Great Design + Animal-Friendly = A Happy Girl at GoHaute

Periodically, we’d like to highlight the animal-friendly and eco-smart options available for the girl who doesn’t want to compromise her style for her beliefs. Luckily, more and more designers and labels are offering pieces that meet the needs of our conscientious but fashion-loving community.

There are some lines that just simply refuse to manufacture their products with animal-derived materials. Stella McCartney designs all of her pieces, including her Adidas line, without the use of any leather. And on February 1st, Té Casan is launching a line of cruelty-free shoes designed by actress Natalie Portman, who, up until now, had only worn shoes from McCartney and Target. To up the eco ante even more, all of the proceeds from Portman’s line go to The Nature Conservancy.

Then there’s Anne Salvatore Epstein, formerly of Marc Jacobs and IISLI, who spawned her own company called Beau Soleil, boasting green designs that focus on sustainability, organic materials, and fair trade and labor. With fabrics made of bamboo, organic cotton, and eucalyptus, Epstein creates pieces that make you feel good about what you’re wearing or toting beyond just the style factor. Her inspirationally scribed Beau Bag, even makes us recall the uber-hyped Anya Hindmarch “I’m Not a Plastic Bag” bag - a £5 item that ended up selling for up to £400 on eBay!

Still, there are other designers who, even if not exclusively vegan or ecologically-minded, are including increasingly more individual pieces within their collections that fulfill the planet-friendly desires of the planet-loving girl.

In his Marc line, Marc Jacobs brings us some leather-free and super cute bags and clutches made of quilted nylon and coated canvas. And in his signature collection, the colorful and comfy rubber Jelly Mouse shoes are going strong and selling out for over a year now.

Staying with the whole rubber theme, Scottish Hunter Wellies are all the rage, even off the farm. Paired with miniskirts and dresses, skinny jeans and teeny jumpers, these boots do more than just keep your toes dry.

So it seems the overlap between dressing smart and dressing in style is growing wider. No longer must the eco-loving lady resort to frumpy canvas totes and giant felt clogs! Fashion and passion have met. And for this, we are grateful.