Shop the Hottest Leather-Free Looks Created by Latine-Owned Brands
Latine-owned brands are at the forefront of the vegan leather industry, and many of them use innovative technology to create animal- and planet-friendly materials and goods. You can find everything from clothing and accessories to car interiors made without using the flesh of any animal. Hundreds of millions of cows are killed in the leather industry each year and don’t live in a way that’s even remotely natural. By choosing products made with vegan leather, you’ll have a significant beneficial impact on animals’ lives and on the planet.
PETA Latino has chosen some Latine brands that are leading the way with vegan leather materials and products:
Latine-Owned Brands Making Vegan Leather
Desserto
Desserto is a “PETA-Approved Vegan” leather made from prickly pear cactus, a plant that grows throughout Mexico. ADRIANO DI MARTI is the company behind the sustainable leather, and its work even earned it PETA’s Compassionate Business Award. Desserto is used by many brands, including luxury handbag brand Fossil and major fashion retailer H&M.
Fiquetex
Father-and-son team Alex and Gabriel Moreno created Fiquetex, a “PETA-Approved Vegan” material made from the fibers of the fique plant, which grows in abundance in Colombia. The company makes a nonwoven fabric and a durable vegan leather with the fibers.
Piñatex
Dr. Carmen Hijosa founded Ananas Anam, the company that created the pineapple-based leather called Piñatex. The unique textile is made from the fiber of pineapple leaves, which are a byproduct of the agricultural industry, so the material is sustainable and supports local farmers. Piñatex is used by many brands for shoes, purses, and even upholstery.
Latine-Owned Brands Selling Vegan Leather Products
Boobamara Vegan Shoes
Buenos Aires–based shoe brand Boobamara offers fair trade, hand-crafted, and leather-free shoes that are “PETA-Approved Vegan.”
Vrote
Argentinian brand Vrote offers stylish bags, shoes, wallets, and belts made with vegan leather.
NUMERO 52
NUMERO 52 began as a brand that used the skins of cows for its leather products, but it turned to plant-fiber leathers after realizing just how horrible the leather industry is for animals and the environment. Now its clothing, footwear, and accessories are made with vegan materials such as Desserto, Piñatex, and ECONYL’s nylon made from fishing nets.
Jo Casal
Looking for new vegan shoes? Argentinian store Jo Casal has something for every look, all handmade, without harming cows, snakes, alligators, or any other animal.
La Sebastiana
Chilean shoe store La Sebastiana has an “eco vegan” collection made with apple leather.
Animalista
For animal-friendly shoes, bags, and other accessories, Animalista has you covered.
Hesed
El Salvadoran shoe brand Hesed makes vegan leather shoes inspired by the goth, grunge, and punk styles, including creepers, combat boots, and platform heels.
M. Valentina
Cancún’s M. Valentina is a boutique shoe store selling vegan leather pumps, sneakers, boots, flats, and more.
Corazón Vegano
Corazón Vegano’s comfy, customizable loafers come in many different designs and fabrics, all made without animal-derived materials.
LAHAY
Haydé Santillán founded LAHAY while studying fashion in Spain, where she realized that she wanted to apply handiwork from her home country of Mexico to her styles. LAHAY’s boots are made by Mexican artisans with Piñatex.
Loly in the Sky
Lorena and Eduardo Vázquez founded Loly in the Sky in 2013, a shoe brand based in León that focuses on creating comfortable, fashionable footwear made with vegan-friendly materials from Mexico.
Pulaski Shoes
Mexican brand Pulaski makes footwear with the intention of limiting its environmental impact as much as possible. Because of that, it uses vegan materials and plants a tree with every purchase.
Carmona Collection
Carmona Collection is a women-founded brand that makes shoes with Desserto’s cactus leather.
Insecta
Insecta’s vegan backpacks and accessories are inspired by the insects of the Amazon, and they’re completely animal-free. The Peruvian brand uses Piñatex and a natural latex material from shiringa trees.
Marí Madá
This Uruguayan shoe brand has a collection of vegan footwear, including sandals, boots, and mules crafted from various vegan materials, including Piñatex, Desserto, and a material made with recycled tires.
