Feeling good in my own skin! Decoding the (faux) leather trend

Feeling good in my own skin!

This season’s trend is all about textures!
And the one leading the pack? Leather, or rather, leather that isn’t really leather. Regenerated leather, recycled leather… what used to be more crudely called faux leather. Ecological awareness and incredible technological advances have changed the game, making the illusion now absolutely flawless. Today, it’s nearly impossible to tell real leather from the “fake.” In fact, many of our favorite pieces this season are made from regenerated or faux leather, when they’re not faux fur, which, if you follow the thread (or should we say, the hide?), is still imitation skin, and therefore, fake leather. Case closed.

Recycled leather, a demonstration

The star of the season? Recycled leather.
Yes, believe it or not, leather can be recycled! Recycled leather is a clever material born from a simple yet brilliant idea: reclaiming leather scraps and offcuts that were once destined for the trash. These fragments are ground up and mixed with natural rubber (that famous latex) to form a soft, malleable paste. It’s then spread out, dried, rolled, and voilà: a brand-new sheet of material, ready to be dyed and transformed. The result? Fewer resources used, less waste, and a new-generation leather. Who says you can’t have it all?

We’re obsessed with this black strapless dress, the Colleen Dress by Anine Bing, which perfectly embodies conscious luxury, just like its designer: modern, committed, and always in tune with the times.

The look delivers everything: the subtle shine of leather, the supple feel of a contemporary fabric, and that “real leather” sensation we once thought belonged only to vintage jackets. Here, it’s all about reborn scraps and revalued fragments, meaning less water, less waste, and more style. The off-shoulder bustier, the oversized bow at the neckline, the discreet zip at the back, every detail asserts a bold statement: “I’m beautiful, I’m committed, and I made no compromises.” Recycled leather is no longer the cheap substitute of yesterday’s “faux.” It’s taken center stage, and this dress proves it with flair.

Faux leather, real style

Faux leather, also known as vegan leather, is making its mark as the “it” material of the season, and not just for its eco credentials: style-wise, it’s a winner too. Mostly made from polyurethane (63%, for instance, in the Karima shirt by Isabel Marant Étoile), this so-called “vegan leather” blends cutting-edge technology with a sleek, modern-chic aesthetic.
Forget the old “pleather”, this new generation flirts dangerously close to the real thing. The grain is there, the subtle shine, the perfect structure: durable, smooth, uncompromising. Luxury fashion houses are embracing it, effortlessly weaving it into their rock-glam silhouettes (the Karima shirt is proof enough, and so is the Kelvina pant). You too can make faux leather the star of your wardrobe: eco-friendly, high-tech, and seriously stylish.

Faux Shearling: Be ewe, be you.

The phenomenon is real: faux shearling has become absolutely essential, and irresistibly chic. Take, for example, one of the season’s most covetable pieces: the Clemencia vest by Isabel Marant Étoile in taupe, a cropped, sleeveless cut with embroidered detailing, and above all, a 100% polyurethane outer material. The result? Simply stunning. You’d swear it had the softness and plush volume of genuine shearling. Here, the “sheep” effect is purely visual and tactile illusion, yet the texture, the fluff, and the structure are all there. The outcome: a piece that embodies luxury, boldness, and texture, while being entirely plant-based. High-tech and ultra-stylish, faux shearling has become the ace up your sartorial sleeve, offering strong texture, confident attitude, and uncompromising style.