The leather industry is being revolutionised by new materials and finishes, as innovation disrupts its very essence in this era of climate change.
Bio-based materials continue to drive innovation, but so is technology, creating previously unimagined finishes and textures. Other alternatives to bovine leather are getting noticed, too, like leathers created from invasive species, which revive pockets of ecosystems around the planet.
This trend outlook for 2023 is compiled by Inversa Leathers, a company founded in 2020 with a mission to develop materials that solve an environmental crisis to protect biodiversity.
Padded
Padded leather, already championed by luxury houses like Bottega Veneta, will be a key look for early 2023.
Texture
As flat lengths of leather make their way out of the limelight, textured statements using latest innovative technologies, will be the next talked about leather trend.
Eco-friendly leather alternatives
From coffee, mushrooms and seaweed to fish and python invasive species, there is now a plethora of eco-friendly materials that designers are using and customers are demanding.
Worn out / pull up finish
As an increasing number of consumers embrace the height of second-hand clothing cool, designers draw inspiration from the ‘worn out’ effect, creating distressed leather surfaces and plenty of beautiful pull up finishing.
Sea skin
Vacation themes continue to take us on a journey in the fashion scene so the fantasy of embodying a mermaid has never been so enticing. Sea skin leather effects and sustainable fish skin leather will feature in accessories and outerwear, creating a sleek look that’s coveted by all.
Regenerative leather
Regenerative invasive leather pioneered by INVERSA Leathers is leading the way for the future of the leather industry. “Sustainable” as a term has become diluted as “greenwashing” has diminished the value of the word and weight of impact needed to use the term. Regenerative textiles ensure the brand is going beyond sustainable and is proactively doing good for the planet. This will become the new talked about topic in 2023.
Vegetable tanned vibrant and natural dyes
Vegetable tanned leathers will start replacing hazardous chrome-tanned skins, finished with naturally vibrant dyes to create the next wave of eco-friendly and eye-catching leather looks.
Metallic and pearlized
Leather is a timeless textile but the multitude of finishes it can take keeps the trends rolling, and in 2023 metallic and pearlized finishes will dominate.
Exotic prints
Fashion has started to reference the contours and textures from raw, natural earth, and will continue to do so in 2023. A variety of animal prints that live in gritty earth such as a python will be showcased in garments and accessories made in natural fibres. As consumers expand their knowledge in sustainable textiles, this trend can overlap with a trend of sourcing regenerative exotic leathers.
Wet look (gloss)
The wet look trend has made a continuous come back since the 80s, reinterpreted in countless ways using textiles to create illusions. Sensual and figure hugging, this trend embraces the beauty of the human body in all shapes and sizes which supports the industry’s push to be completely diverse in representation. This year, leather will take on the wet look using gloss finishes.
Amazing facts of leather
1. Soft and Supple Leather – As technology continues to evolve, leather will become softer and more comfortable than ever before.
2. Natural Leather – More and more people are turning to natural materials, including leather. Expect to see more vegetable-tanned leather and leather that is colored naturally without the use of chemicals.
3. Textured Leather – Textured leather will become increasingly popular, with embossed and distressed looks that add a unique touch to fashion and accessories.
4. Sustainable Leather – Sustainability is a major trend in fashion, and leather is no exception. Look for more leathers made from organic, recycled, and biodegradable materials.
5. Colorful Leather – Leather will move away from its classic black, brown, and tan colors, and embrace bolder hues, such as blues, greens, and pinks.
6. Metallic Leather – Metallic leathers will become increasingly popular, featuring a range of metallic colors and finishes.
7. Laser Etched Leather – Laser etching will become a popular way to add detail and texture to leather goods.
