When it comes to vegan clothing and cruelty-free beauty products, the fashion industry is taking notice. How do we know this? Because the competition is ramping up when it comes to vegan products.
When we started the Vegetarian Zen podcast in 2013, there weren’t a ton of brands or products to talk about in the vegan lifestyle space. Sure, there were some cruelty-free fashion brands, but compared to the offerings these days, it wasn’t even close.
Even those not living a vegan lifestyle are showing greater concern about the environmental impact of their daily choices. In addition to the sustainability of products, concerns about fair trade and how workers are treated across the globe has sparked a lot of concern, especially among younger generations.
In episode 416 of The Vegetarian Zen podcast we interviewed actor Torrey Devitto, who talked about some of her favorite fashion and beauty brands. There were just so many good ones that we decided to dive deeper into some of those companies and add in a few of our own.
We’d like to keep updating this post with new companies as we become aware of them, so if you find any that you LOVE, please contact us and let us know!
You can listen to us discuss these vegan fashion and beauty brands or read on for a summary of everything we discuss.
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Vegan Clothing Brands
These vegan clothing brands prove that we don’t need animal-based clothing to look our best. Check out these amazing vegan brands.
Wawwa
Wawwa’s aim is to make garments that represent function and durability while being climate neutral. Being climate neutral means that they only use energy from renewable sources. They also use 100% organic cotton in their products.
The company is certified vegan by PETA and also a certified social enterprise.
100% organic cotton
Three-colour screen-print using water based-inks
Recycled polyester labels
Save the Duck
Save the Duck has roots that reach back to 1914, when Foresto Bargi founded the Foresto Clothing company. Nicolas Bargi, a third-generation family member, founded his own clothing company, Save the Duck, in 2012. Their main focus is:
- outerwear
- puffer jackets
- vests
- rainwear
They also have a small line of athleisure wear.
As a certified B Corp, Save the Duck meets high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.
Double-slider zippered closure with stand collar. Attached hood and adjustable drawstring. Zippered hand pockets. Shell treated for wind- and water-resistance. Cozy Sherpa lining. 100% nylon. Hand wash.
Christy Dawn
The current Farm-to-Closet Collection at Christy Dawn was regeneratively grown on 25 acres of land in India. Additionally, the company works directly with local farmers and artisans to grow the materials and create their clothing line.
When you buy from these collections, the proceeds go directly towards supporting local growers and makers.
Christy Dawn also has a Deadstock Collection, which consists of dresses made from the excess fabric discarded by other fashion companies.
Their Organic Cotton Collection dresses are made from organic cotton that has been colored with natural or organic dyes.
Brave GentleMan
Founded in 2010 by Joshua Katcher, Brave GentleMan has been featured in Vogue, GQ, Forbes, and the Financial Times.
The company was also voted “Most Influential Brand” by PETA, with celebs such as Liam Hemsworth and Joaquin Phoenix donning some of its products.
Founder Joshua Katcher says, ““The handsomeness of an object should be matched by the handsomeness of how it was made.”
In addition to their amazing products, their mission, stated below, is something we can definitely embrace!
YOU ARE A CITIZEN
We don’t like to call you a “consumer”. That title is passive. You’re more than a receptacle, and where you put your money actually matters. We like to think of our customers as citizen-investors whose purchases actually fund the systems they want to see flourish. Thank you for investing in Brave GentleMan.
Vegan Shoes
Nae Vegan Shoes
Nae stands for “No Animal Exploitation.” How cool is that? Their products are manufactured in certified and ethical factories in Portugal.
Some of the recycled materials that go into making Nae shoes are:
- Piñatex — fabric made from pineapple leaf fibers
- apple skin — vegan leather made from apple skins (waste from the apple juice industry)
- organic cotton
- cork
- recycled plastic bottles
Heel measures approximately 3 inches
Oeko-Tex Certified
Lining is microfiber and breathable allergenic/ Ecological, free of CO2 emissions
Insole: Paperboard agglomerate / Sole: Polystyrene / Outsole: Rubber
Bhava
Bhava emphasizes that they aren’t just about alternatives to leather; they go beyond and consider the planet (sustainability) as well as the workers (fair trade) when sourcing raw materials for their shoes.
Their slogan is, “Thoughtful by design.” How’s that for an ethical fashion mantra?
They specialize in:
- dressy boots
- hiking boots
- clogs
- flats
- heels
- sandals
The highest quality hand-woven, organic, recycled and cruelty-free components
Polyvinyl Chloride sole
Natural Cork Insole
Heel measures approximately 1.25 inches"
Handmade in Spain
Ccilu
“Ccilu” (pronounced CHEE-loo) is a Japanese word that means liberate. Their homepage says that they “challenge you to think differently about the concepts of waste, recycling, and consumerism.”
They say, “At our core, we seek to innovate the technology of eco-friendly shoes, recycling materials commonly discarded, such as coffee grounds and plastic bottles. We strive to create stylish, yet functional and comfortable shoes. Our sustainable shoes let customers increase their walking footprint, while decreasing their carbon footprint!”
Waterproof ankle rubber booties with advanced technology sole for ultimate support and flexibility. Lace-up short boots with weatherproof liner for winter and rainy weather. PETA approved.
Vegan Handbags
Angela Roi
The mission at Angela Roi is “To transform the way we think about fashion with ethical accessories that are good for all creatures.”
Most of their bags are constructed from “traditional” vegan leather made from synthetic alternatives such as polyurethane or similar products.
If you’re not a fan of synthetic material, their Cacta Collection is made from leaves of the nopales cactus. The leaves are harvested by hand and and sun-dried (no chemicals needed).
The plants are grown on an organic farm in Zacatecas, Mexico with no irrigation or fertilizer. After harvesting, each plant takes 6-8 months to regrow its leaves, meaning they can be harvested again and again.
Be sure to check out the series of videos on their site that shows their entire hand-manufacturing process.
Matt & Nat
Matt & Nat was founded in 1995 in Montreal. Contrary to what we assumed, their name stands for Material & Nature (we figured it was Matthew and Natalie!). They offer shoes, outerwear, knitwear, and accessories for women and men.
The materials they use are vegan, cruelty-free, and recycled, and include:
- nylons
- cardboard
- rubber
- cork
- windshield resin
Corkor
Corkor’s been around for a while now, and they’re Larissa’s go-to brand when she needs a new wallet.
As their name implies, Corkor produces beautiful cruelty-free alternative leather from the bark of
Corkor products include:
- handbags
- briefcases
- messenger bags
- wallets
- belts
- keychains
- coasters
- mousepads and desk pads
12 Card Slots, 2 Compartments for Notes & Bills
1 Zipper Back Pocket for Coins
2 Snap Closure
Dimensions: 7.9" x 4.3" x 1" (inches)
Weight: 5.11 oz
Health & Beauty
The beauty industry is also taking notice of the trend toward vegan, cruelty-free, and sustainable products.
Since neither of us is much into beauty products, we thought we’d direct you to a better resource: The Ethical Elephant. Their site has an AMAZING and updated brand directory to help you if you’re looking for cruelty-free, sustainable, vegan health and beauty products.
Elina Organics
We do have one brand to mention, however, that was recommended by our guest, Torrey Devitto. Elina Organics was founded in 1998 by esthetician and holistic skin care educator Elina Fedotova.
Elina Organics products are:
- organic
- holistic
- small -batch
- sustainable
- cruelty-free
They carry a variety of:
- bath, body, & hair products
- scrubs & masks
- cleansers
- toners
- eye & lip care
- moisturizers
- natural makeup
- men’s line
if you happen to be in the Kalamazoo, Michigan or Pompano Beach, Florida areas, Elina Organics also has a spa located in each of these two cities. You can check out their services and book an appointment on their website.
8oz
All Natural Organic Botanical Ingredients
Clears Acne, Reduces Oil, Removes Makeup
Calms Skin
Non Drying
We hope we’ve given you some inspiration to do a little vegan shopping with these vegan alternatives. Of course, these aren’t the only vegan fashion companies out there. We’re going to keep adding to this guide so be sure to check back periodically. The future of fashion is looking pretty great thanks to these companies!