"Livestock’s Long Shadow" [Click Here to access the report]

A UN report on the effects of factory farming on the environment

"The UN found that it contributes more greenhouse gasses than all the cars, trucks, planes, SUVs, Hummers, ships and tanks in the world combined. The UN also found that its a major factor in the "top two or three most significant [environmental] problems, at every level from local to global." The University of Chicago just produced a report saying that switching from a standard car to a hyrbid is less effective at countering global warming than switching from eating meat to being vegetarian. "

Matt Prescott

PETA

Are Synthetic Leathers the Answer?

The common misconception is that all synthetic leathers are the same and are considered unnatural or more toxic than natural leather.

However, to put it simply Leather tanning [the process that makes leather wearable] is exceptionally harmful to the environment and the people involved in the process.

PETA also supports this understanding that there is far less runoff and residue when synthetic leathers are produced as compared to leather.

Going one step further, not all imitation leather is the same.

The principal components of pleather, which are both petroleum based are Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU).

In terms of utility, the best faux leathers are made of polyurethane (PU), which is washable, can be dry-cleaned and allows some air to flow through the garment.

PVC on the other hand, doesn't breathe and is difficult to clean. It is also significantly more harmful to the environment since it tends to leach chemicals and requires the use of Phthalates to make it soft and flexible.

"PVC is the most damaging plastic on the planet" says Lisa Finaldi, a Greenpeace Toxics Campaign Coordinator. She cites dioxin, which travels long distances on wind currents and is linked to cancer, reproductive problems and diabetes, as an inadmissible byproduct.

It would be irresponsible to say that synthetic materials don’t have an environmental impact, we just think it’s worth putting their impact vs. leather and fur into context.

Our Future

We are constantly striving to create products that are fashion forward and that reduce our impact.

The 2009 Collection repurposes a number materials that have been traditionally used for very different purposes as components within our line.

Take a look at our favorites, SUPPORT PARAPETTE & SHOP NOW!