# Cruelty-Free Footwear Collections In Addition to Stylish Bags, Matt and Nat Now Makes Vegan Shoes By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2016-03-22 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vegan-shoes References: [clearlyveg](https://www.clearlyveg.com/blog/2016/03/21/new-vegan-shoe-line-launched-matt-nat) & [mattandnat](http://mattandnat.com/shop/collections/shoes) Matt and Nat is a brand that's made a name for itself by producing an assortment of [bags, wallets and accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/espe-1) of premium vegan leather—just recently, the Canadian brand unveiled its [vegan shoe collection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ripple-shoe). The shoes are made with sustainable materials that serve to complement the many other accessories that are produced. The three main styles include: sandals, sneakers and oxfords that come in multiple colorways, as well as shapes and sizes for both men and women. The release of this cruelty-free footwear collection is in line with a movement where many companies, designers and consumers are rejecting the use of animal-based materials. As an alternative [synthetic materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/casetify-bioveg-collection) are on the rise and are being branded as more Earth-conscious with labels like "vegan leather." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.2/10 - Popularity: 57% | Activity: 60% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Shoes](https://www.trendhunter.com/shoes) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Vegan Leather Footwear:** The rise in popularity of cruelty-free footwear collections made with sustainable, synthetic materials presents an opportunity for innovative designs in both casual and formal styles. - **Sustainable Fashion Accessories:** The trend of environmentally conscious materials in footwear collections can be extended to other fashion accessories such as belts, watches, and jewelry. - **Animal-free Fashion:** The growing movement towards animal-free fashion creates opportunities for new innovative materials and manufacturing processes, reducing harm on animal lives and the environment. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Footwear Industry:** Industry professionals in footwear manufacturing can explore the use of sustainable materials for vegan leather footwear collections, and offer a wider range of sizes and styles to meet growing demand. - **Fashion Accessories Industry:** The fashion accessories industry can create a new line of environmentally friendly products to go along with the vegan leather footwear collection, such as belts, wallets, and phone cases. - **Animal-free Products Industry:** The increase in demand for animal-free products creates opportunities for innovative materials, production methods and research into synthetic materials replacing animal-based ones, including for fashion products of all types. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [PETA-Approved Leather Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/biodegradable-leather-alternative.md) - [Eco-Friendly Sneaker Constructions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/melissa-1.md) - [Vegan Celebrity-Inspired Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nicki-minaj-2.md) - [Vegan Leather Collection Launches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fw25-vegan-leather.md) - [Chic Ballet Mesh Flats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dreaming-ballet-mesh-flats.md) - [Eco Cactus Leather Sneakers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mercer-rerun-sneaker.md) - [Plastic-Free Circular Bags](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stella-mccartney-3.md) - [Comforting Vegan Handbag Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/espe-1.md) - [Bohemian Accessory Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/call-it-spring-raffia-and-cork.md)