Veganism isn’t only making a breakthrough on our eating habits, its also turning heads in the luxury fashion world. With designers around the globe adopting sustainable alternatives, luxury vegan fashion is becoming increasingly popular. This adoption is beneficial as a long-term investment in our environment while also providing ethically sourced items. Thanks to ingenuity in the sector, vegan fashion has transformed into a luxury enterprise using better materials – not just vegan leathers made from plastics – without compromising the quality or design. Here is a list of some of the most luxurious vegan brands from around the world from bags to shoes to accessories and more, all aimed to change society’s view on luxury vegan fashion.
Jill Milan
Jill Fraser founded Jill Milan in 2010 with her partner, Milan Lazich, after years of searching for the rare combination of luxury handbags that were leather-free and eco-conscious. Jill Milan’s bags are designed by luxury fashion designers – one designer worked for Prada for years, and another one worked for Judith Leiber – and they manufacture their bags at a third-generation, family-owned atelier in Florence, Italy that makes luxury handbags for Italy’s top brands. Handbags are sewn by hand, and metalwork is handmade. Handbags range from clutches and totes. The line also includes accessories, jewelry, scarves, and even a line for pets. The exquisite Art Deco Clutch ($1,700.00) features their logo at the top of the clutch, which conceals the bag’s closure. The handbag has been carried by Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence, Kerry Washington, and hundreds of other celebrities. The Thoroughbred Bag ($700.00) has been re-introduced to the collection, with 25% of sales going to Southern California Thoroughbred Rescue. As a vehicle for supporting animal causes, Jill Milan has provided support to animal welfare and other non-profit organizations, with 10% of the company’s revenue going to a range of non-profit organizations. | courtesy of Lance Staedler
Benedetti Life
Luxury fashion brand Benedetti Life was established by the Slovenian fashion and costume designer Matea Benedetti, aimed to create a luxury brand to transform the fashion industry and help save the planet. Benedetti Life is PETA approved and has been awarded a Butterfly Mark by Positive Luxury and proudly presents collections inspired by an animal series on the verge of extinction – the current collection is dedicated to Amazon parrots. By emphasizing the coexistence of luxury aesthetics and sustainable production practices, Benedetti Life is produced locally in Slovenia and only uses non-toxic and organic textiles. Two standouts from this collection are the single-breasted bodice Parrot Women’s Jacket (€948.70) with a vegetable ivory button and the Parrot Oversize Bomber (€865.00) with bamboo jersey sleeves. Matea is passionate to combine a “green spirit with design to inspire responsible behavior through beauty and luxury” and shed light on species under threat from human activity to create the next generation of sustainable luxury lifestyle.| courtesy of Julio Barcena
Taylor + Thomas
Founded by budding fashion and art entrepreneurs, Jessica Taylor Mead and Elizabeth Thomas James, Taylor + Thomas, were created on the common ground of global consciousness and personal styling as an ethical luxury shoe brand. Each shoe is handcrafted in a small, family-owned factory in Italy with its uppers, liners, suede, insoles, heels, and more all from cruelty-free and eco-friendly, plant-based, or recycled materials. Aimed to address the wasteful state of the modern fashion industry, Taylor + Thomas’ collection features a range of loafers, heels, boots, and more. The JANE ($565.00) is a statement loafer, and their best-seller, the MARIANNE ($485.00), is inspired by a traditional court shoe, but with a western twist where the BRIGITTE ($425.00) is beautiful stiletto with sleek toplines. Furthermore, the company offsets its carbon emissions by partnering with Native Energy, and one percent of all sales are donated to 1% For The Planet. | courtesy of Taylor + Thomas
SportsChic
Founded by Karin Shoup in 2015, SportsChic was created to simplify and organize women’s daily life with high-quality vegan bags featuring sustainable style and functionality to carry from the gym to work to date night and the next adventure. All SportsChic’s bags’ exteriors are waterproof and UV protected and feature easy-access insulated pockets that keep drinks hot or cold. At the same time, their interior lining is also waterproof and antimicrobial, with plenty of pockets and compartments to store daily essentials and mobile devices. Designed for life, the sleek Scandinavian style and sophisticated colors present high-quality vegan backpacks and totes perfect for today’s active woman. Their Midi Backpack ($119.00) comes in three colors and is a go-to all day, everyday bag. In contrast, the Tote Bag ($119.00) comes in seven colors and easily carries a yoga mat and capacity for any urban or outdoor adventure. SportsChic, a female-owned business based in Huntington Beach, donates product to the Cedars-Sinai Breast Cancer Center Journey to Wellness Program in LA and Working Wardrobes, changing the lives of men, women, young adults and veterans based in Irvine. | courtesy of Troy Upperman
LaBante London
Founded by Vanita Badlani, a lifelong vegetarian, LaBante London’s was built on the ethos of ‘fashion with respect,’ and as such, their luxurious handbags are ethically produced. The environmentally conscious brand uses three kinds of faux leather, vegetable leather – is a by-product of vegetable waste – and premium vegan leather – made from recycled materials, polyurethane and doesn’t use PVC – and apple leather – a mix of apple core and apple skin with a tinge of polyurethane – in their collection. As a part of their fall/winter collection, which is to be released in July 2020, the Sophie Tote Bag (£200.00) and the Demi Handbag (£129.99) joins a growing collection of bags, clothing, accessories, and jewelry. With 10% of its profits going to charity, LaBante London aims to continue the model of sustainable, vegan, and ethical luxurious brands. See more about the brand on their Instagram @labante_london. | courtesy of LaBante London)
Votch
Votch was founded by Laura Way following her recovery from Topical Steroid Withdrawal; she vowed never to wear the skin of another being again. All of their watches comply with ROHS, and their faux leather has numerous environmental benefits while also being quite stylish. Their watches are available in seven distinct collections with the choice of a strap of vegan leather, mesh or Piñatex and come in three sizes, 16mm, 18mm, 20mm. What’s most unique to the brand is the use of Piñatex for their straps, a natural leather alternative made from fibers extracted from pineapple leaves, which are available with the Rose Gold & Piñatex (£150.00) in their Moment Collection as well as the Black & Piñatex With Black (£135.00) in their Classic Collection. Votch also donates a portion of their profits to a different charity every three months, within just over three years they have thousands of pounds to many charities around the world. | courtesy of Votch
OSIER
With a label including luxurious, faux leather bags, clothing, and accessories, OSIER is an ethical and sustainable luxury vegan brand. With true care for their impact on the environment, all of their products are handmade in Europe, using sustainable materials, where no animals are harmed in the design and manufacturing process. With a mission is to transform the fashion industry with a focus on sustainability, transparency, and quality, they compensate the CO2 that is released through the making of our bags with green wind energy. Every bag in their collection is named after one of their favorite districts in Amsterdam, which is the birthplace of OSIER. Made of polyester, apple leather, and cotton, the Jordaan (€330.00) messenger bag is perfect for a night out on the town. De Pijp (€310.00) bucket bag is the perfect size for daily activities while the Nieuw-West (€320.00) backpack lends itself for business or weekend getaways, both made from a mix of PU & PVC. | courtesy of Robin Griffin
Melie Bianco
Melie Bianco is a vegan leather, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free handbag company that is woman founded and family-owned. Their line of bags and accessories are made from premium vegan leather, offering affordable luxury without compromising quality and craftsmanship. Their trendy and seasonal pieces – each season presents a small batch of products to reduce waste of textiles and materials – are made from polyurethane perfect for the everyday woman. Their Bella Micro Crossbody ($69.00) is available in five distinct colors, and despite its small size, it makes a big fashion statement with its glossy croc vegan leather. The Vicky Shoulder Bag ($118.00) is available in three colors and can be converted into a crossbody by pulling the snaps. In comparison, the Mariel Top Handle Bag ($85.00) is available in four colors and can be carried by the handles or on your arm as a pouch. Melie Bianco is a PETA award winner and is proud to be a sweatshop-free operating under a profit-sharing model. | courtesy of Melie Bianco
MATT & NAT
Since 1995, MATT & NAT has always been committed to using only vegan leather in the creation of all its products. At their core is a goal is to minimize the negative environmental impacts of using animal bi-product and, as such, source eco-friendly materials and recycling bottles to manufacture their bags. Every year the company strives to improve its practices and reduce waste. This year sees MATT & NAT launching their first-ever collection featuring a 100% fully recycled outer-body material made of PVB. Two of their most popular bags are the VASI Hobo Bag – Black ($225.00) can be worn over the shoulder or hand-carried and feature metal chain strap and the BRAVE Backpack ($160.00) which comes in eight colors and can fit a 13″ laptop. Saving over six million bottles being recycled annually, all of their bags from clutches to totes to backpacks and more, are made of 100% recycled plastic bottles. | courtesy of MATT & NAT
R J Gibson
Handcrafted in the UK, R J Gibson’s bespoke embroidered handbags bring Rosie Gibson’s lifelong passion for exquisite embroidery and commitment to sustainability at the forefront. All with couture sensibilities, each piece is made with 100% vegan materials and adorned with digitally engineered embroideries. Inspired by female physical prowess, with strong and structural silhouettes, two of their standout pieces in the collection are the Marpesia (£700.00) and Myrina (£700.00). Available in brass, sky, or candy, the Marpesia’s outer fabric is viscose with a honeycomb stitch work with a discreet magnetic fastening holding its own as a statement accessory. Myrina, their half-moon clutch, is available in mist, olive or gold, is a compact and streamlined clutch that can also be ordered with a removable chain strap. | courtesy of R J Gibson
Denise Roobol
Denise Roobol began a plant-based diet that spurred from an interest in how products were made and the fact that animals were hurt for food. From that, she took the belief that no animal should be hurt by making beautiful bags and accessories as well, and as such, started Denise Roobol, a PETA approved vegan retailer. Not only are all of her products fashionable and trendy, but they are also all made of vegan microfiber, a high-quality alternative for leather material that is made from pressed fibers, with a strong coating to protect against sunlight and water. The top-selling two items in her collection are the Charlie Bag (£132.22), which is available in orange stripe, café latte and black, and the Mini Cruise Bag (£107.43), which is available in over 15 colors, each which can be purchased at her flagship boutique in Rotterdam or can be found throughout Europe as well as being sold online and shipped throughout the world. | courtesy of Denise Roobol
Svala
Helga Douglas founded Svala to create beautiful, stylish pieces that are animal-friendly and produced sustainably. Svala’s line of luxury vegan handbags is handcrafted from premium, innovative, animal-friendly, PVC-free fabrics such as luxurious, Italian vegan leather, Pinatex®, cork, and recycled plastic bottles. Meaning swallow in Icelandic, a bird that is a symbol of love, loyalty, freedom, and hope, Svala is inspired by Helga’s love of animals and nature and the combination of LA and Sydney’s color with the simplicity of Scandinavian design. Two of her most popular bags include the Gemma Backpack Purse ($295.00), available in cork, cream, black and black Pinatex®, a great bag that can be worn as a backpack or handbag and the Tashi Crossbody ($245.00), available in cream python, cork, black and cream, a versatile bag stylish and luxurious. Svala donates 10% of its profits to various charities and organizations, including Wild Aid, whose mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. | courtesy of Mikel Roberts
VEERAH
VEERAH aims to redefine and challenge the stereotype that high-quality luxury or designer shoes need to be created from animal leather through Stacey Chang’s unwavering commitment to provide luxury with sustainability in mind. From a limited pool of truly eco-friendly suppliers, VEERAH’s shoes and accessories are made from apple peels, plastic, and algae. They are outfitted with memory foam cushioning and anti-slip outsoles. VEERAH’s collection of day-to-night looks, each bearing the name of legendary female icons and trailblazers, was the catalyst for their core philosophy to “Do Good + Look Incredible.” They are the world’s first designer shoe collection crafted from organic apple peels; the Appeel collection can be found here, while one of their most popular is the ultra-chic VICKY ($228.00) flat shoes, which features VEERAH’s signature pointed-toe silhouette. With their Orchid Blossom collection, each pair of uppers keeps four plastic bottles from ending up in our oceans while each pair of sandals in their latest Venus collection uses nine plastic bottles. | courtesy of VEERAH
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