Real Talk: Why Ann Kurz Still Uses Real Leather (and What We’ve Learned About Vegan Alternatives)
At Ann Kurz, we care deeply about our craftsmanship—and how responsibly it's made. Recently, we've had many clients ask for vegan options. So we dove into the research. What we found was surprising: most vegan “leathers” fall short of their sustainability claims, especially when you peel back the layers—literally. For now, we continue working with high‑quality cow leather, carefully sourced from certified tanneries. But we're not closing the door—we’re still on the lookout for a truly sustainable, high‑performance vegan alternative.
1. The Waterproof Illusion: Real vs Fake Leather
Both real and synthetic leathers are sometimes treated with a PU layer to appear flawless and resist water and scratches—but this comes at a cost.
- Synthetic (PU) leather: The polyurethane coating makes it more water-resistant and scratch-resistant by acting as a barrier. A well-made PU leather can endure daily wear and maintain a sleek, consistent look (boulies.com).
- PU-coated real leather (bicast or split leather): Offers the same benefits—even texture, flawless sheen, and protective qualities—but becomes harder to repair or recycle due to the plastic layer (kcxusa.com).
However, this coating also leads to premature deterioration:
- Synthetic PU leather typically lasts 2–5 years, depending on quality and care, before peeling, cracking, or flaking sets in (boulies.com).
- Genuine fine leather, especially vegetable-tanned, can last decades, developing a unique patina and remaining repairable over time.
2. Maintenance and Durability—A Double-Edged Sword
Both materials offer certain advantages, yet each has its trade-offs:
- PU-coated materials: Easier to clean and resistant to water, but vulnerable to UV damage, peeling, and cracking—especially when layered over a fabric or leather backing (manuel-dreesmann.com).
- Real leather (even if PU-coated): Maintains structural integrity longer, can be conditioned, cleaned, and healed, and becomes more characterful with time. PU coatings, however, reduce breathability and complicate restoration.
3. Why We Still Choose Real Leather—for Now
At Ann Kurz, we value materials that:
- Endure—lasting years or lifetimes, not seasons.
- Improve with age, not degrade.
- Can be repaired, conditioned, restored.
- Offer authentic texture and patina, not artificial perfection.
Most PU-coated vegan alternatives get the 'flawless' look but lack the lasting quality, sustainability, and honest storytelling we stand behind.
4. Our Open Call to Innovators
We want to adopt a plant-based, high-performance material that meets our standards: durable, plastic-free, truly eco-friendly, and ethically traceable. If you're working on such an innovation—let’s connect.
Conclusion
Sustainability isn’t just about labels. Real leather, responsibly sourced, remains our best choice for durability and honesty—until a better alternative truly proves itself.