Leather has been a staple of human fashion for millennia, but the fashion industry is increasingly embracing more sustainable alternatives. Traditional leather comes mainly from cows, and cattle farming is linked to deforestation, habitat loss and land degradation. The tanning process is polluting and can use up to 50,000 liters (13,209 gallons) of water for each ton of raw animal hides. Vegan and lab-grown leathers are on the rise, but one US company is supplying fashion houses with the real