vegan leather

This is leather which is made from plastic or plant products, not from animal products.  Vegan is not usually applied to leather made from PVC which ultimately comes from fossil fuels.  This sort of leather is described as vinyl.  Since no animals in modern times are harmed, it is ok for vegans. Vegan is also applied to leather made from polyurethane (also known as PU leather).  Since all the materials used to make polyurethane are synthetic is technically regarded as vegan.

Leather from plant materials can be made from cork, pineapple leaves, grapes (the residue in the wine press after the juice is extracted), and mushrooms.  This kind of leather is completely biodegradable.  Setting aside the cork where production is slow, these leathers are cheap and easy to produce and provide a stylish leather substitute.  Cork leather is durable, elastic, lightweight, hypoallergenic, anti-fungal and waterproof!