Why are there so few vegan fashion designers?

If you search for vegan fashion brands, meaning those that are owned and run by vegan fashion designers, the results are few and far between. This is disappointing on several fronts. Vegan fashion represents the pinnacle of ethical principles in the fashion industry, and can lead the way for a better future for animals exploited by the fashion industry and create a more sustainable and eco-friendly fashion industry. We would also love to add more designers to our Vegan Fashion Directory. The good news is that this is slowly changing.

The reason the change is slow is because the fashion industry is vast and complex, with established systems, supply chains, and manufacturing processes that are heavily invested in conventional materials. Shifting this infrastructure to accommodate new, specialized vegan materials takes time and significant capital. 

High-quality, truly sustainable, and innovative vegan alternatives (like pineapple, cactus, or mushroom leather, or eco-conscious synthetic alternatives) often require extensive research and development (R&D), which is costly and time-consuming. The supply chain for these next-generation vegan materials is still developing and can be a "headache" to navigate, making sourcing and scaling up production difficult for smaller, independent designers.

This means that new, premium vegan materials and ethical production methods can be more expensive than conventional animal-derived or low-cost synthetic options which have well-established supply chains. 

There is also still a stigma about vegan materials based on older-style "vegan leather" (like PVC or PU) that often gets criticized for being plastic-based and non-biodegradable. Vegan designers need to ensure vegan alternatives match the durability, feel, and functionality of traditional materials to appeal to a wider consumer base. 

However the global vegan women's fashion market is projected for significant growth, driven by increasing consumer awareness of animal welfare and environmental impact. 

There is a strong and growing community of fully vegan luxury and independent brands, as showcased in our Vegan Fashion Directory, proving that stylish, high-quality, and ethical fashion is achievable.