What is it:
Fashion houses are betting heavily on leather or leather looks for the F/W22 season. Many of them work with vegan leather alternatives because consumers are asking more and more about it and are no longer willing to accept animal suffering. Full leather looks have been seen on the catwalks in the form of dresses, long skirts or coordinating sets of coats, jackets and blazers. While many of these designs have a more edgy style, some designers have focused on elegant cuts and classic silhouettes.
Why you should order it:
The use of leather has undergone an animal-friendly, sustainable upgrade in the last year. Some initiatives and manufacturing companies have embraced the development of leather alternatives and brought them to market through partnerships with retailers. The result is that leather and leather looks are making a comeback, both in retail and on the catwalk. The look has become an important part of the collections and brands are experimenting with different materials in innovative ways: synthetic leather made of polyurethane or PVC is joined by more sustainable raw materials such as pineapple, cactus, wine, apple or mushroom leather. Vegan alternatives give a broader clientele access to the products and thus appeal to an increasingly sustainability-oriented clientele.
Where we saw it:
Some fashion houses have embraced the all-leather look with edgy rock ‘n’ roll designs, using oversized buckles, bold zippers and alternative silhouettes – perhaps a nod to the Elvis biopic still in cinemas today. Pieter Mulier’s looks at Alaïa, on the other hand, were more punk-inspired. One consisted of a form-fitting dress that appeared to be made entirely of belt buckles, while another resembled a leather jacket, except that it hit the ankles. Khaite and Prabal Gurung also experimented in this area, practicing daring cuts. Chloé and Alexander McQueen, on the other hand, opted for simple, structured dresses with a matt leather look.
How to style it:
Depending on which leather clothing you want to combine, there are many ways to create an all-leather look. When it comes to dresses, you should exercise restraint when it comes to accessories and round off the garment with simple leather boots. Pants can be paired with leather tops or leather t-shirts to create a rock complete look. Skirts can also be combined with leather tops or an oversized leather jacket to give the outfit a certain attitude.
The full leather look is only relevant for the colder months, but can be worn by a wide range of customers, either as a fancy daytime look or as a sophisticated, clean-cut outfit for the evening. Recent developments in alternative materials are likely to ensure the look’s presence in fashion for quite some time to come.
This article was previously published on FashionUnited.uk. Translation and editing: Barbara Russ