Does Louis Vuitton Use Animal Skin?

Many brands who venture into luxury fashion make use of animal skin to design their products mostly because of their high-quality nature and durability. 

Brands like Louis Vuitton who pay attention to the extravaganza of this luxury screaming have had their ethics questioned over the use of animal skin to make their goods at the detriment of animal welfare. But does Louis Vuitton use animal skin?

The short answer is Yes, most Louis Vuitton bags are made from real animal skins such as cowhide, boa, crocodile, and lambskin. Some of their products are even made using camel skin. However, LV is not the only brand obtaining and using exotic skin for their bags and purses.

Meanwhile, not all LV handbags or purses are made with animal skin. Some feature canvas, and leather in the handles and trims. 

Is Louis Vuitton Cruelty-Free?

It is important to explicitly state that Louis Vuitton as a brand does not partake in animal cruelty. All they do is establish business relationships with sources that supply these animal skin for production.

Many of these sources obtain these skins by engaging in the mistreatment of animals. In several publications, the position of the Italian company is that all animals used for their products are humanely farmed. Whereas, this is in contrast with the findings of PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) on how brands like LV source the animal skin they use for their bags.

How does Louis Vuitton source animal skin?

According to Louis Vuitton, the majority of the crocodile leather used for their bags and purses is sourced from farms that are recognized by the world’s first certification authority for crocodile leather – LVMH Crocodilians Standard. 

By this standard, it insinuates that the brand, while sourcing these leather, is concerned with the conservation of the species and respect for the local communities, animal welfare throughout the entire lifespan of the animal, and the working conditions for employees 

However, the certification from LVMH for Louis Vuitton only accounts for the process involved in sourcing 80 per cent of their crocodile leather sources, not all. So there could be an indication of animal cruelty unreported.

A clear indication of this is the PETA 2020 report that disclosed a video about a crocodile farm in Vietnam that provides crocodile leather for many companies including LVMH and there were filthy living conditions, while some are exposed to aggressive behaviour, disease, and unhygienic conditions.

It exact details of the process of how LV gets their animal skin leather are still unclear, but what many similar giant brands do is that they electrocute any animal that is ready to be slaughtered for skin extraction. Based on several reports from PETA research, the slaughter is usually slow and painful.

Some of these farm sources that supply fashion brands can be as inhumane as skinning the crocodiles and other species while they are alive which can and should be categorized as undue torture.

This process is not always told openly. After all, the result is a luxurious-looking handbag or purse that will make you splurge thousands of dollars. Since the process of sourcing animal skin translates to a threat to animal welfare, many companies are now gravitating away from using animal products to manufacture their merchandise. 

These set of brands have now become more eco-friendly and protective of nature instead of relying on fur or animal skin to preach luxury or durability. Is this the same trend for Louis Vuitton today? 

Recent efforts made by Louis Vuitton toward cruelty-free

The opinion that LV is a cruelty-free company may be subjective, but it is worthy of note that the company has joined several other brands in going eco-friendly to satisfy consumers who prefer to make a more conscious buying choice.

One of the manifestations of this move was the launching of the Charlie shoe which was the very first vegan leather product of Louis Vuitton. The unisex footwear was made with corn-based leather at the upper and other sustainable and eco-friendly materials, available in mid and high-tops.

Aside from that, there have been press release and leaps made by the company that points to the decision of the company of reducing the inhumane treatment of the animals used for their products.

However, this is not enough. On the part of buyers, there needs to be a sensitization that brands like Louis Vuitton will not stop producing animal skin products if the demand for these products continues to rise.

The scary side to this is that most of these companies are not transparent with the process in which they source the animal skin. They would prefer to say they are in business with sources who carry out the treatment.

Does Louis Vuitton use real gold?

Relative to the materials used in making LV bags, people who are buying Louis Vuitton for the first often ask whether the gold accessories on their bags are real or not. Being a luxurious brand, Authentic Louis Vuitton bags use brass and real gold in their hardware. This is to ensure they do not deteriorate over a long period and remain shiny. One way to know a knock-off LV bag is when the hardware is made with cheap gold-painted plastics

Most fashion lovers tend to identify leather, exotic skins, and fur with high-end luxury, so there is some pressure on giant brands like Louis Vuitton to satisfy this demographic.

However, light has been beamed on the hidden practices and cruelties that animals face during the process of skin sourcing by these fashion powerhouse. 

At this moment, LV still uses animal skin to produce some of their bags. Since the awareness trend is rapidly encouraging companies to go vegan, more pressure will be on brands like Louis Vuitton to follow suit.

Does Dior use animal skin?

Dior has a published statement that shows the company’s stance on the use of animal skin used for products. Although the brand still uses fur, down, leather, wool, exotic animal skin, and exotic animal hair for some of its goods, Dior still stands on the position of minimising animal suffering.

Does Chanel use real animal skin?

No. Chanel has long stopped the use of exotic animal skins, like snakes, crocodiles, lizards and stingrays to make their bags and purses and other goods. The luxury fashion house is the first to make this move, setting the pace for others to follow. 

However, upon the announcement of this, at the time, there were indications by the brand’s designer, Karl Lagerfeld, that the decision was an independent one.

Does Coach use real leather?

Yes. All authentic Coach bags are made with real leather that is high in quality. The quality of the Coach leather bag is one of the things you should look out for when authenticating the bag you are about to buy.

Most replicas or fake Coach are made with leather that feels overly smooth, plastic-y, and seems as though it has been made of canvas.

Most fashion lovers tend to identify leather, exotic skins, and fur with high-end luxury, so there is some pressure on giant brands like Louis Vuitton to satisfy this demographic.

However, light has been beamed on the hidden practices and cruelties that animals face during the process of skin sourcing by these fashion powerhouse.  At this moment, LV still uses animal skin to produce some of their bags. Since the awareness trend is rapidly encouraging companies to go vegan, more pressure will be on brands like Louis Vuitton to follow suit.

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