Article: Vegan Clothing: Fashion Without Animal-Derived Materials
Vegan Clothing: Fashion Without Animal-Derived Materials
More and more people are choosing a vegan lifestyle – and not just when it comes to food. Vegan clothing is on trend. In this blog post you will find out what exactly vegan clothing is, what to look out for and which vegan items you can find at ORGANICATION.
What actually is vegan clothing?
Vegan clothing does without animal products entirely. That means materials such as leather, wool, silk and down are off the table. Instead, plant fibres such as organic cotton, cellulose fibres such as TENCEL™ or recycled synthetic fibres are used.
Why vegan clothing?
- Animal welfare: Obtaining animal-derived materials can involve animal suffering. Choosing vegan clothing means consciously avoiding these materials.
- Choice of material: Plant fibres such as organic cotton are grown without synthetic pesticides or artificial fertilisers.
- Comfort: Many plant-based fabrics are breathable and feel soft and comfortable on the skin.
Vegan fashion at ORGANICATION
Part of our collection is made from purely plant-based or recycled materials. Whether an item is vegan is stated on its product page. Our garments are made in Izmir, Turkey, by Akcakaya Textile.
Our favourite vegan materials:
- Organic cotton: Pleasantly soft and grown without synthetic pesticides.
- TENCEL™: A fibre made from wood that is particularly soft and breathable and absorbs moisture well.
- Linen: Robust, durable and pleasantly cool in summer.
- Recycled polyester (REPREVE®): Made from recycled PET bottles.
Transparency
Depending on the product, our items are certified to GOTS, OCS, GRS, RCS or RWS – the details are shown on each product page. Find out more on our Certificates page.
The history of World Vegan Day
World Vegan Day was launched in 1994 by The Vegan Society to mark its 50th anniversary. The founder of The Vegan Society, Donald Watson, was the first to coin the term “vegan” in 1944. At the time the term was largely unknown, but over the years it gained in importance and became widespread. World Vegan Day has brought the vegan movement to a wider audience.
World Vegan Day – why is it celebrated and what does it mean?
World Vegan Day is celebrated every year on 1 November and aims to raise awareness of the vegan lifestyle. It was launched in 1994 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of The Vegan Society in the UK. The day is aimed not only at vegans but at everyone interested in animal rights and a conscious lifestyle.
The significance of World Vegan Day
World Vegan Day highlights that, for many people, veganism is more than a diet – it is an attitude that also encompasses animal rights and the use of resources. The day offers an opportunity to engage with the vegan lifestyle and learn more about it.
World Vegan Day events
World Vegan Day is celebrated around the world with a variety of events, including vegan festivals, film screenings, information events, tastings and seminars. Vegan recipes are shared and animal welfare organisations provide information about their work. Events like these allow anyone interested to get to know the vegan lifestyle and try it out.
World Vegan Day in Germany
The vegan movement is growing in Germany too, and World Vegan Day is celebrated with a range of events. Organisations such as the Vegane Gesellschaft Deutschland do educational work on veganism. Many cities host vegan festivals, talks and cookery classes.
Ethical aspects of veganism
For people who campaign for animal rights, veganism carries great ethical value. Vegans reject the use of animals for food, clothing, entertainment or experiments. This philosophy holds that animals are not resources that exist solely for humans. Many people are also concerned with the impact of livestock farming on land and water use.
Veganism and nutrition
A well-planned vegan diet rich in fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and pulses provides plenty of fibre, vitamins and minerals. As certain nutrients such as vitamin B12 are found mainly in animal products, vegans should supplement them specifically. If you have questions about nutrition, seek expert advice.
Veganism and fashion: what the vegan lifestyle means for the textile industry
For many, veganism is not just a diet but a way of life that aims to avoid animal products in every area – including clothing. Vegan fashion describes textile production in which animal-derived materials such as leather, wool, silk and fur are replaced by plant-based, recycled or synthetic alternatives. As veganism has become more popular, vegan fashion has also grown in importance.
What are vegan textiles?
Vegan textiles contain no animal-derived materials. Instead of leather, fur, wool, silk or feathers, plant-based, recycled or synthetic materials are used. Examples of vegan alternatives include:
- Vegan leather: Instead of animal hide, plant-based materials such as mushrooms, pineapple leaves (Piñatex), cactus (Desserto) or synthetic materials such as polyurethane are used.
- Alternatives to silk: Instead of silk, fabrics made from cellulose fibres or other plant fibres with a similar texture are used.
- Alternatives to wool: Instead of wool, materials such as organic cotton, recycled polyester or acrylic fibres are used.
Vegan fashion and the environment
With vegan fashion, too, it is worth taking a close look at the material. Leather production, for example, often involves tanning chemicals, and livestock farming requires land and water. Whether a vegan alternative performs better overall, however, depends very much on the specific material and how it is made.
- Origin of the material: Plant fibres from certified organic farming are grown without synthetic pesticides.
- Recycling: Recycled fibres such as REPREVE® make use of existing raw materials such as PET bottles.
- Durability: Whatever the material, the longer a garment is worn, the better.
Vegan items at ORGANICATION
At ORGANICATION you will find selected vegan items made from materials such as organic cotton, TENCEL™, linen or recycled polyester. Whether an item is vegan and how it is certified is shown on its product page. Alongside vegan products, we also offer items made from RWS-certified wool.
Growing demand for vegan fashion
As vegan fashion becomes more popular, demand for vegan textile products is growing too. Younger generations in particular, who value ethical principles, are very interested in vegan fashion. Social media further fuels this interest.
Criticisms of vegan fashion
Although many people find vegan fashion convincing from an ethical point of view, there are also criticisms. Synthetic alternatives to leather and wool are often based on fossil raw materials and can release microfibres when washed. That is why more and more vegan fashion brands are turning to plant-based or recycled materials.
Vegan fashion in Germany
The range of vegan fashion in Germany is also growing steadily. Many brands offer vegan alternatives, and organisations such as the Vegane Gesellschaft Deutschland raise awareness of the topic.
For many people, vegan fashion is an expression of respect for animals and a way of making conscious decisions when buying clothes. World Vegan Day is a good occasion every year to engage with these topics.
Want to find out more about vegan fashion and ORGANICATION?
Take a look at our collection and discover our favourite pieces made from vegan materials! If you have any questions, we are happy to help.
