Vegan Leather Makes its Free People Debut

I am beyond excited about the fact that Free People is now launching its very own line of vegan leather pieces! As I mentioned in the video, I am a vegetarian and although it doesn’t bother me when other people wear leather products, it’s not something I can bring myself to do. Which is torture, because working here I see so many amazing leather items that I love – but it seemed only natural that we would do this, being a company that loves animals so much! After months of anticipation, vegan leather is here, and I’m happy to say that my search for the perfect vegan leather jacket has ended :)

In addition to the jacket, the other items online now are the vegan leather pants, vegan leather skirt and vegan leather shorts. I love that these items can be styled in a girly way, with pretty blouses and heels, or in a boyish rock n’ roll way:

vegan-leather2

And here’s how I styled the pants for the video – I paired them with the concert raglan and sandals for an easy casual look. Clearly the boyish look is more my style :)

vegan-leather

items pictured: vegan leather pant, we the free raglan tee, calypso pendant necklace, kale collegic stack rings, zion ring, molly beaded sandal.

Your response will help determine whether we’ll continue to design into this line, so I would love to hear your thoughts on vegan leather!

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12 years ago

I always found it to be odd that you guys are all boho and earthy but still sold leather products..kind of hypocritical.

I’m glad you guys found this vegan leather. You are making a lot of people happy with that =]

12 years ago

This is amazing! I love this idea of Vegan leather!
Much love,
B

Anonymous
12 years ago

SO stoked about this line…as someone who also cannot bring myself to wear animal products, it is so wonderful that FP is taking a step in a positive direction..thanks! Much love..

12 years ago

this is so perfect! i love leather, but i have always felt guilty when i wear it. thank you so much for doing this!

Anonymous
12 years ago

I’m so excited about this! It’s not only humane and responsible, but a cheaper option as well (compared to yall’s 1,000 dollar leather pants)

12 years ago

so glad! I’ve been a vegetarian for 23 years and can’t wait to rock a faux leather jacket! I am SO buying this!

12 years ago

I’m so happy you guys are doing this! I’ve wanted a leather jacket for so long. . . now I can wear one without feeling guilty!

Anonymous
12 years ago

although i am eating some meat as we speak…I LIKE THE STUFF!! :)

Jessica
12 years ago

Amazing! Thank you for literally setting the trend and making compassionate clothing a serious demand in the clothing industry. We are headed in the right direction because of statements like these. Free People you are officially a voice for the voiceless!

Anonymous
12 years ago

These look pretty cool. . . I hope you’re right that they do feel really nice and don’t have that sticky plasticky touch. I love leather but can’t always afford it so I would go for a really high quality alternative. Re: comment above, to me “boho and earthy” means natural fabrics, including leather, so the more natural fabrics you sell, the better (there has been more and more rayon lately, which always makes me sad). So I don’t think selling leather is hypocritical at all. . . but I do hope you find a good market for this and it’s great that you’re doing this for people who don’t feel the same way I do about wearing leather.

Anonymous
12 years ago

These look pretty cool. . . I hope you’re right that they do feel really nice and don’t have that sticky plasticky touch. I love leather but can’t always afford it so I would go for a really high quality alternative. Re: comment above, to me “boho and earthy” means natural fabrics, including leather, so the more natural fabrics you sell, the better (there has been more and more rayon lately, which always makes me sad). So I don’t think selling leather is hypocritical at all. . . but I do hope you find a good market for this and it’s great that you’re doing this for people who don’t feel the same way I do about wearing leather.

Stargirl
12 years ago

Looks so cool and stylish. Stella McCartney would be jealous!

Anonymous
12 years ago

YES!!
I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen with free people! I’ve always wondered because Free People is so friendly to animals where exactly the wool you use and leather comes from. Just because I would think free people was an anti-cruelty brand and there are so gorgeous many wool sweaters and leather shoes i would love to purchase but i don’t buy those things unless they are anti-cruelty. I would love to know where free peoples wool comes from. This is a HUGE step up i think and can’t wait for more vegan leather items to come out from free people! <3

Rachel
12 years ago

i feel the same way! i usually get leather/animal derived items second hand, but i buy vegan when i get the chance. thank you for doing this and supporting the rights of animals, you’re a wonderful company :)

Anonymous
12 years ago

So basically this is pleather? I didn’t know that FP was into something that Target and Wal-mart sells every year… I’m almost disappointed.

Ktara
12 years ago

love it!!! I have even more respect for you know- I hate how the fashion industry exploits animals and it’s consumers for the most part are not willing to make the connection. Fur is no longer acceptable ( to the majority) so it should be for leather and feathers (shudder to think about the global demand for feathers as accessories at the moment) So congratulations for being awesum and being a leader! As for those that question rayon- it is as breathable as cotton when done with the right weave, and is more environmentally friendly than the typical cotton process- due to it’s synthesization from large % recycled materials and lack of need for intensive agricultural production. What’s not good about that…. Being “earthy” should be about respecting the earth- not just “appearing” to be. Peace xox

Vix
12 years ago

Loving the vegan leather, but why would you photograph items made of vegan leather with “regular” leather? Who is your target audience? I can’t be the only vegan bothered by this

guest
12 years ago

welcome back Lou and Candy. You both look so hot and on fire for fall. I love it! Thanks.

BohoQueen
12 years ago

Just last year, I became a vegan, and I agree with the girls in the video that it IS hard to look at the awesome leather pieces FP sells, since I refuse to buy it. This new line is perfect for people like me. I really do hope you guys keep this new line up! Also, I adore the last picture of the outfit, even though I’m completely “Candy” and “Meadow,” and not one bit of “Lou,” but I appreciate how this leather looks caters to so many styles, like pairing it with an already grungy outfit, or with an adorable frilly, girly piece! I loved the whole video, and I’m so happy to hear that lots of the girls who work at my favorite clothing store are vegetarians! (I also love the nail polish that Julia is wearing! I have the same exact color on my toes right now! LOL!) xoxo

Suki
12 years ago

I love Free People and these pieces are very cute and priced reasonably. However, I have to wonder what makes these items different from any other polyurethane garment. I applaud the promotion of faux leather and am glad that FP has created a line like this. But, I wonder what makes this collection “Vegan” as apposed to simply “faux.” Is the production of these pieces special in any other way?

Andrea
12 years ago

WONDERFUL! Thank you for quality, fashion-forward clothing that is now made from earth-friendly materials (wow does it takes a LOT of water, fuel and arable land to raise animals, not to mention the vast amount of greenhouse gasses emitted by livestock… far greater than what is used to produce manmade materials.) When you have such beautiful options available, going the green route is not only easy, it’s HOT. LOVE THIS!!!!

guest
12 years ago

Well, I don’t know. I have to try on the pieces to see how they feel. My main question would be would I be able to wear the garments in 100 degree heat weather. But, they seem more friendly like I could wear them out and not have people stare out me for looking too flashy with leather.

12 years ago

Brilliant! I adore your leather pieces and as a pescaterian myself, I totally support the initiative! Can’t wait to try them on…

Hugs & kisses from Rio!
http://acasadava.blogspot.com

Ummmm...
12 years ago

Vegan leather? Seriously? I can’t be the only non-vegan who sees that and wants to eat 5 burgers out of spite. What’s wrong with faux leather? Calling it vegan leather is so politically charged. P.E.T.A. is annoying enough with the “I’d rather go naked” campaign, but now Free People wants to jump on the “vegan” bandwagon too? I’ll go buy my real leather products from a store that doesn’t feel the need to broadcast veganism.

12 years ago

i LOVE vegan leather! i bought the vegan leather shorts from the store at k.o.p. and i couldn’t be any happier with them!

http://www.alyssarude.tumblr.com