What’s The Deal With Stella McCartneys Vegetarian Leather?

As soon as we got our hands on a Falabella by Stella McCartney, we were in awe. The tactile texture of both the rock chic styled chain fringing and the soft silky leather caused us to fall in love immediately. Of course, this isn’t your standard leather. Being a Stella McCartney product, this is vegetarian leather. 
In all honesty, I have always been a little sceptical of leather alternatives, how do you create it to have the same feeling of a supple high quality leather? Do you get the same familiarity of the smell of a new leather product? Of course, you don’t get the same smell, but the texture definitely feels rewarding. 
So, how is Stellas signature vegetarian leather created?

Stella McCartneys vegetarian leather called ‘alter-nappa’ is made from polyester and polyurethane, with a recycled polyester backing. Not only does it have benefits for shoppers who refrain from animal products for ethical reasons, there are huge benefits for people who have concern for the environmental impacts of leather in the fashion industry. 
On the brands website they tell us that their method of creating leather from recycled polyester creates 24 times less of an environmental impact than if compared to say Brazilian calf leather. (Stella McCartney website) 

Although the use of vegetarian leathers is not something that comes without any environmental impacts, it has certainly reduced them. As the desire for vegetarian fabrics within the fashion industry grows, the research behind these products increases, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the Falabella.