Fur Key or Bag Charm (2010s)

Cellulose and petroleum-based alternatives to animal leather were developed in the late 19th and 20th centuries in the forms of acetate, nylon, acrylic, and polyester. In the 1960s and 70s these alternatives were promoted in response to increasing animal-rights activism and environmental awareness. During the process of tanning leathers and dyeing furs, the many toxic chemicals used frequently make their way into the earth’s water supply. Furthermore, livestock create one-fifth of the world’s greenhouse gases, and an estimated one-third of leather hides produced end up in land fills.² Today, as many consumers are shifting towards sustainability issues, the fashion industry has begun to market its use of real animal hide and skin products as “green” and “ethical” as these products are biodegradable and require less use of chemicals and pesticides than synthetic and many plant-based textiles. The purchase of real animal products is on the rise, particularly with younger consumers.