Vegan Fashion Chic…Until recently, such a statement could only be found in the pages of a Writer’s guide as an example of an Oxymoron. Vegan ‘leather’ bags were painfully reminiscent of street corner designer knock offs, and shoes resembled collections from the Payless Shoe Store, complete with their distinctly plastic look, smell, and squeak.
Finally (let’s all breathe a collective sigh of relief!) the days when vegans had to settle for second…no third rate designs, too earthy materials and causal wear, are thankfully over.
In 2006 Stella Mc Cartney introduced a vegan friendly line of shoes, handbags and accessories that fused high quality workmanship with synthetic and naturally derived materials.
One does not even have to be a vegan to appreciate the exquisite craftsmanship of Mc Cartney’s line, and her designs bring a healthy dose of appeal to vegan and non vegan fashionistas alike.
Joining the foray into vegan fashion is Natalie Portman and her collaboration with Spanish shoe emporium Te Casan.
Portman, who has been a vegetarian since age 8, noticed a lack of animal friendly (and aesthetically pleasing) products.
Portman not only lent her name to the collection, but took an active involvement in the creation and planning process.
Even more phenomenal is the fact that Portman will donate 100% of her proceeds to various non-profit organizations, with a focus on animal rights and environmental preservation.
Another vegetarian starlet who was dismayed over the lack of trendy choices for animal friendly wear is breakout British pop star Leona Lewis.
Lewis, who has been a vegetarian since the age of 12, and is a self professed animal activist, is reportedly in talks with Sir Phillip Greene to launch her own vegan clothing line at British fashion house Topshop. Lewis, with her fashion forward sensibility, and universal appeal, will undoubtedly continue to breathe appeal into a fashion demographic that, for too long, has been thought of solely as middle aged militants with little or no desire to be ahead of the fashion curve.
Photos courtesy of the Fashion Spot forums.
