Fortunately, most of the major fashion houses have already dropped fur from their collection. It has been a huge step for vegan fashion and animal rights, however, it did not stop animals from being killed for fashion.
Any clothing material that comes from animals inflicts unnecessary pain and suffering on animals. Leather, wool, silk are just as cruel as fur, and it’s time for them to go as well. Even pearls are a no-go when it comes to cruelty-free fashion.
When it comes to sustainable fashion or budget-friendly handbags, vegans don’t have a hard time getting dressed anymore. But what about high-end designer clothes and accessories that could really prove that vegan fashion isn’t inferior to “normal” fashion? Do they even exist? Yes, they do!
Here are 10 designer brands you must know about which are truly vegan and cruelty-free!
1. Rombaut
Rombaut is a vegan high-end footwear brand with sustainability at its core. Its bold aesthetics and conscious values make Rombaut stand out from the crowd of mainstream sneakers.
The brand’s cruelty-free designer shoes are made with the highest-quality and most environmentally-friendly materials which are mostly recycled plastic-based fabrics and high-end plant-based leather alternatives.
Prices starting at $255.
2. Hiraeth Collective
Hiraeth is a cruelty-free designer brand founded by Rooney Mara. Their ready-to-wear clothes and accessories are ethically made in Los Angeles with premium, animal-free materials sourced from Italy, Japan, France, and the UK.
Hiraeth values quality, craftsmanship, and comfort, and respects all living creatures.
Prices starting at $77.
3. Alexandra K.
Alexandra K. is a Polish designer brand that makes cruelty-free and sustainable handbags, accessories, and vegan clothing. The brand has received Peta’s Vegan Fashion Award in Germany and in France.
Alexandra K. products are made locally in Poland and contain only the most sustainable and innovative animal-cruelty-free materials. The brand uses different leather alternatives that are more sustainable than regular vegan leather such as plant-based leather (apple leather and Pinatex), silicone-based PU leather, and recycled PU leather. Their latest clothing collection also features undyed organic cotton.
Prices starting at $77.
4. La Seine & Moi
La Seine & Moi is a French ready-to-wear label founded by Lydia Bahia. The brand offers stylish and modern faux-fur coats and accessories, and vegan clothing.
The Parisian brand caters to the lovers of Parisian style and people who respect the environment and animals.
Prices starting at $103.
5. Marei1998
Marei1998 is a 100% vegan ready-to-wear and accessories label for the modern conscious consumer.
The designer Maya Reik gathers inspiration from her grandmother’s chic vintage style and the art, architecture, and vintage markets of European cities. She creates modern classic pieces with sustainability and vegan materials at the core of her values. Marei1998 pieces are designed to last and make you (and maybe even your grandchildren) look chic for many years.
The Peta-approved responsible luxury label uses recycled nylon, vegan leather, velvet, and faux fur to create long-lasting, sophisticated, and elegant pieces.
Prices starting at $350.
6. Dauntless
Founded by Paula Maldonado, Dauntless is a sustainable and cruelty-free fashion label. They create ready-to-wear clothing, shoes, and bags made ethically with love in Colombia.
The Peta-approved Dauntless never uses leather and any other material that comes from animals, but instead opts for IVONS-, GOTS-, or SGS-certified vegan materials.
Prices starting at $72.
7. Benedetti
Benedetti is an animal-free eco-luxury label based in Los Angeles. Founded by the award-winning designer, Matea Benedetti, the brand fuses luxury aesthetics with environmental consciousness and reasonable business practices.
Bendetti only works with organic, non-toxic, and biodegradable, or recycled materials.
Nature is the main inspiration for Benedetti, so the cruelty-free label is obviously very committed to protect and preserve the environment.
Prices starting at $91.
8. Enda
Enda was founded in 2015 by Ran Enda, a Japanese, cruelty-free fashion designer. The vegan brand is based in New York and offers high-end clothing made with natural fibers, plant-based dyes, as well as upcycled materials.
Prices starting at $149.
9. Save The Duck
Save The Duck makes vegan jackets that are feather- and down-free in many different styles and colors with high-quality, sustainable materials. They make dressing for winter weather for vegans so much easier.
The Peta-approved vegan Save The Duck is also a B-Corp which means it meets the highest environmental and social standards.
Prices starting at $180.
10. Rungg
Rungg is a premium vegan leather footwear label that specializes in handcrafted and hand-embroidered wearable art.
If you like one-of-a-kind, sustainable, artistic statement shoes, Rungg should be on your radar! Their designs are gorgeous, playful, and show respect for nature.
Prices starting at $125.
Designers You Thought Were Vegan But Aren’t
Stella McCartney
When we talk about cruelty-free fashion designers the one name that comes to mind for many people is Stella McCartney. Let me get this straight: Stella McCartney is not a 100% vegan fashion label. The brand doesn’t use leather and fur, but it still uses a lot of “responsible” wool, and peace silk. So I could call Stella McCartney a vegetarian fashion label at best.
Go for Stella McCartney shoes and bags if you have the budget, or even better, buy them for much cheaper second-hand on The RealReal. (bags / shoes)
Nanushka
Nanushka is also often mentioned amongst vegan designer brands, but it isn’t 100% vegan. The ready-to-wear fashion label uses vegan leather for its leather-imitation pants, skirts, and dresses, but wool and silk also appear in Nanushka’s collections. And sometimes for footwear, they use vegetable-tanned leather. So no, Nanushka isn’t a cruelty-free brand just because it uses some vegan materials.
If you want to buy Nanushka (and I’m pretty sure you do because they have very cool stuff) make sure to check the materials! Or, again, do yourself a favor and shop on The RealReal!
