#KNOW YOURSTUFF

Exploring leather vs vegan alternatives

#KNOWYOURSTUFF 

Ever wonder about the impact of your clothes on the planet and wish you knew more? #KnowYourStuff dives deep into the origins of materials, how they are made and the impact they can have.  #KnowYourStuff empowers you to uncover the truth behind the materials found in your everyday footwear or clothing, helping you make choices that are right for you. It's about becoming informed and empowered to align your choices with your values. 

READY TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT LEATHER AND ITS ALTERNATIVES?

It's a complex debate, but Aishwarya is here to help you #KnowYourStuff. This eye-opening 7-part series  explores leather's history and future, presents expert views on the topic, and offers a behind-the-scenes look at how PUMA uses leather and alternatives to leather in its products. Get ready for a comprehensive journey through the leather and its alternatives.

Check out the episodes:

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT OUR EPISODES

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GET TO READY TO #KNOWYOURSTUFF 

 

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 1:

 

Have you ever considered the environmental or social impact of the different materials found in your wardrobe? And if you had the facts, would you choose differently? Introducing #KnowYourStuff - a content series created to educate. Join Aishwarya Sharma, one of PUMAs Voices of a RE:GENERATION on her mission to unpack one of today’s most talked about material debates: Leather vs. Vegan Leather.

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LEATHER: THE PROS AND CONS

 

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 2:

 

This discussion covers the complex interplay between sustainability, ethics, and industry practices in leather production. Discussing the topic first-hand with experts from PUMA and PETA, Aishwarya unpacks the hard facts, advantages, and disadvantages of leather. She also explores environmental concerns, animal welfare and examines how leather can be a by-product of the beef industry.  

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PUMA EVER EVOLVING MATERIALS 

 

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 3:

 

At PUMA Headquarters, Aishwarya explores the evolution of PUMA’s material use in PUMA's archives with Romain Girard, Vice President of Innovation, and Ulrich Planer, Lead PUMA Archive. They discuss the use of leather in PUMA's footwear and some of the alternatives to leather like K-BETTER™, a vegan alternative replacing kangaroo leather. 

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THE CHEMICALS OF LEATHER

 

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 4: LIVE ON OCTOBER 11TH

 

Aishwarya visits one of PUMA's core leather suppliers, to explore leather production first-hand. She learns about leather tanning and the role of chemicals used in the tanning process. Aishwarya also investigates efforts to improve these processes for better environmental outcomes, such as the innovative Zeology technology. 

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WHAT ABOUT THE WATER
 

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 5: LIVE ON OCTOBER 14TH

 

Water is used to clean and treat hides during the leather tanning process. Aishwarya has a question – what happens to the wastewater at the end of the process? Aishwarya spends time at a leather tannery water treatment plant and discovers what happens to the wastewater before it is released.  

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LEATHER AND ITS ALTERNATIVES

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 6: LIVE ON OCTOBER 16TH


Aishwarya returns to PUMA to speak with Romain Girard, Vice President of Innovation, about leather alternatives. What's on the horizon? What's scalable? And is a 100% plastic shoe really a bad thing? Together, they explore PUMA's experiments and prototypes, including materials derived from pineapples, mushrooms, and olives. 

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DO YOU #KNOWYOURSTUFF?

 

 

 

 

 

EPISODE 7: LIVE ON OCTOBER 18TH

 

So, what do we know now? Aishwarya has explored the pros and cons of leather, along with environmental impacts, its role as a by-product, animal welfare, and more sustainable practices. And she's discovered various alternatives, from plant-based to synthetic options. Now, it's your turn to apply this knowledge. Investigate materials in your wardrobe and share your findings using the hashtag #KnowYourStuff. Remember, being informed empowers you to make choices aligned with your values. 

MORE ABOUT AISHWARYA

AISHWARYA SHARMA Wenig

AISHWARYA SHARMA

FASHION ACTIVIST & GLOBAL GOALS AMBASSADOR

Aishwarya is recognised as India’s first fashion activist and is part of PUMAS Voices of a RE:GENERATION. She is a passionate sustainability and climate advocate. Her content focuses on harnessing the power of social & digital media to highlight social injustices in the world today from the lens of fashion, primarily. She works with numerous NGOs & civil society organisations and work to bridge the gap between brands and society at large.

“THE TOPIC OF LEATHER AND VEGAN LEATHER IS COMPLICATED. THERE ARE STRONG POINTS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE DEBATE SO IT'S CRUCIAL FOR CONSUMERS TO BE AWARE OF THE PULL PICTURE IN ORDER TO MAKE THEIR OWN INFORMED CHOICES WHEN DECIDING WHAT MATERIALS THEY CONSIDER AS SUSTAINABLE." 

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