A question of language – and the values behind it
A customer recently wrote to us: "Is this actually fake leather?"
A fair question. But also one that shows how deeply a single word has shaped how we think about vegan materials.
Faux leather. A word that immediately suggests an imitation – something pretending to be something else.
At Plant Inside, we deliberately don't use it. Here's why that's more than just wordplay.
The Short Version: The Difference in One Sentence
"Faux" is French for "false" or "fake" – the word itself defines a material by what it is not. "Vegan," or a specific material name like Viridis®, defines a material by what it is.
A small linguistic difference. A bigger question of values.
What Does "Faux Leather" Actually Mean?
The word "faux" comes from French and literally means "false" or "artificial." In fashion, the term has been used for decades to describe materials designed to imitate real leather – usually PU or PVC.
The problem: this language automatically positions animal leather as the "original" and everything else as an inferior copy. Even if the substitute material is plant-based, durable and carefully made, the word "faux" turns it into an imitation – never a material in its own right.
That's not a neutral description. It's a hierarchy hidden inside a single word.
Vegan Leather vs. Faux Leather vs. Eco Leather – What's the Difference?
Three terms often used interchangeably in online shops – but they mean different things:
|
Term |
What it suggests |
What it actually means |
|
Faux Leather |
An imitation, a copy of "real" leather |
Usually PU or PVC – no claim about origin or sustainability |
|
Eco Leather |
Automatically environmentally friendly |
Often unregulated – can also be PU or PVC with a marginally altered process |
|
Vegan Leather |
Free from animal-derived materials |
Accurate, but unspecific – says nothing about material, origin or environmental impact |
None of these three terms is legally protected. That means any brand can use them, regardless of the actual material behind the label.
Which is exactly why none of them is enough on its own. If you genuinely want to know what's in a product, you need to ask for the specific material name – not the category.
🌱 Did you know? Even on specialised marketplaces for sustainable and handmade products like Etsy, "Vegan Leather" still isn't an official selectable material tag — but "Faux Leather" is. It shows that even in conscious selling environments, the old language of imitation is still deeply embedded in the system, while more precise terms have yet to find their place. (Source: Etsy material filter, as of 2026)
Why Language Matters in Conscious Fashion
Words shape expectations. And expectations shape how a product is perceived – before it's even been touched.
When a material is introduced as an "imitation," every judgement that follows starts at a disadvantage. The question becomes, almost unconsciously: "How close does it get to the original?" – instead of: "What can this material achieve on its own terms?"
That's not a small nuance. It affects:
- how customers judge quality – before they've even held the material
- how brands talk about their own products – with pride, or with justification
- how an entire industry positions itself – as an alternative, or as its own path
Materials like Viridis® or Washpapa® aren't copies of something else. They're materials in their own right, with their own properties, their own production process, their own story.
How Plant Inside Talks About Materials
We call our materials by name.
Viridis® – plant-based leather from European corn and wheat, made in Italy. Certified by Animal Free by LAV, OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and FSC®.
Washpapa® – washable kraft paper from Germany, certified by OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and FSC®.
Vegea® – plant-based leather made from grape pomace, developed in Milan, certified by REACH, Vegan and Global Recycled Standard.
None of these materials is described as "faux" by us. Not for marketing reasons – simply because it wouldn't be accurate. These materials don't imitate anything. They are what they are.
Learn more about the properties and certifications of these materials in our article What Is Vegan Leather?
Does That Mean "Vegan Leather" Is the Only Correct Term?
Not quite – and that's worth understanding.
"Vegan leather" is accurate, but incomplete. It only tells you one thing: no animal-derived material. It says nothing about sustainability, origin or quality – as we've explained in detail in our article Vegan Fashion Is Not Automatically Sustainable.
The most honest path forward isn't a new umbrella term – it's specificity. The material name itself. Viridis®. Washpapa®. Vegea®. Names that mean something, instead of categories that explain everything and nothing at once.
FAQ
Is "vegan leather" the same as "faux leather"?
Not quite. "Vegan leather" refers to the absence of animal-derived materials. "Faux leather" additionally suggests that the material is an imitation of real leather – a linguistic hierarchy that many conscious brands deliberately avoid.
Why doesn't Plant Inside just call its materials "faux leather"?
Because our materials, like Viridis® or Washpapa®, aren't copies of animal leather. They're standalone, plant-based materials with their own properties – not imitations.
Is "eco leather" a trustworthy term?
Not automatically. The term isn't legally protected and is often used for materials that are barely more sustainable than standard PU. What matters is the specific material name and its certifications – not the label "eco."
What terms should I look for when buying vegan products?
Look for the specific material name (e.g. Viridis®, Washpapa®, Piñatex) rather than generic categories like "vegan leather" or "eco leather." Specific names can be researched and verified – categories can't.
Does this choice of words actually matter, or is it just semantics?
Language shapes expectations. When a material is labelled an "imitation," it gets measured against someone else's standard instead of its own merits. That shapes how consumers perceive quality – long before they ever touch the material.
Words Are Never Neutral
"Faux leather" isn't an incorrect term. But it's a term with a built-in hierarchy.
At Plant Inside, we believe materials developed with care – from corn, from grapes, from recycled paper – deserve better than constantly standing in the shadow of an "original" they never set out to be.
That's why we call our materials by name.
Not because it sounds better. Because it's true.
Discover the materials themselves in our vegan bag collection.
Updated: June 2026