and microplastic contamination. Additionally, vegan leather doesn’t have the same longevity as real leather, meaning it needs to be replaced more frequently.

No Simple Solution

Neither real leather nor vegan leather can claim to be the perfect choice for sustainability. Real leather requires significant energy and chemicals to produce, especially in the tanning process, while vegan leather contributes to plastic waste. Both options have environmental impacts, particularly in the dyeing processes, which involve harmful chemicals that often end up in our water systems. No manufacturing facility in the world can yet fully commit to purifying wastewater completely.

At the end of the day, this isn’t just a debate between real and vegan leather—both have their drawbacks. As consumers, one of the most impactful choices we can make is to buy less, and when we do buy, to choose high-quality, long-lasting products.

Thank you for supporting Julhs and for joining us in this important conversation.

Best,

Team Julhs