I am new here and new to the idea of being a vegan. I had heard of it and had friends who were vegan for various reasons. I love cheese (even though I am lactose intolerant) and salmon so I had never considered it. Yesterday I found a PeTA website by accident (where I spent hours watching and reading) and am now reconsidering my diet and my wardrobe. Now I am considering being a vegan. Besides the food habits I have a fashion habit. I studied fashion design for 5 years and am in the process of finding a job in the fashion industry. This requires a high level of style the most current of everything, plus I have a shoe problem. I have tons and tons of shoes. I also love my wool sweaters, and cashmere. What would I wear if I were to become a vegan. Where can a person get high fashion vegan clothes that cost less than Stella McCartney. Or even other designers who are vegan. Is it un vegan to work for a company that makes wool sweaters or silk dresses if I don't wear them? Who makes amazingingly fabulous, beautiful, vegan shoes? What does Alicia Silverstone wear when she goes out? Even Target's shoes are mostly leather. I know this might sound a little vain, but as fashion is my "career" it is going to play a huge part in my vegan decision. I can't afford to starat my own vegan fashion company. Please help with suggestions, I can't sleep at night. :sweat:

-cosmo

As far as your concerns about being vegan, my interpretation is that you can work for a company that produces non-vegan clothes and be vegan, but why would you want to? Also, continue wearing your favorite clothes until you naturally feel it's time to give them away or sell them on consignment, whatever it is you do. Keeping them causes no additional harm, while throwing them out only creates waste. As to your other options:

http://www.satyamag.com/feb03/vegshoes.html

I know there are other designers besides Stella, but it's a small group (i.e., hard to find, and I forget the name of the other "moderately" prominent designer I'd heard about). That said, there's lots of clothes out there that didn't come from the exploitation of animals. You simply have to take the time to get to know them, read labels, etc. Where (wear, ha-ah) do you live?

MooShoes in NY is relatively reasonable, and has a website (http://www.mooshoes.com) to sell their (very cool) vegan wares (nice pun), like a bunch of great shoes and some jackets. Payless sells some ugly shoes, but some of them are okay, and a lot of them are leather-free. All of them are inexpensive.

99x is another NY source that offers catalog ordering: http://99x.citysearch.com/ (also has some jackets and belts)

As a guy who works freelance, I wear a lot of jeans and cotton shirts, so I guess I'm pretty easy. For designer-style threads (especially for going out), try the following sites (including some great sites based overseas):

http://host.smcserver2.com/cgi-bin/ws20/ws20_02573/main/viewitems.cgi?cat_id=5YNZZNCVK0&in_store=&cust_id=1064002889&item_id=U0218&cust_cat_index=1&cust_cat=Womens
https://secure2.nexternal.com/shared/StoreFront/default.asp?CS=differentd&BusType=BtoC&Count1=822994410&Count2=740134835&Target=products%2Easp&CategoryID=1
http://scenester.com/otsu/about.html
http://www.veganwares.com/
http://www.usedrubberusa.com/
http://www.ethicalwares.com/accessories.htm
http://www.vegetarian-shoes.co.uk/
http://www.veganstore.co.uk/
http://www.viavegan.com/english.htm
http://www.freerangers.co.uk/
http://www.ekoblissitalia.com/ (a nice site highlighting decorative watches available from Italian vegan designer Cinzia Baroni)

I don't personally advocate fake fur (sends the wrong signal, I think), but you can find a few options here:

http://fabulousfurs.com//index.asp?

A cool material you can use for your own designs, maybe:

http://www.loricasud.com

Also, look for pleather designs from Prada, Moschino, Laura Biagiotti and Versace, if those are available where you live and in your price range.

For "new" vegans I always advice to keep what you got and when you buy new stuff or wear it out, that you then buy vegan items.

on the shoes, there is a australian company that makes terrific shoes, even makes them as you want them.

Working for a company that uses wool etc....it depends on why you become vegan, it won't make you less vegan but it might get disturbing for you after a couple of years.

Being vegan is about avoiding exploitation of animals.
Becoming vegan is a process or a road you follow.
(depending on your reasons for it)

You can't avoid "everything", but with the products available nowadays the standard is higher than before.

What are your reasons for wanting to be a vegan ?

Hi Cosmoblue, I love your name :)

There was an article recently in the NY Times about Alicia Silverstone and her vegan wardrobe on her new show. I have the link here, but unfortunately you'd have to pay for the article. It was free to read when it first came out, but I guess they charge for archived stuff.
http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=F50D1EF73B540C7A8DDDA10894DB4044 82
If I recall correctly (someone correct me if I'm wrong), the article said that she does wear some leather shoes and wool suits, as long as they are vintage.
I was also told that in the last issue of People magazine (the one with Sigfried and Roy on the cover) there's an article about Alicia Silverstone & veganism & fashion. I haven't looked for it yet.

I definitley think you can be fashionable and vegan at the same time. I don't consider myself high fashion, but definitely more fashion forward than the average person. Although today I'm sitting around in dark jeans and a split neck 3/4 sleeve black tee. It's about as fashionable as I get when I'm home with my son! It's even harder to be fashion forward when you're vegan AND a size 14! But hey...I'm working on that. :rolleyes:

I've been amazed at the fashionable things I've found. It takes time and you have to look high and low and everywhere, but you'll find the perfect vegan shoe/boot/coat/sweater!

Also, don't let the fashion thing sway you from changing your diet to a plant-based one. If you can start by changing your diet, that is very admirable. The rest can come as you evolve :sunny:

Glad to have you on VB! Hope to see you around :)

Here's a link for some faux fur wraps, boas and coats.

www.coquettefauxfurriers.com

Funny thing, you would think that even faux fur would be quite offensive to vegans, and probably is to some (just like those realistic fake meats) because of what it represents...And they look so very real now too...Just me voicing a thought, no offense to anyone...

I was thinking of you while I was out supporting capitalism today. I stumbled upon some very sexy Anne Klien boots that were not leather! Oh how I wish they were my size! I also came across a very hot looking pair in the Victoria's Secret catalog recently.

This (http://women.msn.com/128926.armx) on MSN today. Check out the links at the bottom of the article too.

For me, there are two things that I see as essential to use the vegan label.

The first is to only consume plant-based foods.

The second is to only buy animal-free products.

Realize these two things though - The first is that even if you slip up, as long as you plan on not slipping up again, continue to use the label, and don't feel bad. You're still lessening suffering plenty! The second is that it's impossible to rid yourself completely of animal products (gelatin in film, parts in cars and computers) so don't get too anal retentive. Draw a line, use your label, feel happy.

I think a good goal would be to eliminate 95-98% of animal products that you currently use. More than 98% and I think you'd have to be a hermit in the woods. :p

Realize these two things though -

Where is point three ?

3- remember to hang around on VB, we'll keep you on the right track

?


:D

I don't have a problem eating fake meats or wearing fake fur and leather. I'm vegan, have been for about 4 1/2 years. I'm not concerned what "image" I'm putting across, because if someone has concern enough to ask if something's real, I can simply say no, and give them some resources for cruelty-free products.

I was thinking of you while I was out supporting capitalism today. I stumbled upon some very sexy Anne Klien boots that were not leather! Oh how I wish they were my size! I also came across a very hot looking pair in the Victoria's Secret catalog recently.

What size were the boots? Would they have fit me?!! I wear about an 8 1/2 in boots :D

Thanks everybody for all of you input, opinions and suggestions. You all are very supportive, my husband thinks that I have lost mind all of a sudden and thinks I read too much PeTA. As for my transition I expected it to take a while to settle in if it ever really settles in which I have to accept that it may not. I have a lot of food habits. So far I haven't had any meat since my post, but I did eat organic cheese which I feel sort of guilt about, so I don't know if maybe I'll be vegan sooner than I thought although I will then have to learn how to cook (now all I do is burn things) or else I will go hungry a lot of the time. My hubby does all of the cooking and I don't think that he is into the whole vegan thing. As for the clothes I am just going to have to start sewing again and now I am more motivated than ever to start my cruelty free clothing company. Originally I was just going to start a eco friendly clothing company now I would have to have my own farm to use happy pet sheep wool. If anyone else has any more suggestions please keep me posted I refuse to make all of my clothes.

-cosmo

My previous post has just about every good suggestion I've found on the Internet over the last year and a half (minus some dead links and message t-shirt sites I avoided giving you), so get cracking on that stuff! I can't imagine you've given those links a thorough going over this quickly, and there's lots of valuable stuff at those links to answer your questions.

It's not like I blinked and it magically appeared! I put a lot of time in to that post (like the damn fool I am) to thoroughly answer your question, and it's like you missed it completely (which may well have happened), so I thought I'd redirect your attention to it.

Also, you didn't answer my question about where you live, which could make a difference in terms of how hard/easy the vegan food and clothing thing is going to be.

punkmommy, they had every size....even my size AND your size....but they wouldn't fit over my calves!! :cry:

I also noticed that the Newport News catalog had some non-leather boots...BUT they were courderoy....not sure how you'd feel about that!

Im kinda in the same boat as you. Im studying fashion merch, and it is really hard to find shoes and bags that are non-leather that are actually fashionable...not just generic looking ones. I havent been veg for long, so I havent really needed to buy many new shoes or bags, but now i do for fall/winter seasons. I've looked at a lot of websites, and im not really impressed with anything i've seen. I'm considering giving in and buying a pair of boots. I figure that im doing a lot more than most people, and I shouldn't get overly guilty about it. My advice is don't worry about the label, do what you can. Its better to be a dietary vegan than not being a vegan at all.

My previous post has just about every good suggestion I've found on the Internet over the last year and a half (minus some dead links and message t-shirt sites I avoided giving you), so get cracking on that stuff! I can't imagine you've given those links a thorough going over this quickly, and there's lots of valuable stuff at those links to answer your questions.

It's not like I blinked and it magically appeared! I put a lot of time in to that post (like the damn fool I am) to thoroughly answer your question, and it's like you missed it completely (which may well have happened), so I thought I'd redirect your attention to it.

Also, you didn't answer my question about where you live, which could make a difference in terms of how hard/easy the vegan food and clothing thing is going to be.

:o Sorry about not acknowledging you. I have glanced over all of those sites, but have not studied them thoroughly. Please forgive me. I am working on it, but my hubby thinks I ought to spending more of my time finding a job than converting to veg. He get's a little cranky when he catches me on this board when I am supposed to be reading classifieds.

I am recently moved to L.A. from Ohio (Cincinnati for school and Columbus home)

Im kinda in the same boat as you. Im studying fashion merch, and it is really hard to find shoes and bags that are non-leather that are actually fashionable...not just generic looking ones.

Well, maybe we should get together and start a vegan clothing company together. How much longer til you graduate? The market obviously has a niche here.

-cosmo

There's also the thought that lives are more important than fashion, but that's bound to be an unpopular statement.

To quote an oft-used saying, veg*nism is a journey, not a destination. You need to do what is right for you and if you are ok wearing leather, then wear leather.

For me, I'm ok wearing leather if it's something I purchased before I began attempting to live a more vegan lifestyle. I don't purchase new leather shoes anymore, but I'm ok with buying used leather shoes at consignment stores. This is mostly b/c I have ridiculously narrow feet and often can't find non-leather shoes that fit. B/c of the fit issue, I'm also wary of purchasing shoes online.

By definition, however, one who wears leather is not vegan, so just keep that in mind if that's the route you go.

Hey cosmo,

Im actually from cincy. Do you go to UC? I have about 3 years left. I'd love to create some veg-wear, maybe we could work something out.

i live where vegetarianism is not the norm, much less veganism. there are no vegan clothing stores or vegan shoe shops available here. i don't ever ever buy leather clothing but i have had to buy a pair of leather shoes for work this year, because i simply can't wear trainers to work (not where i work at least). so i think it very much depends on one's circumstances as well. i wish i were still in london (i graduated last year) where it was sooooooo easy to get vegan food and buy veg shoes, bags, etc. it's just not possible here, and i don't have the resources to set up my own veg friendly clothing/shoe/accessories shop here so.....yeah, i do what i can, and try not to beat myself up over incidences like the one i've just described.
anyways, just my 2 cents :)

Thanks everybody for all of you input, opinions and suggestions. You all are very supportive, my husband thinks that I have lost mind all of a sudden and thinks I read too much PeTA. As for my transition I expected it to take a while to settle in if it ever really settles in which I have to accept that it may not. I have a lot of food habits. So far I haven't had any meat since my post, but I did eat organic cheese which I feel sort of guilt about, so I don't know if maybe I'll be vegan sooner than I thought although I will then have to learn how to cook (now all I do is burn things) or else I will go hungry a lot of the time. My hubby does all of the cooking and I don't think that he is into the whole vegan thing. As for the clothes I am just going to have to start sewing again and now I am more motivated than ever to start my cruelty free clothing company. Originally I was just going to start a eco friendly clothing company now I would have to have my own farm to use happy pet sheep wool. If anyone else has any more suggestions please keep me posted I refuse to make all of my clothes.

-cosmo

If you are interested in starting a vegan clothing line some day, I used to have a link for a place that sells tussah silk (aka "peace" or "veggie" silk) It's basically wild-crafted and organic. The silk worms finish their metamorphosis naturally and emerge, and the cocoons are gathered afterwards. So the insects are neither kept in captivity or killed. The lady who owns the site will dye it for you with natural organic dyes too. (she does use carmine in some colors, but will dye without it if you request it)

Ok, here we go. It's www.aurorasilk.com. I ordered a set of swatches from them once and it's very nice fabric.

I too, am fashion junkie. And my conscience is always getting in the way. It is a hard time because you are limited primarily to 12.99 shoes or to Stella, but this stie alone has links to some sites that sell cool vegan shoes (selection is growing if you look hard) and the marketplace is expanding. I know that they are not all really the most fashion forward at the moment, but take heart, the time is coming. I am actually in the same boat you are, a trained shoe designer, and am in the process of writing a business plan.

if you want to talk in depth more, please post back. I guess since I'm a new member I am not allowed to post my email in this site just yet! haha! Post yours and we'll figure something out. :)