Vegan leather, sometimes called plant-based leather, plant leather or bio-based leather, has emerged as a true alternative of excellence to animal leather. Unlike traditional leather sourced from livestock, it is crafted from innovative, plant-based and environmentally conscious materials.

At Ashoka Paris, vegan leather is not our selling argument — it is our starting point. Since 2018, the maison has been among the first in France to work with apple leather. Since its 2024 transmission, it has continued to explore the most demanding materials, chosen as much for their character as for their quality.

What is high-end vegan leather?

High-end vegan leather refers to materials that match — and sometimes surpass — the look and feel of animal leather, without animal exploitation. These alternatives are lighter, more demanding in their conception, and carry a deeply reduced environmental impact. Vegan leather does not refer to a single material, but to a family of plant-based innovations that are reinventing leather goods.

Our materials

UPPEAL™ — apple leather

The signature material of the Ashoka Paris maison since April 2018, UPPEAL™ is a plant-based leather crafted from apple residues sourced from the Italian food industry. The raw material is collected in Bolzano, in northern Italy, then transformed in Florence — where tradition and innovation meet.

At the launch of Ashoka Paris during Veggie World in April 2018, the maison unveiled the very first French handbag made from apple leather: the Eclipse model. A French first.

UPPEAL™ and Apple Skin refer to the same material — in 2023, the manufacturer simply changed the name.

Bamboo leather

Since July 2025, Ashoka Paris has been working with bamboo leather, a plant fibre that combines suppleness, resilience and lightness. For the first time in France, a vegan leather goods maison offers a collection in bamboo.

This material embodies the ongoing exploration of alternatives to animal leather — without compromise on elegance or longevity. It is currently featured on the Mini-Paname Bambou Sand, the Brigitte sand and several small leather goods.

Mylo™ — mycelium leather

Mylo™ is an alternative to animal leather crafted from mycelium, the underground structure of mushrooms. The mycelium is grown in less than two weeks in a vertical farming facility powered entirely by renewable energy.

Composed of 85% mycelium and 15% recycled fibres, Mylo™ has undergone over 5,000 iterations to meet the aesthetic and technical demands of high-end leather. Ashoka Paris is the first French maison to offer pieces in Mylo™.

Bio-Nappa — cereal leather

The Bio-Nappa used for Ashoka sneakers is obtained from bio-polyols derived from non-food, non-GMO cereals, combined with certified textiles — FSC-certified viscose or GRS-certified recycled polyester. PETA-approved, it offers the suppleness and comfort expected of exceptional footwear, in an entirely plant-based material.

Why choose vegan leather?

Choosing vegan leather means embracing leather goods that sacrifice neither beauty nor conviction. It means favouring materials that reduce the impact linked to livestock farming, without giving up anything on elegance or craftsmanship.

At Ashoka Paris, every piece is designed in the capital and crafted by artisans selected for their excellence. Because there is no need to choose between beauty and one's convictions.

Discover our vegan leather creations: vegan bags, vegan sneakers and vegan fur.

To explore all the materials that compose an Ashoka piece — vegan suede, recycled linings, metal hardware — visit our Materials page.