11 December 2024

Is Durability Leather's Downfall?

Why would one of leather’s greatest assets actually be one of its largest liabilities?


It shouldn’t be! In these times of great concern for the environment, the long-lasting durability that leather provides should be relished by all as it keeps us from producing more “stuff” that eventually the environment has to absorb.


If you could choose between using one real leather jacket that lasts for 50 years, or needing to use 5 fake leather jackets to cover that same time period, which would you choose? I think that’s a simple answer – one real leather jacket. That’s about 5 times less stress on the environment from a volume standpoint alone, not to mention the pollution and resources involved in needlessly producing more “stuff.”


But flip this question to the retailer point of view and you’ll find the greedy truth. Would you rather sell 1 item to someone that lasts 50 years? Or would you rather sell them 5 items over the same period of time? Now you get it!


If we all were truly as concerned over the environment as we say – then demanding a more “durable” good like leather should be a mantra being shouted from every mountain top.


The fact that we throw away millions of unused hides each year and replace their potential use with new “stuff” should have Greta Thunberg crying into a microphone somewhere. But alas, corporate and retailer greed drives only the activism and concern that makes a profit.


Stay proud of real leather’s durability – it is truly a miracle of nature that eventually, as long as we all keep yelling, people are going to recognize!

About APLF

We bring leather, material and fashion businesses together: an opportunity to meet and greet face to face. We bring them from all parts of the world so that they can find fresh partners, discover new customers or suppliers and keep ahead of industry developments.

 

We organise a number of trade exhibitions which focus on fashion and lifestyle: sectors that are constantly in flux, so visitors and exhibitors alike need to be constantly aware both of the changes around them and those forecast for coming seasons.

 

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