in the news
Aussie
VEGAN
FASHION
revolution
W
e're in the midst of a vegan
fashion revolution. This
became apparent when
Stella McCartney debuted
her “skin-free skin”
collection at Paris Fashion Week earlier this
year. Her materials, made from waterborne
polyurethane, stole the show, leading
commentators to wonder why anyone
needs to use leather anymore.
OK, so maybe the runways of Paris are
half a world away, and perhaps McCartney's
designs are a little out of reach of most of
our budgets, but that doesn't mean
cruelty-free catwalks are exclusively a
French phenomenon - things are changing
down under too - and fast.
Australians are adopting the word
“vegan” like it’s going out of style – which
is ironic, given that it’s never been more invogue. Australia has topped google trends
data for searches for “vegan” and been
named the world's third fastest-growing
market for vegan-labelled packaged food.
Australian cosmetics have also begun
their animal-friendly makeover. A recent
study found that the number of Australian
women who felt it was important that their
make-up be cruelty-free has increased by
12 per cent, outranking factors such as
SPF and anti-ageing benefits.
Now, it’s fashion’s turn to embrace the
trend. More than 150 Australian designers
have already signed PETA’s pledge to go
fur-free, and 60 have promised never to
use angora. Large retailers such as Myer
and David Jones have adopted anti-fur and
anti-angora policies, while vegan leather
items are regularly popping up on their
racks, including chic statement pieces
from completely skin-free Aussie brands
such as Urban Originals.
Even if you’re dedicated to keeping up
with all the new vegan fashion boutiques
and businesses, it’s almost impossible to
do so. Companies such as Unreal Fur are
pros at faux fur, Charlie Butler and Vegan
Style are feeding our desire for animal-free
footwear, and James & Co vegan leather
jackets are so hip that even the Prime
Minister has one.
Meanwhile, brands such as In the
Soulshine, Kind Cartel, and Plant Faced
Clothing are making the cruelty-free
message visible on the totes and shirtfronts
of on fleek fashionistas everywhere. In The
Soulshine even recently teamed up with
PETA to create the ultimate vegan fashion
tee. And bag producers such as SCARLETT,
Evontte, and Sassy Duck have stockists
nationwide.
Faster than you can say “cruelty-free
closet”, you can put together an entirely
vegan outfit at retailers such as Velvety,In The SoulshineUnreal Fur