Kind Coats
Here’s some animal-friendly fashion advice from Chloe Jo. Meatless Monday focuses on our plates, but let’s not forget about the animals when we go shopping!
By Vaute Couture
We have all heard the expression “Eat like you give a damn.” But why not dress that way too? A true Glamazon eschews buying new wool, leather, fur, silk, or down, in lieu of eco-compassionate options.
Vegan shoe lines abound, and now the elusive vegan winter coat is easier to find thanks to our lovely friend Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart who has brought us cruelty-free peeps Vaute Couture. This vegan fashion house is a voice for the animals in the fashion industry, pushing towards animal-free fabrics and processes. She spent a year developing the first line of ethical, high style and performance coats- now available online here (for between $370 and $560, now 30% off with code GIRLIEGIRLARMY at checkout!)
Why not just wear “organic” wool? Leanne says, “Sometimes I’m asked why I don’t just use organic wool- well, besides the fact that I don’t believe in using animals for luxury or profit, I also have to mention why I created Vaute Couture- not to be a single conscientious business, but to push the industry towards solutions we can use to eliminate the need for animal fabrics in fashion. Sentient beings don’t fit well into the cost-equations of business because their sentient nature is never part of the equation to begin with- I aim to cut out the risk of cruelty entirely by developing new solutions that don’t involve using animals to begin with.” Side note: Leanne is also a Ford model, MBA drop-out, and plays classical trumpet… so basically your average under achiever.
It’s nice to know that when we support a business like Vaute Couture, we are supporting a completely ethical, locally made, vegan-owned business.
Vaute Couture’s coats not in your budget? Pick up this simple, affordable black jacket from AlternativeOutfitters.com, BB Dakota Golan Black Plush Faux Wool Jacket, comes in at only $62.
By BB Dakota
This affordable and totally chic coat from Lole Women will take you day to night easily. Made from twill bonded fleece, it’s entirely cruelty free and a real find. “Stylish Coat“, $190 @ lolestore.com
By Lole
We love that Merrell merged the classic harbor coat look with the warmth of an insulated winter parka to create the Haven. With Merrell Opti-Warm insulation, a coated shell, and weather-protective ribbed cuffs and collar, you can head to the mountains, or the health store for more green juice, with confidence. Haven Coat, $189 @ Merrell.com
By Merrell
- Posted by Chloe Jo on December 21, 2009 at 5:00 am
-
Tagged as: fashion
Other posts by this author:
Thanks in advance for making compassionate choices, you CRAZY SEXY Glamazons! Tons more coats and cruelty-free fashion tips on girliegirlarmy.com.
xoxo Chloé
There’s one thing I just don’t understand. What about the “faux wool” aka 100% plastic fiber coat that will be rotting in a landfill for a gazillion years. How is that supposed to be eco friendly, or even acceptable for conscious people living on an ever more fragile planet?
Or the so called cruelty free shoes, entirely made of chemical laden plastics? I do not condone cruelty against animals in any way – but I simply don’t understand why it is totally acceptable for a self respecting vegan to walk around in environmentally harmful garb, but bash reclaimed wool, or reclaimed leather, at the same time. I’m sorry, but I just don’t get it. Could someone please explain. Thanks very much.
Nica,
I see where you are coming from, but I think there is a place to meet in between. Although some alternatives may pollute the earth, with a little research I bet you’d find clothing options that are good for the planet and the animals!
I understand your argument and comments Nica and have questioned that myself; however, reclaimed or recycled animal skin or fibers still represent for me the use, exploitation and infliction of suffering upon animals for my own personal need; yes it may be environmentally sound from a recycling perspective but it’s an ethical issue for me when as a vegan I don’t condone explotation of animals in any way; so as Corinne mentioned, I do my research and try to find fabulous ecofriendly gear- even second hand stuff or recycled polyesters and organic cottons and hemp, bamboo and do the best I can. Footwear is difficult but leather footwear is not only exploitive but so chemically treated during tanning and dying that it’s just as toxic and long-lasting in landfills. And it will always scream, “Look! I used to be somebody’s skin!!” to me.
Hi Nica,
I spent 8 months on fabric research alone working on choosing fabrics that were good for the earth too, while also being warm, chic, and obviously my first requirement is vegan. My liner is 100% closed loop zero waste recycled fabric, that’s as eco as you can get. The shell fabric made for us is completely recyclable using the Common Threads Recycling Program- which is the direction eco fabrics should be going in, and our recycled shell is made of recycled fibers too. Plastics get a bad rap- but recycled and recyclable plastics are a future for eco-fabrics.
It’s easy to say “why can’t it be this this this and this” but attempting to make it all of these things, when it hasn’t been done before- is quite a challenge, and I’ve dedicated myself to this challenge- my life savings, my 80 hour weeks on no income, believe me… I’m trying my best. In fact the first fabrics I tested for the line were hemp, organic cotton, and bamboo, but I couldn’t find a solution that was warm enough or affordable enough per coat, and then I discovered recyclable and recycled plastics that were-
In addition- our buttons are tagua nut and vintage deadstock, and production is all done 10 minutes from my apartment in Chicago, on a living wage. Believe me when I say that I am trying my best to make the line as eco as possible, there is no magic wand. I focus on getting us closer to a completely ethical product and away from using animals as many steps at a time as I can. I hope you can understand that.
For the animals + the earth,
Leanne
Thanks you guys, and especially Leanne, for kindly answering my comment.
I wish you all a happy holiday.
I FEEL GUILTY NOW THAT YOU MADE ME REALIZE THAT A
HAMBURGER HAD TO DIE TO MAKE
MY LEATHER JACKET !
MORE HAD TO DIE TO MAKE
MY SHOES . . .
BUT THE BIBLE SAYS : ON THE SEVENTH DAY GOD GAVE MAN
DOMINION OVER ALL CREATURES
AND DRESSED HIS BELOVED IN
HIDES OF ANIMALS .
THANKS FOR MAKING ME
THINK !