With companies such as Adidas exploiting animals for fashion, whatever is a vegan fashionista to do? Get her (and his) sneakers from companies with a conscience, sure. But where to find them?
In light of what I learned about Adidas yesterday—and other footwear manufacturers who make their wares from slaughtered animals—I went on a mission to find some cool casual shoes that were made without harming any cow, or kangaroo, in the process.
Here’s what I dug up:
• Blackspot Shoes (V1 style below) are marketed as the world’s most ethical. What makes them so? Well, the V2 hightop style features a sole made from recycled tyres, while the upper on every style is made from hemp. They’re also made in a union shop in Europe, so no humans exploited either. You can order your very own pair, for around $US75, from the super hip site Adbusters.
• Komodo’s Free Tibet sneakers (below) are ethically made, and are also shoes that keep on giving. Twenty percent from the sale of each pair goes toward the campaign that calls for an end to Chinese occupation of Tibet, and for improved human rights in the troubled region. Get them online from Hippyshopper.com for around 40 (UK pounds).
• Ethletic high top sneakers (below) are made from 100 percent fair trade certified organic cotton canvas upper and durable rubber sole. The sole is produced with natural latex, which they say is tapped from a tree in a well managed and growing forest. All dyes are PCP and AZO free, which I guess means no icky chemicals. Relive your inner Grease for around $US56.
• While I prefer to steer clear of companies who use animal parts in any of their products, it’s still nice to see mainstream companies such as Saucony producing a shoes for us animal-free folks. This shoe is the Vegan Jazz Sneaker, a running shoe for him or her. Check out your local Saucony supplier.
Know of any other ethical footwear companies doing their bit for a greener world? Feel free to share below!
I’m affirming to the universe that these gorgeous vegan shoes from Olsen Haus will appear under my Christmas tree this year. Or at least I’ll drop some really big hints in the direction of some key family members…
Blondie 100% Vegan Faux Suede, $265 USD
Balance 100% Vegan Faux Suede Heel $205 USD
When I became vegan, it of course meant it was time to clean out the closet and donate any leather, wool and silk items to charity. I proudly separated by wardrobe into two piles: the kind and the unkind.
Before long, I noticed that I’d more than halved my wardrobe. Gone were my sexy leather boots, my vintage silk scarf and even my warm woolly socks. This (as any fashion-loving gal would agree) is quite the predicament when one of my favourite phrases is “ugh, I have nothing to wear!”.
After much deliberation about what to do now I absolutely had nothing to wear, I came to a conclusion: donate at least 90 per cent of the cruel items to charity. The remaining 10 per cent stayed in my wardrobe, and then, when I would buy a new vegan piece, I would donate one of the old items.
Until my wardrobe became completely vegan, I made sure I wore any leather or wool item consciously, thinking about the animal and what it gave (ie its life) to make me warm.
This is my point: when you choose to lead a vegan lifestyle, it’s important to remember to be kind to yourself in the process—rather than beating yourself up because you couldn’t part with a pair of 1960s suede cowboy boots given to you by your late dear grandmother.
This also extends beyond the wardrobe. While I’m extremely strict about what I put into my mouth, I’m also kind to myself if I make a mistake. There have been times when I’ve found out there was indeed a fish sauce in the green curry, when there wasn’t meant to be. I consciously acknowledge it, and move on.
As for my wardrobe, I’m now eye-ing off this eco-fabulous coat from Vaute Couture, a hot vegan fashion brand that specialises in coats. I’m pretty sure I need a new tee too…
I love shoes. A girl can never have enough. I dream of building a wardrobe solely (pardon pun) dedicated to glam high heels, sweet ballet slippers, rock star boots and flip flops to flip over. A shoe heaven, if you will.
Going vegan of course not only changed my diet, but my wardrobe. Now this presents quite the challenge to any girl (or guy) who has a love affair with footwear. But a challenge, I believe, is merely an opportunity in disguise.
Once I started looking, I discovered a world of shoes that were created without killing another creature. Celebs such as Natalie Portman, Stella McCartney and Pamela Anderson have done great fashion deeds, pleasing vegans the world over with pretty pumps and other stylish goodies.
So fashionable are many of the vegan footwear options, that the Jewish community are following in our footsteps and stocking up on brands such as Moo Shoes, Olsen Haus (released by an ex-Calvin Klein and Nine West designer) and NoVacas.
A story today in Jewish rag, The Tablet, sings the praises of these shoe designers who are, for the first time, allowing them too to step out in style with their conscience fully in tact—and not a pair of Crocs in sight.
Clockwise from top left: Vegan Tahoe Blue slip-on and Vegan Wrap Boot from Toms, Swell Shoe from Olsen Haus, Olivia pump from Novacas, Stella McCartney animal print ankle boots (as seen in The Tablet).
Hot fashion find of the day? The ultra-luxe, super sustainable Vegan Queen range of handbags. While some vegan fashion may leave you feeling like a grandma dressed for church, this forward-thinking company knows how to please the most animal-friendly of fashionistas.
Materials used in their collections are natural, organic, non-toxic and recycled. Not an animal skin in sight.
Go shopping at www.veganqueen.com. See you there!
