The Real Cost of Leather: Why We Choose Vegan

Leather has long been seen as a symbol of quality, tradition, and luxury.
But behind that glossy surface hides a story the fashion industry rarely tells — one of animal suffering, toxic production, and environmental harm.

At NAE Vegan Shoes, our decision to never use leather wasn’t about following a trend. It was a moral and environmental choice.
Because once you understand the real cost of leather, it’s impossible to look away.

The Lives Behind the Material

Every year, billions of animals are killed for the global leather industry.
Among them are cows, sheep, goats — and often, pigs.

Yes, the same gentle, intelligent animals as Rosa, the pig we sponsored and celebrated this World Animal Day. Many people don’t realize that pigskin is widely used in the footwear industry — especially for shoe linings, due to its texture and breathability.

But what those technical words hide is the reality: behind that lining, there was a life — a sentient being capable of emotion, fear, and joy.

When we learned how much suffering hides behind the materials used in conventional shoes, we knew we couldn’t be part of that cycle.

The Hidden Industry of Pain

The leather industry is often portrayed as a by-product of the meat trade — but in truth, it is a multi-billion-euro industry of its own, driving demand for animal hides and perpetuating mass breeding and slaughter.

To transform skin into leather, animals must die. And after that, their hides go through a chemical-intensive process that pollutes water, soil, and communities.

Tanneries use chromium salts, formaldehyde, and other heavy metals to prevent leather from decomposing — the very substances that make it last are those that harm the planet.
Many of these tanneries operate in regions where labor conditions are poor, exposing workers to toxic environments without protection.

So the price of a pair of leather shoes isn’t measured in euros — it’s measured in suffering and contamination.

Choosing Better: Vegan Alternatives

As a brand, we knew we had to do better. That’s why every NAE collection is made using plant-based and recycled materials, designed to last without harm.

We work with AppleSkin™ (made from apple waste), cork, bio-based EVA soles, organic cotton, and recycled microfibers. These aren’t compromises — they’re innovations that prove quality and compassion can coexist.

Choosing vegan leather doesn’t mean choosing less.
It means choosing differently — choosing responsibility, modernity, and empathy.

Rosa’s Story, Revisited

Rosa’s rescue this year reminded us why we made that decision in the first place.
Because behind every piece of leather once was someone like her — an individual with a story, a personality, and the right to live freely.

Rosa now lives safely, but millions of others don’t.
And while we can’t save them all, we can choose not to contribute to their suffering.

That’s what being a vegan brand means to us.
It’s not just avoiding animal products — it’s a daily commitment to empathy and coherence, to making choices that align with the world we want to build.

The Environmental Price

Leather isn’t only cruel — it’s also one of the most polluting materials in fashion.
Producing a single pair of leather shoes can require thousands of liters of water and release harmful chemicals into rivers and ecosystems.

The tanning process is responsible for toxic waste that often ends up in low-income communities, creating long-term health and environmental problems.

In contrast, our vegan materials are certified, traceable, and low-impact — often made from waste that would otherwise go unused.
Our goal isn’t perfection — it’s progress, transparency, and constant improvement.

Beyond Materials: A Moral Evolution

As a civilization, we’ve evolved in technology, communication, and design — yet our treatment of animals still reflects a past we should have left behind.

We believe it’s time for fashion to evolve, too.
To move beyond seeing animals as raw materials and start recognizing them as living beings who share this planet with us.

The question isn’t whether vegan materials can match leather’s quality — they already do.
The question is: can we continue justifying suffering for something we can now create without harm?

At NAE, our answer is clear: we can’t, and we won’t.

A Choice That Reflects Who We Are

Every time you choose a pair of NAE shoes, you’re choosing more than style.
You’re choosing a belief — that compassion is strength, and progress is kindness in action.

Our collections are proof that ethical design can be elegant, that durability doesn’t require cruelty, and that small, mindful brands can make a difference.

The real cost of leather is too high.
And the alternative? A world where we walk forward — lighter, kinder, and more aware.

Together Toward Better

We know that change takes time. But every movement begins with a single step.

At NAE Vegan Shoes, we’ll continue walking that path — innovating, questioning, improving, and giving voice to those who can’t speak for themselves.

Because fashion should never be built on suffering.
It should be built on creativity, respect, and hope.