A Personal Reflection on Leather and Sustainability
I have been vegan for many years, yet our Dolfie collections include leather shoes—a reality that has always posed a profound moral dilemma for me. Naturally, we often receive questions about how I can reconcile being vegan with working with leather.
My answer, which may not resonate with everyone, is that as long as people continue to consume meat, leather remains a byproduct of the food industry. All the leather we use comes from this source, giving it a second life rather than allowing it to go to waste. Additionally, in my humble opinion, leather remains one of the most durable, high-quality materials for footwear, significantly extending our products’ lifespan and helping reduce overconsumption.
Many brands proudly promote vegan alternatives made from apples, grapes, cactus, corn, and other plant-based sources. While these innovations are exciting, they often rely on plastic components (such as polyurethane) to achieve durability. As we all know, plastic pollution is one of the greatest threats to our environment and wildlife.
At Dolfie, we remain committed to responsible and ethical practices, continuously researching non-toxic, sustainable materials that can genuinely replace animal leather without compromising quality. Our Save the Ocean project exemplifies this commitment, turning ocean-collected plastic into fabric and giving waste new life.
We believe sustainability is about making conscious choices and using resources responsibly. Thank you for supporting us on this journey toward a more ethical and environmentally friendly future.
– Bárbara de Assis, Co-founder of Dolfie