The collection is in collaboration with vegan sneaker brand Løci. It’s called “Nicki Minaj X Løci,” and consists of 11 styles of unisex shoes made from vegan leather. Many of the trainers are a shade of pink reminiscent of Barbie, a film that Minaj created music for.

Read more: ‘Sheer Nonsense’: Stella McCartney On Why Leather Is Not A Byproduct

According to Løci, the new line “blends street-cool aesthetics with high-fashion chic.” Writing on Instagram at the end of March, Minaj said the release was an “absolute dream come true.”

“I can’t WAIT for you guys to see my 1st collection,” she wrote. “Thank you to my team for helping me make this dream come to fruition. This isn’t a sponsorship. I’m an owner & partner.”

The collection is available to shop online now. Prices range from $185 to $200.

The rise of Løci

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Løci was founded in London on 2019, and has since become a hugely popular sneaker brand, with its designs being seen on celebrities including Mila Kunis, Jessica Alba, and Ben Affleck. 

Read more: Cillian Murphy Discusses His Decision To Go Plant-Based

The brand doesn’t use any animal leather, instead opting for materials like recycled bottles, recycled nylon and brass, as well as cork, bamboo, and a bio leather alternative. It’s thought that each pair of sneakers repurposes the equivalent of 20 plastic bottles. Løci’s shoes are made in Portugal, a country known for its craftsmanship and sustainability credentials. 

According to Løci, the brand has saved one million plastic bottles from being discarded. It also donates 10 percent of online profits to marine organizations like Sea Shepherd and SEE Turtles. 

Read more: Joaquin Phoenix Wore A Plant-Based Hat For ‘Napoleon’

In 2022, it was announced that Leonardo DiCaprio had invested in the brand. The actor said at the time that he was “proud” to invest in a company “dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact, and centered around creating cruelty-free, ethical footwear.”

The post Nicki Minaj Launches Range Of Barbie Pink Vegan Sneakers appeared first on Plant Based News.

Some inks can contain bone char – carbon made by charring animal bones – or glycerin (animal fat) as a stabilizer. The stencil papers used to transfer designs onto the skin might contain lanolin, a grease derived from sheep’s wool. Lanolin can also be found in some tattoo aftercare products, as can beeswax. If the gloves artists use are latex, they may contain casein, a protein derived from cow’s milk.

But it’s possible to have a completely vegan tattooing experience. The easiest way to do that is to go to a vegan tattoo studio. Here is our guide to vegan tattoo studios around the UK, so you can be sure that your artist and all the inks and equipment align with your values.

Vegan tattoo studios in the UK

Inky Swallows, Hove

This tiny studio is tucked away behind a barber’s shop on George Street in Hove. All its products are cruelty-free and contain no animal products. Tattoo artist Cheryl offers free consultations on designs and offers plans to pay for your new ink by installments. She can do water colour-style tattoos, pet portraits, blackwork, and cover-ups.

Briar Rose Tattoo, South London

This “botanical” studio in Lewisham houses a wide variety of plants, and says it’s eco-conscious as well as totally vegan. It is a queer-owned, LGBTQ+ safe space, and all the artists are female. They can do abstract pieces, anime characters, gothic styles, and fineline natural designs.

Cult of the Sphynx, Wolverhampton

Located in a former Victorian factory, Cult of the Sphynx is co-owned by a former art teacher and former personal trainer and massage therapist. Between them, the team here can do full colour pieces, Disney-themed designs, blackwork, and occult-themed designs. The studio also offers piercings.

Buzz Club Tattoo, Leeds

Buzz Club Tattoo has two studios, one in the center of Leeds and one outside it in the Hyde Park area. On its website it lists all of the vegan equipment it uses, from the inks to the latex-free gloves. It also says it uses renewable energy to power the studio. Fine line tattoos are its specialty, but it offers a wide range of styles, including hand-poke dot work.

Tengu Tattoo Studio, Bristol

This studio is pretty new, only having opened in the Clifton area of Bristol in February 2023. Co-owned by artists James Bull and Hannya Jayne, it uses all cruelty-free and vegan products and is powered by renewable energy. It lists all the vegan products it uses on its website and it uses eco-friendly and vegan cleaning products, such as handsoaps and surface cleaners. The artists can do intricate colour work, neo-traditional, and detailed realistic pieces.

Good Tattoo Studio, Nottingham

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Located in the center of Nottingham, Good Tattoo Studio has three resident artists and a range of guest artists visiting regularly. The resident artists specialize in delicate, minimalistic and realistic designs, from soft florals to pet portraits. The studio has a particularly cool vibe, too, with exposed brickwork and ceiling beams making it feel like a trendy cafe.

Lighthouse Tattoo & Piercing

Only a few minutes’ walk from the beaches of Brighton, this studio offers both tattoos and piercings. It aims to be as sustainable as possible, using biodegradable plant-based alternatives to single-use plastics and all vegan products. The artists can do traditional style tattoos, lettering, dot work, and minimalist line work.

Fifth Dimension Tattoo & Piercing, London

Fifth Dimension is located in Shoreditch, on (vegan) Bacon Street. Three resident artists can offer geometric tattoos, neo-traditional, graphic styles, line work, and realistic designs. Everything the studio uses from inks to soaps and aftercare products are vegan and plant-based.

More like this:

• 14 Non-Vegan Ingredients To Look Out For In Makeup And Beauty Products
• The Top 20 Vegan Cities In The World Revealed By HappyCow
• The Top 10 ‘Best Vegan Restaurants In The World’ Unveiled

The post 8 Vegan Tattoo Studios To Visit In The UK appeared first on Plant Based News.

McCartney, who has long been vocal in her disdain for leather and fur, urged other designers to ditch animal materials and move to more sustainable plant-based alternatives

“There is a better way for the future of fashion,” she told Plant Based News founder Klaus Mitchell in an interview at the climate conference in Dubai.

Reflecting on the environmental and ethical impacts of fashion, McCartney explained how her brand is trying to find better solutions for the planet.

“There are so many bad things in my industry,” she said. “I’m trying to gently nudge people and open their minds.”

McCartney was at COP28 to showcase Stella’s Sustainable Solutions, a series of plant-based alternatives to harmful fashion products.

Environmental impacts of fashion

The fashion industry – and its use of animal products – is having a major environmental impact.

McCartney is a key voice in the industry calling out the harms of animal fashion. While she mostly avoids animal products, she does use some wool and silk in her collection. “We don’t use leather, feathers, fur,” she said. “And that has the biggest effect on our environmental impact in a positive way.”

“I don’t know if I would still be doing fashion at this stage in my career if it were not for the really truly meaningful important role I now play here in trying to bring awareness and information to the consumer,” she added.

Leather is not a byproduct

McCartney, who has been heavily investing in leather alternatives over the last few years, also slammed the commonly held belief that animal leather is an innocent byproduct of the meat industry. “It’s just sheer nonsense,” she said. “I’m here to let people know that’s a lie that’s been created by the meat industry and leather boards.”

Leather is responsible for the deaths of more than one billion animals each year, many of whom are factory farmed. It’s a hugely lucrative industry in its own right, meaning many people consider it a “coproduct” rather than “byproduct” of beef and other meat.

McCartney – and many others championing plant-based alternatives – have received some pushback about the sustainability of some vegan leather alternatives. Yet, leather is disastrous for the environment. Livestock farming uses vast amounts of land and farming cows is responsible for around a third of human-caused methane emissions.

McCartney spoke about a new plastic-free leather alternative being shown off at her COP28 display. Made from rubber, MIRUM is said to be a scalable vegan leather.

Pushing for policy change

At COP28, McCartney was showcasing “the future of fashion.”

She also spoke about her optimism that the fashion world is changing, saying: “There’s a lot of greenwashing, unfortunately. But I think there is change happening slowly and I think that something’s better than nothing.”

More like this:

• Stella McCartney Says Move Toward Animal-Free Fashion Is ‘Critical’
• Are Ugg Boots Vegan? Everything You Need to Know
• Billie Eilish Promotes Gucci’s New Vegan Leather Bag

The post ‘Sheer Nonsense’: Stella McCartney On Why Leather Is Not A Byproduct appeared first on Plant Based News.

What are Ugg boots made from and why?

The classic Ugg boots are made primarily from sheepskin, or “shearling,” which is the intact skin and wool of a sheep.

The use of sheepskin is intended to ensure that the thermal, cooling, and anti-bacterial qualities of the wool benefit the wearer’s feet on the inside of the boot, while the skin side faces out and offers protection from the elements. (It’s thought that the name “Ugg” originates in the 1920s, when pilots who required additional warmth in unpressurised cockpits labeled their footwear as flying uggs,’ short for ugly.)

This design was first recorded amongst the Australian sheep farming community in the late 1800s, where people wrapped sections of sheepskin around their ankles and feet once they realized that lanolin – a natural grease produced by wool-bearing animals – rotted conventional boots but did not affect the sheepskin they had so readily available.

In the late 1970s, when Australian surfer Brian Smith put on his uggs after a late-night surf in his home of Santa Monica, California, he realised that the boots so popular back home were mostly unavailable in the US. After an initial attempt to import and distribute uggs from Australia, he trademarked the name and founded his own brand, Ugg.

Initial success and Ugg’s growing popularity

Ugg boots became popular almost immediately within the Californian surf community thanks to Smith himself and gained loyal customers over the coming years.

But it was in 1994 that they began to gain serious international attention after several members of the US Olympic team wore Ugg boots in Lillehammer for the Winter Olympics, followed by a similar sales spike in 2003 after Oprah Winfrey mentioned them on her annual list of ‘Oprah’s Favorite Things.’

From the boot’s origins in Australian sheep farming to their nicknaming by early pilots, to Smith’s early production and distribution to his surfing peers, and even to their widespread popularity today, the use of animal-derived sheepskin has been a core part of the design of Ugg boots since the beginning – which means none of the original designs are vegan.

Vegans do not wear any animal-derived clothing, and shearling directly supports both exploitation and slaughter of animals.

What is sheepskin and how is it made?

As noted above, sheepskin includes both the wool and the skin of a sheep, meaning that it is impossible to farm from a living animal. Public perception of the practice varies, but consumers can often be shocked by this, particularly if they believe that production is similar to that of wool and the shearing of still-living sheep. (More on the reasons why wool isn’t vegan here.)

This is likely a symptom of the broader detachment many people have from the realities of animal farming. For example, the Independent previously reported on how few Brits know where the pork products they regularly eat originate, with just 36 percent of consulted meat-eaters correctly identifying pork shoulder as being the shoulder of a pig.

Some of the top suggested searches in Google related to sheepskin production reflect this and notably include: “Can you get sheepskin without killing sheep,” along with “Are sheep harmed for sheep skin,” and “Does shearling require killing the sheep?”

Confusingly, a sheared sheep’s wool coat may occasionally come away in one piece, giving the appearance of a complete pelt rather than just separate wool fibers. But a sheep’s intact skin – as used in Uggs – is exclusively recovered after death and during processing at a slaughterhouse or abattoir, after which it is then tanned with the wool still attached.

Much like leather, sheepskin is often depicted as a waste-reducing byproduct of meat production and animal agriculture in general. However, again much like the leather industry, the reality of sheepskin production can be quite different to its public image.

Investigations into farms supplying Ugg

Wool and sheepskin are both considered by the vegan community to be cruel. Sheep farming is inherently exploitative, and it also comes with a particular set of welfare issues. The main issues affecting farmed sheeps* overall are the deaths of ewes and lambs during birthing, deaths during lengthy transportation, anaesthetic-free mutilations such as tail docking and castration, and the fact that sheeps – including those farmed for wool – will likely end up at the slaughterhouse.

Ugg has received repeated backlash over the years due to the realities of sheep farming and slaughter, including public protest and criticism by celebrities like Pamela Anderson. Campaign groups such as People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) have also targeted Ugg, perhaps most notably posting a video about the industry back in 2016 that went viral on Facebook and led many consumers to boycott Ugg products.

Today, Ugg specifically states that “100 percent of our suppliers certify that they are compliant with our Ethical Sourcing and Animal Welfare Policy,” adding that the company doesn’t support mulesing (the removal of the skin around the tail, which is most commonly done on Merino sheep in Australia) and live animal transportation, and does not accept hides from “inhumanely slaughtered animals” or animals slaughtered purely for their skins.

However, in a recent cease-and-desist letter sent to Ugg, PETA highlights that docking and castration are both still standard practices within the meat industry and are likely still carried out by the company’s otherwise compliant suppliers, including in the US.

Furthermore, PETA notes its seven previous exposés – on over 40 Australian farms and shearing sheds – which documented severe animal abuse from workers and overall poor conditions. The group described Ugg’s claims as “humane washing,” and suggests that the only truly humane choice for the brand is using vegan materials in future.

What else are Ugg boots made from?

As well as sheepskin, Ugg boots are also made from suede, which is the material found on the outside of the boot.

Suede is a type of leather made from the underside of the animal skin, primarily from lambs, although goats, pigs, calves, and deer are also used. It is known for its soft, napped finish and is used in a variety of products such as shoes, jackets, bags, and furniture. Suede is not vegan because it is an animal-derived product. The production of suede and other leather goods involves the killing of animals. While some people argue that they are “byproducts” of meat, the suede and leather industries are lucrative in their own right. They can therefore be considered “co-products“.

Does Ugg make any vegan boots or slippers?

While the original, sheepskin Uggs are definitively not vegan, the company has made several other noteworthy concessions to sustainability in recent years, including the launch of an all-plant-based shoe range back in 2021.

The Plant Power Collection features soles made from sugar cane and a fluffy material made up of TENCEL Lyocell (responsibly harvested tree fibers). The range also incorporates LACTAE HEVEA (natural rubber), and an “environmentally preferred” cotton-hemp blend.

However, Ugg has yet to confirm whether the range will be certified vegan or is just made using plant-derived and sustainable materials. Andrea O’Donnell, the president of both Ugg and Koolaburra, said in a press release at the time that the companies were “committed” to doing their part to combat climate change

“Our design team took inspiration from our iconic styles and created new silhouettes with carbon-neutral, plant-based materials,” explained O’Donnell. “The resulting Plant Power Collection tells a story about what is possible and it’s an exciting step on our journey towards a more sustainable future.”

Also in 2021, Ugg launched its first repair program to try and curb the estimated 300 million pairs of shoes that are thrown away every year. The program will restore damaged shoes to “like-new” condition, and its launch was combined with a goal to regenerate one million hectares of land by 2025.

Furthermore, Ugg stated its plan was to increase its use of recycled, repurposed, regenerated (meaning plant-based), renewable (meaning bio-based), and certified fibers by 35 percent by 2027 as part of an overall journey towards a more “sustainable future”.

*While the English language typically refers to multiple sheep as “sheep”, we use “sheeps” to emphasize their individuality.

More like this:

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• Adidas Launches ‘Plant And Grow’ Vegan Shoes
• Joey Carbstrong And Vegan Team Win Oxford University Debate

The post Are Ugg Boots Vegan? What You Need To Know appeared first on Plant Based News.

The Horsebit 1955 bag is made from Demetra, a vegan leather alternative developed by Gucci. Demetra is 75 percent plant-based, using viscose, wood pulp, and non-GMO corn-based plastic. The remaining 25 percent is made from synthetic materials derived from fossil fuels. Gucci is exploring how to increase the proportion of non-fossil fuel materials in Demetra.

“I am honored to be part of Gucci’s evolution in rethinking tradition,” Eilish told Vogue. “It’s a new understanding, and one that isn’t afraid to evolve in a new direction, that truly matters to me.”

Eilish, 21, has been vegan since she was 12-years-old and is an outspoken advocate for animals and climate activist.

Leather in fashion

Previous incarnations of the Horsebit 1955 bag used to be made from leather, or canvas with a leather trim. The original bag was named 1955 for the year of its launch, and was redesigned in 2019 as the Horsebit 1955. Besides these bags, Gucci uses leather in a lot of its clothing, from trousers to gloves to trench coats. 

Though ever more fashion brands are ditching fur, leather continues to be a popular and widely used material. Globally, the leather market is valued at USD $468.49 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to $738.61 billion by 2030. 

In a 2022 video on Instagram, Eilish explained how she learned about the treatment of animals in the food system and the climate impact of animal farming. Leather is a co-product of meat production and has its own negative impacts on animals and the environment.

Earlier this year, Collective Fashion Justice published a report detailing the abuses suffered by cows in the leather industry. Cows are subjected to mutilations including dehorning, castration, hot iron branding, nose ringing or piercing, and tail docking without pain relief. 

Another report by the group shows how leather production is responsible for serious environmental pollution, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions. It reports that 300 to 400 million tons of heavy metals, solvents, toxic sludge, and other wastes from leather tanneries leach into waterways every year. Meanwhile, producing one cow skin leather tote bag uses 17,128 litres of water – the equivalent to 23 years of one human’s drinking water needs.

Kinder, more sustainable fashion

Gucci has working to become more sustainable and kinder to animals for more than a decade. In 2017 it stopped using fur and angora, starting with its 2018 Spring/Summer collection. It has been working on lowering its climate impact and developing circularity in its supply chain since 2020.

Emma Håkansson, founder of Collective Fashion Justice and author of Total Ethics Fashion, told Plant Based News that Gucci’s new vegan bags show progress in the fashion industry. 

“These bags are stitched together by artisans paid a living wage, they use predominantly plant-based, as well as certified organic and recycled materials, and are totally animal-free,” she said. “This is what bold strides towards total ethics fashion looks like. 

“There is a notion that to use materials which move us beyond animal exploitation means leaving behind heritage crafts, but Demetra shows the opposite to be true. A next-generation leather made in responsible tanneries brings together heritage and our future, towards total ethics fashion, through a just transition.”

More like this:

• Why Isn’t Wool Vegan? The Reality Of Sheep Shearing
• Why Aren’t Pearls Vegan? Here’s How They’re Produced
• Vegan Leather Startup Raises $2 Million, With Help From Jaguar Land Rover

The post Billie Eilish Promotes Gucci’s New Vegan Leather Bag appeared first on Plant Based News.

Written by Emma Hakansson, founding director of the non-profit Collective Fashion Justice, Total Ethics Fashion: People, our fellow animals and the planet before profit explores what is so problematic about the fashion industry in its current form. Hakansson argues that fashion has become a “race to the bottom,” sacrificing creativity and sustainability to produce cheap, disposable clothes at a great ethical cost.

The book shows a way forward for the fashion industry so that it can regain its creativity and put animals, people, and planet before profit. Hakansson’s vision for fashion’s future is encapsulated in a the Total Ethics Manifesto, which is being launched alongside the book today. 

The industry, says the Manifesto, must embrace “a just transition to a fashion system which pays living wages to everyone across all supply chains, which is slow, circular and respectful of planetary boundaries, and which shifts to sustainable and just alternatives to fossil fuel-based, deforestation-driven and animal-derived materials alike.”

“The changes called for in the Total Ethics Fashion Manifesto are significant and will take time,” Hakansson told Plant Based News. “But a growing portion of the fashion industry is taking steps towards it. We don’t have time left to ignore our need for a total ethics fashion transition, as the climate crisis worsens, more animals and humans alike suffer in a system of interconnected harm.”

Individuals and institutions connected to the fashion world can sign the Manifesto, as can politicians, policy-makers, journalists, scientists, academics, celebrities, and influencers. Signatories already include the Center for Biological Diversity, Fashion Revolution India, and animal activist and writer Bel Jacobs.

Launch event

At a launch event for the book and manifesto in London earlier this week, panellists discussed how the injustices in the fashion industry reflect the global crises we are facing.

Bel Jacobs, who was on the panel, described the “hidden driver” of the wider process of global systemic decline as “a way of living and being premised on self-maximization through the plunder of the other. Whether the others are different humans, different species, or the planet itself.”

The discussion also covered how “ethical” and “sustainable” fashion has so far only partially managed to address injustices in fashion. “We’d see that something will be ethical because there’s fair labor behind it,” said Hakansson. “And that’s so important, but it might be fair labor producing something made from the suffering of an animal. We also might see something that’s labelled as vegan but it’s made from fossil fuel-derived material which also isn’t part of the future of fashion.

Referring to Hakansson’s book, moderator Issey Gladston noted that it shows “that we’re at a crossroads right now” and that fashion “can be this force for good … or it can be this force of destruction. And actually we get to decide how we move forward.”

Collective Fashion Justice

Hakansson started Collective Fashion Justice in 2020 to address the three interwoven injustices in the fashion industry: environmental, humanitarian, and anti-speciesist. Other efforts to clean up fashion have tended to focus only on one of these problems at a time.

“So often we consider what ‘ethics’ or ‘sustainability’ in fashion means in an isolated sense, considering just one issue, rather than the web of interconnected injustices which cannot be solved without a collective approach,” Hakansson said.

Collective Fashion Justice pinpoints “fashion’s animal-derived product supply chains” as the point on which all these injustices converge.

“Animals have been excluded from the conversation of fashion and ethics for too long,” said Hakansson. “But the same root of oppression which justifies exploiting animals as materials in fashion also makes way for the exploitation of garment workers and the planet. We must move beyond systems of exploitation and destruction as a whole — leaving no one behind.”

The harms of the fashion industry

The 2022 documentary SLAY, on which Hakansson worked as a line producer, researcher, and interviewee, woke many people up to the hidden costs of using animals to make fashion. 

Among the disturbing facts it brought to the surface is that as many as 1.5 billion animals are skinned in fashion supply chains for leather each year. Tanning leather requires up to 170 unique polluting chemicals such as fungicides and biocides. Multiple fashion brands may also be contributing to deforestation in the Amazon through the supply chains.

The leather supply chain is riddled with injustices. It “typically includes not only the inherent animal commodification and slaughter, but also massive methane emissions and biodiversity destruction, and frequently, unjust labour and exposure to carcinogenic substances by tannery workers,” Hakansson said. 

“When so many different harms are associated with an animal-derived material supply chain, creating a just transition to more sustainable, animal-free and plastic-free materials benefits us all. This is true not only for leather, but across other animal-derived materials.”

More like this:

• How This Vegan Flower Leather Is Cleaning Up The Ganges In India
• Why Isn’t Wool Vegan? The Reality Of Sheep Shearing
• New Report Uncovers ‘Willful Ignorance’ Of Animal Abuse In Leather Industry

The post New Book Explores How Fashion Can Prioritize Animals, Humans, And The Planet appeared first on Plant Based News.

As it’s a product of animal exploitation, buying, wearing, or otherwise utilizing wool is not compatible with a vegan lifestyle. Veganism is a movement against animal exploitation and all industries that use them as commodities. 

Wool production also comes with its own specific ethical costs, and many deem its production to be cruel. As well as causing direct harm to sheep, wool production is bound up with meat production and is far from the harmless industry we’re often told it is. 

Here’s everything you need to know about sheep farming, wool production, and why the material isn’t vegan-friendly. 

How are sheep farmed for wool?

There are around one billion sheep in the world, with the majority farmed in Asia and Africa. China, Australia, and New Zealand are the top three wool producers in the world. The UK comes in at number five, with an estimated 500,000 wool-shedding breeding ewes among the national 14.5 million-strong breeding flock. 

Unlike many farmed animals, sheep generally spend most of their lives grazing on pastures. But their welfare is still often compromised. Exposed to the elements, vulnerable lambs can die from hypothermia in winter and sheep can suffer from heat stress and dehydration in summer, particularly as extreme weather events become more common.

Though extensive grazing systems means sheep have more freedom to express natural behaviors than confined animals, some of these are nonetheless disrupted and curtailed. Farmers forcibly wean lambs several months earlier than they would naturally. They may also segregate sheep based on age, sex, and for the purposes of carrying out various farming tasks, which can cause stress.

Routine mutilations

Mutilations are also common in sheep farming. Docking lambs’ tails using a knife, a hot iron, or a tight ring around the tail is routine and often done without pain relief. Removing the tail is meant to stop the fleece around the tail from being soiled by feces and reduce the risk of flies laying eggs in the animals’ rear ends, known as “fly strike.” There is doubt that tail docking, a painful procedure causing chronic discomfort in lambs, achieves its intended aims.

In Australia, where merino sheep are the main type farmed for their wool, mulesing is a common practice. It involves cutting flesh away from a lamb’s hindquarters to stop feces and urine collecting in the folds of skin there.

Castration of lambs is another routine mutilation, performed using a tight rubber ring, clamp, or surgery. It is meant to prevent unwanted breeding and thought to make them easier to handle when they are bigger. 

Wool involves slaughter

In some countries, such as the UK, wool is a by-product of the meat industry since it has limited economic value. In other countries with significant farmed sheep populations, such as New Zealand and Australia, sheep are considered “dual-purpose,” farmed for both their wool and meat. All end up in a slaughterhouse.

In wool and meat systems, some lambs are slaughtered for meat between the ages of six to nine months old. They might be shorn beforehand, or left with their fleece if it’s in good condition to increase the value of their skin after they are killed.

Others will be a bit older before being shorn and killed. Sheep with high quality wool will be kept alive until they are five or six years old, at which point they are sent to slaughter. Some will be exported live in long, grueling journeys to be slaughtered in other countries.

Is wool cruel? Does shearing hurt sheep?

In the wild, sheep naturally shed their winter coats by scratching their bodies against trees to rub away excess fluff. Selective breeding has made domesticated sheep produce larger fleeces which become hot and uncomfortable without shearing. They are shorn at least once a year – a process which can cause significant stress and pain.

As prey animals, sheep are skittish and don’t like being handled. They are forcibly restrained during shearing. Shearers are often not required to have formal training and injuries to panicked sheep are not uncommon. Sheep will also be handled multiple times during the process and have their water and feed restricted beforehand to prevent them soiling the shearing shed.

Undercover footage taken by PETA has revealed sheep being roughly handled and violently abused in shearing sheds across the world, including the UK.

Can you buy ethical wool?

Some retailers refuse to buy wool from suppliers that engage in the worst kinds of husbandry practices, namely mulesing which is common in Australia. Consumers may believe that mulesing-free wool is the most ethical choice. Guides and standards such as Humane Society’s Better Wool Guide and the Responsible Wool Standard encourage this idea, even though other welfare issues in the wool industry are likely to remain.

In addition, the standards and certification schemes that exist for wool do not prohibit the slaughter of sheep. 

But even wool from farms with the best “welfare” standards will not be vegan, or considered by many to be ethical, as the sheep are still being exploited. 

Sheep who have been rescued from the industry will still need to be shorn, due to the dependence they have on humans for removing their fleece that has been bred into them. But this wool wouldn’t be useful to make into clothes since wool requires extensive chemical treatment that has serious environmental impacts before it can be turned into yarn.

Vegan alternatives to wool

If you want to avoid wool, you needn’t turn to synthetic fossil fuel-based fibers which shed harmful microplastics. There are a number of vegan fabrics that can ensure consumers are not contributing to the suffering or slaughter of sheep. Meanwhile, PETA launched a competition with a USD $1 million reward to develop a vegan material that mimics the qualities of wool. The competition recently closed, with the winner yet to be announced.

Existing options include:

1. Tencel

Also known as Lyocell, this fabric is made from wood cellulose. Tencel, which can be used for tops, jumpsuits, trousers and dresses, is produced using a closed-loop technology, which means that the water and chemicals are re-used.

2. Hemp

This natural, biodegradable material is often used in blended fabrics and doesn’t require any pesticides to grow, which makes it ideal for organic farming. It’s also very breathable and doesn’t trap heat like wool does, which can support the growth of bacteria.

3. Organic cotton

When it comes to eco-friendly cotton, organic farming can make all the difference. Choose organic and Fair Trade cotton to be sure that you’re getting the best product you can.

See here for our full list of more sustainable vegan fabrics.

More like this:

• Is Silk Vegan? The Truth About A Hidden Industry
• Why Aren’t Pearls Vegan? Here’s How They’re Produced
• Are Oysters Vegan? The Debate Explained

The post Why Isn’t Wool Vegan? The Reality Of Sheep Shearing appeared first on Plant Based News.

Pearl production is often regarded as cruel. The stones are a product of animal use and exploitation, meaning they are not considered compatible with a vegan lifestyle. Veganism is an all-encompassing philosophy that’s about more than just diet, and covers items we use and wear as well. 

Here’s everything you need to know about pearls. 

Are pearls vegan?

Wearing pearls isn’t considered to be vegan. This is because they come from oysters, meaning they are animal derived. A pearl is essentially an ulcer that forms on the oyster in response to an irritant. Typically, an irritant is placed inside an oyster’s shell by a human, which leads them to respond by coating it in a crystalline substance called nacre. It’s this substance that gives pearls their famous sheen. 

Is pearl production cruel?

Many people believe that oysters aren’t sentient and are incapable of feeling fear and pain like us. So strong is this view, that even some prominent animal rights figures – like Peter Singer – have openly said they aren’t opposed to eating oysters. 

It’s true that oysters lack a brain and central nervous system. This may mean, therefore, that they do not feel feelings in the same way as humans, pigs, fish, and other animals considered to be sentient. It does not necessarily mean, however, that they lack the capacity to feel. We don’t know that a different physiology means a lack of sentience – it may be that they experience feelings beyond our understanding.

How pearls are made

The way oysters respond during the pearl production process indicates that they may have the capacity to feel something resembling pain and fear. The pearl industry has created a process called “cultivating” pears, which sees farmers pry open the shell and manually insert an irritant. Oysters can be observed appearing to hide inside their shells when they sense danger. They also snap them shut tightly when disturbed by touch or loud noises. These may be natural reflexes, however.

Farmers will also often suspend the oysters in a cage and subject them to different water temperatures. This is so they can get the desired shape and consistency of the pearl. The oysters will then be pried open once more so they can have their pearl taken from them. 

Many oysters will then be thrown into the water so they can repeat the pearl cycle again. After they are no longer of use for pearl production, they will be killed for food. 

Can you buy vegan pearls?

While pearls derived from oysters are not vegan, it is possible to buy pearl-like products made from glass, plastic, or other materials. Vivienne Westwood is one brand that creates some necklaces made with glass-based pearls (though you should always double-check before buying, as some are animal-derived). Many vegans designers incorporate plant-based pearls in their collections, including Vellva. 

More like this:

• Is Silk Vegan? The Truth About A Hidden Industry
• How Is Cashmere Made?
• Inside The Fur Farming Industry: Can Fur Really Be ‘Ethical’ Or ‘Sustainable’?

The post Why Aren’t Pearls Vegan? Here’s How They’re Produced appeared first on Plant Based News.

The undisclosed amount came from JLR’s investment arm, InMotion Ventures. It was part of a pre-seed funding round that saw the biomaterials start-up raise $2 million. Other investors include Stray Dog Capital, Alwyn Capital, VegInvest, GlassWalls Syndicate, and Hack Capital. 

“We’re thrilled to work with InMotion Ventures and JLR to reimagine leather in the automotive industry,” said Stephanie Downs, CEO and co-founder of Uncaged Innovations, in a statement. “We’re proud to have leveraged just one percent of the funds raised by previous innovators to go from concept to full-scale production, giving us a competitive edge over our competitors.”

Uncaged Innovations will use the funding to create a more sustainable alternative to animal leather. It’s thought that the company is prioritizing luxury and durability in its development. 

The rise of vegan leather

The animal-free leather alternative market has experienced rapid growth in recent years. It was valued at USD $39.5 billion in 2022, and it’s been forecast to grow to $74.5 billion by 2030.

As well as fashion brands, car manufacturers appear to be showing increasing levels of interest in vegan leather. A number of well-known companies including Tesla and BMW, as well as JLR, have made use of it in their interiors in recent years.

While vegan leather (sometimes termed “pleather”) has often traditionally been made from PU, PVC, and other plastic materials, an increasing number of companies are creating more sustainable versions. 

Cactus, pineapple, and mushroom are just three such ingredients that can be used to make plant-based leather. One company in India is also using waste flowers from the Ganges, cleaning up the river in the process. High fashion brands like Stella McCartney and Balenciaga are also promoting vegan leather in their collections.

The post Vegan Leather Startup Raises $2 Million, With Help From Jaguar Land Rover appeared first on Plant Based News.

According to the brand, the shoes “replicate the luxurious look and feel” of animal leather. They are made from 50 percent maize waste and 50 percent recycled polyurethane, and are said to be 63 percent biodegradable. They are also up to four times more durable than animal leather. 

The new collection is mostly made up of black and white sneakers, with some pairs coming in red, green, and blue. They are all handmade in Portugal, and described as “for the eco conscious trendsetter.”

The rise of LØCI

LØCI was founded in 2021, and it’s quickly establishing itself as a key player in the plant-based shoe space. Leonardo DiCaprio invested in the brand last year, and its celebrity fans include Ben Affleck, Jessica Alba, and Mila Kunis. 

“We believe that the measure of our success lies in the magnitude of our impact,” said CEO Emmanuel Eribo in a statement. “Today, it is crucial to go beyond creating exceptional products; we are here to drive change. That is why it is always imperative for us to think differently and swim against the tide.”

One of LØCI’s USPs is that it uses recycled plastic bottles where possible, while also incorporating materials like recycled nylon and brass, cork, bamboo, and natural rubber replace, rather than animal leather. 

LØCI has claimed that it’s prevented around one million plastic bottles from being discarded. It also donates 10 percent of sales to marine organizations SEE Turtles and Sea Shepherd. 

Leonardo DiCaprio supports sustainable brands

Speaking about his decision to invest in LØCI, DiCaprio previously said in a statement that he was “proud” to support a brand “dedicated to minimizing its environmental impact, and centered around creating cruelty-free, ethical footwear.”

The actor has also supported a number of other sustainable fashion brands, including Vitrolabs and Allbirds. He’s also invested in the cultivated meat sector, as well as Lewis Hamilton’s vegan chain Neat Burger.

Those interested can view the new LØCI maize collection here. Prices for the “corn” sneakers start at $215 (£173), and they are available to order online now.

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The EQT93 “Plant and Grow” sandals take inspiration from nature for their color palette, which is made up of Green Oxide, Brown, and Easy Yellow. They have also been designed with community gardening projects as a key inspiration.

“A modern remix on our coveted EQT 93 silhouette, they honor nature with a speckled rubber sole that mimics the texture of soil, earthy colors and a ‘plant and grow’ logo on the heel,” Adidas said in a statement. “Guerrilla gardening beautifies city spaces, brings communities together, and provides nourishing food. It’s also the influence behind these Adidas sandals.”

Materials included in the Plant and Grow sandals include a synthetic upper, in place of Adidas’ more traditional leather and suede options. A fabric lining and durable rubber sole complete the construction. 

The sandals are priced at USD $105, or £85.

Adidas is no stranger to vegan footwear

The new Plant and Grow sandals are the latest in a slew of vegan-friendly footwear releases for the sportswear giant. 

In 2018, Adidas launched a campaign declaring “Our Icons Go Vegan.” The project saw the brand partner with fashion designer Stella McCartney to launch a cruelty-free version of its flagship Stan Smith sneakers made from vegan leather and animal-free glues.

It’s also given its Superstar and Samba sneaker lines a cruelty-free makeover. Most recently, Adidas teamed up with Disney to commemorate the latter’s centenary celebration with vegan Mickey and Minnie Samba shoes. Both versions come in plain white synthetic leather with contrasting color details and small Disney graphics.

Kangaroo leather still remains

Despite creating a number of animal-free footwear options, Adidas has chosen not to follow in the footsteps of fellow giants Nike and Puma in dropping kangaroo leather from its portfolio.

Back in March, Puma was the first to announce it is phasing out leather in favor of “superior” synthetic options. Two weeks later, Nike revealed similar plans. Conversely, Adidas revealed that it will continue to manufacture its Copa Mundial football boots with kangaroo leather into 2024.

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Contrary to what many people believe, veganism is more than just a diet. It’s a commitment to abstaining from contributing to all forms of animal exploitation (where possible). Silk is one of the many animal-derived materials that are not vegan-friendly. 

Silk has been around for centuries, and is used to make clothes, scarves, and other accessories. It’s also been something of a trend in recent months, with a number of companies swearing by the alleged benefits of silk pillowcases. Moreover, the silk market is projected to reach between $14-18 billion by 2025.

Those tempted by silk products should be aware, however, that its production involves the killing of countless insects. Here’s everything you need to know about why silk isn’t vegan. 

Why isn’t silk vegan?

Silk is produced from fiber spun by worms when they make cocoons. The industry calls them “silkworms,” and they are generally raised and bred on farms. If these worms were allowed to live out their natural lives, they would transform into moths after leaving their cocoons. On farms, however, they are killed before they get the chance. 

The worms start to spin their cocoons when they are around 35 days old. They secrete liquid silk through glands on their bodies, and it hardens when it comes into contact with the air. Cocoons are made from a single thread of silk that can be up to 900 meters long. Once the worms have finished spinning and are inside, workers often extract the silk by placing the cocoon in extremely hot water to unravel them. This means that the worms are boiled alive. 

Some silk farms may also use freezing, baking, or gassing as means to kill the worms and extract the silk. According to PETA, it takes 3,000 worms to make one pound of silk. It’s thought that trillions could be killed each year in the industry. 

Do silkworms feel pain?

Pain is a subjective experience, and impossible to prove in any non-human animal at this point in time. While most humans are aware that dogs and cats feel pain because of their similar reactions to humans, the experience of some animals is less apparent. 

Worms and other invertebrates have a very different physiology to humans, leading many people to assume they cannot feel like we do. However, they still have a brain and nervous system, and there is a great deal of scientific evidence to suggest they feel pain. 

In April 2022, an evolutionary psychology professor at the University of Washington named David Parash offered the argument that animals some people deem as less intelligent – like invertebrates – could likely experience pain. 

In a study titled Even Worms Feel Pain, he wrote: “Insofar as it is a crucial alarm signal, pain should be a cross-species universal, no less valuable for paramecia than for people.” He then referenced a quote in a chapter called Can They Suffer? from Richard Dawkins’ 2017 book Science in the Soul.

The quote reads: “Isn’t it plausible that an unintelligent species might need a massive wallop of pain, to drive home a lesson that we can learn with less powerful inducement?”

Environmental impact of silk

Many people may also be unaware that silk, despite being biodegradable, harms the environment too. According to the Higg Index, silk production is more damaging to the environment than almost all other fibers. Silk reportedly requires more water and generates more greenhouse gasses and pollution than a majority of other textiles (including plastic-based ones).

What are some vegan alternatives to silk?

There are a number of non-animal materials that can be used as alternatives to silk. Silk-like material can be made from pineapple, cactus, and lotus, and these have all been highlighted as more environmentally sound as well. Satin is also similar in texture and appearance, and isn’t derived from an animal source.

The post Is Silk Vegan? The Truth About A Hidden Industry appeared first on Plant Based News.

Born Free, Four Paws, the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), and Last Chance for Animals worked together to launch a nationwide campaign. The groups hope to facilitate a change of heart in Dillard’s by highlighting the cruelty of fur production. This, alongside the potential benefits the chain could enjoy if it publicly denounced fur.

Competitor department store Nordstrom is cited as an example of the latter. The massive chain saw its stock increase after announcing it was going fur-free.

Dillard’s – which had 282 stores across 29 states at last count – remains the only chain of its size and fame in the US to sell products featuring real animal fur, HSUS says. Multiple operations including Bloomingdale’s, Kohl’s, and Macy’s have all removed fur from their catalogs. 

“As we’ve seen with other fur-free announcements, the positive feedback and goodwill that going fur-free promises to generate would certainly outweigh the small amount that Dillard’s receives from fur sales,” HSUS said in a statement.

Thousands of people have already lent their support to the new campaign. So far, more than 72,000 have contacted Dillard’s via the HSUS website as part of the fur-free campaign.

Legal strife over fur at Dillard’s

Dillard’s previously came under fire – and investigation – for falsely claiming that items contained faux fur, when they were actually made with raccoon dog fur.

The company was named in three petitions sent to the Federal Trade Commission. It was also taken to Superior Court and received widespread negative news coverage. Subsequently, the department store chain pledged to stop selling raccoon dog fur in 2013. Now, activists want to see a blanket ban on all fur items.

HSUS reiterates that Dillard’s has access to a slew of fur alternatives, with many already being sold on its website. The animal advocacy group also doubled down on its policy that a real fur trim on a coat or a pom on a shoe is not worth the suffering inflicted on animals to make it.

The real price of department store fur

Approximately 100 million animals are farmed specifically for their pelts (skins and fur) each year.

Farming practices commonly involve containing animals in small cages that inhibit their natural behaviors and become breeding grounds for disease. 

Animals desperate for freedom can resort to self-mutilation but are rarely given veterinary care. Instead, they are routinely overfed to increase their fur quota, which is “cashed in” when they are killed.

Most animals suffer a gruesome death from electrocution, gassing or physical violence, while others are skinned alive.

Those interested in urging Dillard’s to stop selling fur can do so here.

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Originally designed for soccer players in 1949, the Samba sneaker is traditionally made with kangaroo leather. However, this has been swapped for a synthetic upper. Interior leather and suede trims have also been substituted for cruelty-free alternatives. 

Disney x Adidas Samba design details

The Mickey shoes feature a monochrome graphic of the character on the tongue, as well as black outlines around Adidas’ signature serrated three-stripe design. An image of Mickey’s gloved hand appears on the heel panel, to finish the look.

Similarly, the Minnie Sambas showcase a red shadow around the three stripes and a gloved hand with a red polka-dot bow on the heel. A red Adidas tongue label completes the design.

In place of the standard suede toe cap, both versions now showcase a felted-style material.

Adidas embraces vegan sneakers

As one of the largest global sneaker manufacturers, Adidas is no stranger to vegan shoe releases. It has previously unveiled leather-free football boots, plus vegan versions of its classic Stan Smith and Superstar designs.

However, the brand is now under increasing pressure to permanently remove kangaroo leather from its supply chain. This comes as Puma and Nike pledged to use synthetic materials for their premium football lines going forward. Both cited better performance and sustainability credentials as being instrumental to their decision.

Adidas is yet to announce a similar move. Instead, it has seemingly doubled-down on its use of kangaroo leather. The brand recently confirmed that it will use the material through 2024. 

The new Disney x Adidas sneakers will drop in the UK on April 25 at 11pm BST, priced at £85. They will be available in the US from April 27 at 3am EDT, for $100.

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The announcement came just two weeks after Puma also ditched the material after becoming impressed by a vegan synthetic alternative.

Nike initially stated that its Tiempo Legend Elite football boot will switch to a fully synthetic upper. However, the brand went on to confirm that it is taking kangaroos out of its supply chain altogether.

Similarly to Puma, Nike claims that it will favor a new synthetic material that offers “a better performance solution and replaces the use of kangaroo leather.”

Kangaroo leather became popular with soccer boot manufacturers due to its supposed extra durability. This was assumed to improve performance, but cruelty-free alternatives appear to be just as, if not more, effective.

Fashion’s fading interest in kangaroo leather

Alongside Puma, Nike’s decision means that two of the largest buyers of kangaroo hides have now turned their back on the material.

High-end fashion names including Chanel, Gucci, and Prada have all rejected kangaroo leather from their portfolios.

‘Kangaroos are not shoes’

Animal activists have welcomed Nike’s news, particularly the Center for a Humane Economy (CHE).

Having launched its “Kangaroos Are Not Shoes” campaign in 2020, CHE called on major brands to stop creating demand for the deaths of more than two million kangaroos each year. It also specifically targeted Nike, by erecting billboards close to its Oregon headquarters in 2021.

CHE considers recent developments within the sportswear sector to be significant steps forward.

“Nike’s announcement that it will end the use of kangaroo skins for its athletic shoes is a seismic event in wildlife protection, and tremors will be felt all over the world. Especially in Australia, where the mass commercial slaughter of kangaroos occurs,” Wayne Pacelle, president of the Center for a Humane Economy, said in a statement. 

“Non-animal-based fabrics are athletically and morally superior. In March, we’ve seen two of the three largest brands in athletic shoes pledge to end their use of kangaroo skins and to bring relief to these iconic marsupials in Australia.”

Adding credence to the “athletic superiority” of synthetics, it has been reported that out of the 172 goals scored in the 2022 football World Cup, 164 were attributed to players wearing synthetic or cow leather (most were synthetic).

Adidas remains the last major buyer of kangaroo leather, with CHE stating that it must follow Nike and Puma’s examples. It also calls on Australia to shut down its “ruthless commercial kangaroo-killing industry,” though insiders are putting up a fight.

The kangaroo leather sector fights back

With multiple major buyers dropping kangaroo leather, the Australian industry appears to be panicking. It has released a statement claiming that any culling bans could lead to overpopulation.

Commercial hunting of kangaroos is legal in Australia, as are “conservation culls,” designed to control the population. If neither is allowed to continue, industry insiders claim that this will create a need for non-commercial culling. This, they say, will impact animal welfare.

In another attempt to secure support, Ray Borda, president of the Kangaroo Industry Association of Australia, spoke to the Guardian. He said that kangaroos (for leather) are a sustainable option.

“They emit less methane, require less water, place less pressure on grazing lands, and don’t require energy to capture and contain [as cattle and sheep].”

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Collective Fashion Justice published the findings in collaboration with animal rights group FOUR PAWS. They detail a lack of traceability in leather supply chains, animal welfare policies that fail to address core issues, and an absence of media coverage relating to the ethical implications of leather.

Leather is made from the skin or hides of animals, usually cows. While it’s often thought of as a “byproduct” of beef, leather is actually a multi-billion dollar in its own right. It’s a hugely popular material used to make coats, shoes, belts, and more at a wide range of fashion brands. 

The animal cost of the leather industry

The report, which was veterinarian-approved, detailed a number of “inhumane” practices farms raising cows for leather. 

Animals were subjected to mutilations including dehorning, castration, hot iron branding, nose ringing or piercing, and tail docking without pain relief. Authors also found evidence of “beatings and mistreatment,” including cows being waterboarded during smuggling to roadside slaughterhouses.  

When being transported between countries, cows were also put at risk of being “cooked alive” in “intense heat” onboard ships with 20,000 other cows. 

Fashion and media ‘ethics-washing’

The report claims that the fashion industry and media is failing to take responsibility for animal welfare breaches. Out of 250 companies analyzed by Fashion Revolution, only 12 percent were able to disclose where their raw materials were sourced. This meant that guarantees of “animal welfare” were not possible.

Despite this, fashion brands often use terms like “responsible” and “ethical” to describe their leather goods.

“The fashion industry intentionally hides the reality of animal exploitation and slaughter in the production of their shoes, bags and clothing,” Emma Håkansson from Collective Fashion Justice told Plant Based News (PBN). “While people are aware that leather is the processed skins of animals, all advertising and messaging from the fashion industry is designed to normalise this and limit questioning.”

The report also found that less than a quarter of articles relating to leather and its alternatives in publications like Vogue Business, WWD, and Business of Fashion contained a mention of animal welfare. 

Collective Fashion Justice is calling on the fashion industry to stop this “ethics-washing” (which is the practice of falsely advertising products as ethical). It’s also calling on them to invest in research into leather alternatives. 

“The fashion industry has a responsibility to address the cow in the room,” Håkansson told PBN. “Discuss ethical issues in fashion media, conferences and events. Create animal protection policies that are worth something, and set up a timeline for a shift beyond animal-derived leather. For people, our fellow animals and the planet alike, a just transition beyond leather is critical.”

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