1. Can you introduce yourself to us as the founder of Immaculate Vegan?
My background is in marketing and strategy, and I worked for many years as a Chief Marketing Officer for large media companies, and then as a marketing strategy consultant. I became vegan in 2016 after adopting a greyhound from the Retired Greyhound Trust and making the connection between the pets we love and all other animals; and I decided to change my career and start Immaculate Vegan at the end of a couple of years later – I’ve never looked back!
2. What incentivised the launch of IV?
I became vegan a few years ago and initially found it difficult to find beautiful, high quality fashion that was also vegan and sustainable. After a lot of time spent researching brands on the internet and social media, I found that there were actually many fashion-forward vegan brands, but they were hard to find – so I started Immaculate Vegan as an Instagram blog in order to curate and share the best vegan fashion I could find, to help others looking for ethical and sustainable alternatives – and to elevate the profile of vegan fashion and show people you can be vegan and stylish too!
3. What is a typical day like for you?
As the leader of a small but fast growing business, it’s always super busy and diverse! Covering everything from a team catch up, strategy meeting, a catch up with our digital agency, creating marketing emails, working on social posts and stories, doing an interview or podcast, planning the next set of articles for our online magazine, talking to a potential investor – the list is endless. And I love it!
4. Which is the most influential luxury brand that you admire and why?
Well FERRON is definitely one! A brand I really love right now is YATAY, who make gorgeous vegan trainers with their own plant-based vegan leather that’s made from oils from cereal crops – they have the most beautiful, classic minimalist designs and lots of celebrity fans, including Benedict Cumberbatch and David Beckham. And I also really admire Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather, a French footwear brand that was one of the first fashionable vegan brands on the market, and are one of our bestselling brands at Immaculate. They’re also loved by many, including Emma Watson, they’re constantly looking at how they can use more and more sustainable materials, including apple leather and other plant-based leathers, and they bring out bigger and better collections every season.
5. We love what IV stands for beautiful and high-quality products that are cruelty-free and support real craftsmanship. Can tell us why the sustainability factor is so important for you throughout brand building?
Ultimately we exist to help people find and support brands and products that are
kind to people, animals and the planet. Being vegan is an essential part of this, as animal materials like leather, wool and silk are some of the most unsustainable materials used in fashion, as well as being unethical. However you can be vegan and not sustainable, and we want to make sure we sell products that use the most planet-friendly materials, manufacturing and packaging that are available. I think we’re all on a sustainability journey as it’s very hard to be 100% sustainable, so it’s about doing the best we can with what’s available at the time.
6. What has been the most challenging yet rewarding barrier you faced and how did overcome it, business wise?
There are so many challenges to running a business, from operational ones (like
making sure we have the technology to sell multiple brands from around the world, to customers around the world, with different shipping, and cross border taxes!); to constantly working to find the best vegan brands out there are getting them onto our site; to raising our first round of investment. I don’t think it’s one thing, but it’s juggling all these things, and the thing that has helped me the most is having a brilliant co-founder and team to support me.
7. In which areas are you looking to grow and expand IV in the next 3-5 years?
We started with vegan women’s shoes and bags, so this is the area we are strongest in, but we now really expanding our clothing categories too. We will also grow our men’s offering, which is currently pretty small, and we plan to launch Immaculate Kids too. Ultimately we want to make sure we have a strong offering in every key category in every region around the world, so that customers have a great choice of vegan and sustainable products that they can also buy locally.
8. Why is FERRON at IV?
FERRON is a great Immaculate brand, as it epitomises elegant, minimalist style and beautiful design (which is seasonless and cuts across fast fashion trends); whilst also being a brand with purpose and amazing values – for example, I love that FERRON actively supports wildlife protection projects such as Sheldrick Wildlife Trust's elephant orphanage in Kenya.
Becky Simmonds is one of them. Becky is a professional dog walker and part-time rescue worker aka 'dog whisperer'! :) She's on a one-woman-mission to help raise awareness! And here's her guide on "How to Prevent Animal Cruelty". Please enjoy the read and take all the actions you can to spread the awareness.
"As pet owners and animal lovers, it’s unimaginable that anyone would want to hurt these sweet, furry creatures.
Sadly, animal cruelty is incredibly common, and it happens everywhere—from urban areas to the most remote locations. Our nation is no exception.
While it’s virtually impossible to calculate the number of animals who are neglected and abused annually due to underreporting, The Human Society of the United States reports that a whopping 71% of domestic abusers are also cruel to their pets. Additionally, 88% of people under surveillance for child abuse commit animal abuse as well.
Although the above-mentioned statistics are disheartening, Breed Advisor is devoted to stopping animal cruelty in its tracks. We’re encouraged that congressional leaders have gotten involved by passing the 2018 PAWS Act, which criminalizes animal abuse, and ensures domestic violence survivors are able to keep their beloved pets. Although long overdue, this act was passed at a pivotal time in history, as domestic abuse cases have skyrocketed due to stay-at-home orders and mounting stress caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.
We’re thrilled to see government getting involved in the prevention of animal cruelty, but it’s important to note that there are countless steps we can take at the individual and community levels to ensure safety, security, and the best possible quality of life for each and every animal.
Pet overpopulation is a massive problem in the United States. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that approximately 6.5 million pets are surrendered to animal shelters each year—about 3.3 million dogs and 3.2 million cats. Sadly, 1.5 million of these former pets go on to be euthanized.
One way to help cut down on overpopulation is by spaying or neutering your pet(s). In addition to playing a part in controlling overpopulation, benefits of spaying and neutering include a longer, happier lifespan, reduced risk of health problems, and in some cases, improved behavior.
Even the most loyal, loving pet owners sometimes require assistance. Major life events can result in stress, along with other mental or physical health concerns. In some cases, folks simply can’t continue to care for their pets due to unforeseen circumstances.
If a neighbor or loved one is struggling to offer their pet(s) basic care and plenty of TLC, offer to pet sit, foster the pet(s) until life returns to normal, or gently discuss other alternatives. Sometimes an uncomfortable conversation is necessary to ensure a pet’s safety and wellbeing.
Practice compassion, and refrain from being accusatory, as this could result in additional stress.
Just like survivors of domestic abuse, children who witness animal abuse are likely to perpetuate the cycle. It’s heartbreaking that many boys and girls who grow up in abusive households see animal cruelty as “normal.” If a child engages in or witnesses animal abuse, the Animal Welfare Institute encourages parents to reach out to a mental health professional for help. Being a proactive parent can help break the abuse cycle.
If you are the parent of a child in a pet-free home, or if your child hasn’t engaged in or witnessed animal abuse, you can set an excellent example by teaching your kiddo to treat animals with respect—and advocate for those who are mistreated or otherwise in need.
If you’ve ever witnessed animal abuse, you know it’s downright gut-wrenching. Although it’s difficult to observe this type of cruelty, it’s crucial to take note of the events and contact law enforcement right away.
Some states require a call to the local police precinct, while others urge witnesses to contact a local animal shelter or animal control agency.
Be sure to research the requirements in your state, so you’ll know who to call in case of an emergency.
Below, we outline important information to gather to help ensure an effective investigation:
As the staff at Breed Advisor continue to do our part in preventing animal cruelty, we invite you to join us. While animal abuse and neglect are heartbreaking and difficult to face head-on, we’re determined to band together to put an end to the mistreatment of these innocent creatures.
As Albert Einstein famously said, “The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.”
We must all do our part to make the world a better place for those who cannot speak up for themselves, including our four-legged friends."
]]>
At FERRON, we believe that no animal should be harmed for food, fashion nor entertainment and we always advocate cruelty- free way of life. It’s pretty easy to go vegan when it comes to food. It’s a little bit trickier when it comes to fashion, beauty and homeware. Do not worry though, we’re happy to share our knowledge and make the transition as easy and simple experience for you. Not only for the month of January, but for the rest of your life! Scroll down the page to learn more :)
Some animal products, like fur or leather, are pretty obvious, but others might be a little harder to spot, for instance silk, feathers, angora, pashmina, mohair, etc. It’s even more difficult to “spot” animal harming when it comes to beauty products, candles, etc. It can get a bit confusing and overwhelming to shop cruelty- free with all the different logos and symbols provided on the packaging. We certainly hope that the below will help you make the right choice moving forward.
Fashion is ever changing and whilst fur is seen by most people as a no-go, and has been banned by many brands, unfortunately leather is still commonly used in bags, shoes and accessories.
Misleadingly, leather is often described as a 'by-product' of the meat and dairy industry. However, it's more accurate to describe it as a co-product – an industry with over one billion animals killed every year for leather alone, and meat and dairy farming economically dependent on leather revenues.
In terms of environmental impact, leather has been shown to be the most damaging of all materials used in fashion. A massive study called Pulse of the Fashion Industry (summary can be found here) looked at the environmental damage caused by a large range of materials commonly used in fashion and found leather to have the worst environmental impact, more than twice that of PU / polyurethane-based (plastic) leather. Our demand for leather is also a key contributor to the destruction of the Amazon.
What's the alternative?
It’s now easier than ever to shop vegan fashion! Vegan fashion is possible, it’s affordable and completely ethical. Trust me, there are a lot of up and coming brands that offer a range of cruelty- free and ethical products. The vast majority of the vegan stores operate online so you can dress yourself sustainably from head to toe without the need for leaving the comfort of your four walls! This comes pretty handy at the moment, taking the current situation into an account.
Also, most of the mainstream high street stores offer animal derived-free products, so there are affordable alternatives for everyone’s budget. Just please make sure to check the label! If the information provided is unclear, I say it's about time to contact the company and ask them to clarify the ingredients. Or better yet, register their products with PETA!
If you don’t have time or don’t feel like doing all the research in terms of vegan brands you’d be willing to invest into, remember that there are many online marketplaces that curate whole vegan lookbook outfit ideas for you. Those marketplaces investigate and verify that each brand is indeed vegan and cruelty- free before they introduce their products onto their virtual store. They basically do the legwork and homework for you!
For more information, you can read our articles The Future of Luxury is Not Leather. and Vegan fashion - my favourite vegan brands and where to find them.
Wool. The issue of unethical production of wool is heavily misunderstood. The perception is that the sheep are sheared, and can live their happy lives from the trimming cycle to the next one, etc. One might think that there is nothing cruel in farming sheep for wool, that the sheep are not killed. This is a very common misconception and a less obvious example of animal suffering in the fashion industry.
Sadly, it couldn’t be more far from the truth! Although we don’t obtain wool by killing sheep as such, they ultimately die for us to wear the fabric! That's because once sheep stop producing wool, which happens after a few shearing rounds, they are sent off to slaughter houses. Some also die as a result of poor farming conditions.
It goes without saying that shearing is extremely stressful to the sheep and can result in serious injuries. Shearers in the wool industry are often underpaid, and are paid by the volume of wool they produce and not the hours they work, meaning that it's in their best interest to work as quickly as possible.
What's the alternative?
Look for organic cotton, or other natural, sustainable textiles such as linen or bamboo. These are still soft and warm, non-irritant (many people suffer allergies to wool), much more sustainable, and delightfully animal-free. There are lots of alternatives which we talk about in How to dress cosy without using wool or fur?
Animal testing
Animal testing for cosmetics, toiletry products and their ingredients is banned in the UK and across the European Union. However, in some countries – China, for example – it is compulsory for any company that sells cosmetics to pay for their products to be tested on animals. That means that a company selling cruelty-free in the UK or Europe may still be testing on animals in China. Also be aware that just because a product is listed as having vegan ingredients, that doesn't necessarily mean it's not been tested on animals.
What's the alternative?
If you want to avoid buying products that have been tested on animals, look out for the Cruelty Free International Leaping Bunny symbol (you'll also see this on household products), PETA’s Cruelty-Free Bunny logo. If you want to also avoid supporting any parent companies who still test on animals, this list by PETA will greatly help you.
Animal-derived ingredients
It can be much harder to avoid animal ingredients in your beauty products, candles and fragrances, as they're often hidden in long ingredients lists, with names that don't clearly indicate what they are. Common ingredients (and there are many, many more) include: beeswax (used in balms, lotions and make-up). gelatin (boiled skin, tendons, ligaments and bones of animals), found in make-up, lanolin (the excretion from wool-bearing mammals), found in lipsticks and make-up removers. Candles often contain stearic acid (which usually comes from animal fat) or beeswax. The fragrances used in candles, perfumes and diffusers may contain extracts of milk, honey, leather, beeswax and animal secretions (such as Musk, Civet, Castoreum and Ambergris).
What's the alternative?
To avoid products that contain animal ingredients, always check the labels. Invest in fragrances derived from natural essential oils, and use brands that tell you where they source their materials.look for the Vegan symbols such as those from The Vegan Society or PETA. Good sources of information on these include One Green Planet, Public Goods and Ethical Elephant.
I hope this inspires you to shop more ethically, and helps you in understanding vegan products and brands that are worth investing into. And best of luck with your new lifestyle choices, enjoy it!
You would have thought that there were enough handbags in the world to cover all the needs of a very demanding clientele. Yet, every season the showrooms of the world’s biggest fashion houses are crammed with new ranges of designer handbags to tempt the customer. We yearn for newness! We yearn for designer handbags!
Even though for most women their handbag is a multi-tasking device, it needs to meet certain requirements. I wrote a blog post in the past that would guide you on How to find the perfect handbag? Those were very good tips that are still relevant and that we need to consider prior to making a significant investment, such a designer handbag is. That’s right, designer handbags are not cheap. They’re usually quite expensive, and the look of it suggests a certain economic prosperity. Given their visibility, a bag is like a shorthand for conveying individual style.
While some women may often play it safe clothing wise, either due to workplace convention or simply their lack of interest in clothes and so choose to dress not particularly interesting in their daily life, these same women will frequently have a standout handbag. I’m sure you can think of such examples quite easily yourself- seeing plain or even cheap looking outfits accessorized with an over 2K bag!
One could argue that there’s no difference between designer handbags and their high street counterparts. That it’s just not worth the investment.
And in theory I could vouch to that. Except that designer handbags... make you feel good! There is something about getting a brand new, designer bag; it is quite a rite of passage. Investing in a designer handbag that stands the test of time is one of the most worthwhile luxurious purchases you can make.
It allows you to become the best and most efficient version of yourself there and then! One of our customers wrote a thank you email to us recently, and said that, and I quote: “I have never had a "designer label" handbag before and am glad that I went with yours. Everything about it is great.” This is mission accomplished from a designer handbags owner perspective, it’s music to my ears :D
Handbags are great gift items too, and there is no danger of gifting the wrong size too! Designer handbags will never go out of style. Trust me, there are no designer handbags re- gifting!
Now, I would urge you to use lockdown as the time to think long-term and invest in pieces that are versatile, timeless, combine the virtues of practicality and utility: along with showing off personal taste. Let’s be honest, (pretty much!) all designer handbags are just beautiful and high-quality. Though not all designer handbags are cruelty-free and sustainably made at the same time! Please do your research and support the brands that are doing their best on the sustainability arena.
]]>Q. How do you think the demand for animal-free fashion has changed over the past decade?
A. Vegan fashion is becoming more and more fashionable! The hope is for vegan fashion to become the norm, to go mainstream and not needing a “vegan” qualifier to be used.
It’s consumers that are changing the face of the industry by demanding that designers and retailers ditch animal-derived materials in favour of cruelty-free alternatives that look great without causing suffering.
In most recent years there has been a rise in demand for trend-led vegan clothing, as many items seemingly animal-product free contain small parts of animals such as leather labels, for example on jeans, or angora wool in jumpers, rendering them undesirable to the young vegan consumer.
This is having an impact on designers and retailers, who are starting to ditch certain animal products from their offerings. We’ve seen luxury brands catching on with the vegan lifestyle and customers demand, and steering away from fur and leather, going fully or partly vegan!
Q. What kind of customer do you see purchasing your vegan leather products?
A. According to a survey by the Vegan Society, the number of vegans in Britain has risen by 350 percent and with over 500,000 people in the UK now identifying as vegan. The Number of vegetarian and fast fashion conscious population is on the rise too.
Vegan fashion customers are predominantly a younger generation, age 18- 35 years old, conscious shoppers as well as animal and cruelty-free fashion lovers.
FERRON’s customers, for example, are females, young professionals, 28 - 34 years old, independent- minded, fashion icons and environmental conscious. They are potentially vegan, they live in the city, they are youthful and sophisticated. FERRON’s customers are culturally diverse, existing across the political, economic, and social spectrum. They are unique, with firm morals and guided by a clear conscience. They are activists, caring friends and a businesswomen that make decisions carefully, weighing the impact of their actions for themselves as well as the world around her.
Q. How necessary is it for retailers to cater for a vegan customer in the current market?
A. Global handbags market is forecasted to grow at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period (2019 - 2024). The report states that the market will be increasingly influenced by the growth of veganism, and that many manufacturers already have vegan designs in their product ranges. The vegan leather market is set to be worth $85 billion globally by 2025, according to a report by business consultancy Grand View Research (GVR).
The above are figures for the handbag industry only, but those are on the rise across the fashion industry.. The retailers that want to stay afloat must adapt quickly to ever rising customer demand. The future of luxury is not leather, this is our motto :)
Q. How do you think the use of animal products in the fashion industry will change in the future?
A. Oh , it is changing as I type! It is not only ethical reasons but also environmental benefits that encourage vegan fashion and lifestyle! The livestock required to produce meat, dairy—and leather—takes up the majority of the world’s farmland, it is responsible for more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation systems combined, and ultimately contributes to climate change. It also takes an enormous amount of water to grow crops for animals to eat, clean factory farms, and give animals water to drink. With the use of social media, more and more activists are finding places to increase the reach of their messages and mission to remove animal cruelty worldwide, which has led to an increase in vegan activists, veganism globally and a need for fashion brands to take notice and improve their product lines as a result.
Q. How do you think the use of vegan-alternatives such as faux leather will change in the future?
A. As the fashion world develops, so too does the scope for more and more vegan alternatives. The leather alternatives do not just look good, they are also better for the environment! And yes, I wish I could say that synthetic alternatives are already perfect and come with no environmental concerns. While this is not the case yet, new technologies will soon provide plant-based leather alternatives that are 100% biodegradable. Until that is possible, I want to demystify the environmental impact of synthetic alternatives and compare it to leather made from animal skins.
There’s this common argument that leather is better for the environment because it is “natural,” while its synthetic alternatives are made with polyester or acrylic. What some forget to remember is that an animal leather decomposes when it’s natural, but after all of the chemical treatments applied to a leather product, it isn’t going to decompose in their wardrobe, or when they are done using it!
More brands continue to delve into a vegan based product line, expect to see a far less harsh impact on the environment, stronger animal welfare and vegan fashion accessories and garments which have developed to look just as good, if not better than the animal alternative.
Q. What is the mission behind FERRON?
A. I believe that my product adds value to this world, is aligned with my values and comes with a strong mission! I love animals, and I don’t agree with having them used for our own advantage, whether it’s fashion, cosmetics, food or entertainment! I wanted to join the team of change makers and push the boundaries of the fashion industry, to make vegan luxury pieces more affordable and accessible for customers, to prove that vegan fashion is indeed fashionable!
FERRON is my outlet that allows me to be creative, to talk about things that are important to me- love for animals, contribute to reducing the gap between vegan fashion lovers and luxury items, helping others, especially women entrepreneurs!
Q. Are there plans to release other designs? Do you have any plans to make a larger bag at some point?
A. At this present time we only have one design, available in 3 colours. The bag is very unique, at the same time versatile and timeless. And as much as I am very proud of the bags, my intention is to move forward introducing more and equally unique designs. There are some ideas in my head, however, I’m unable to confirm ETA for a new arrival.
At the moment, I’m focusing on spreading awareness about FERRON, getting the name “out there” and winning the trust amongst conscious fashionistas. The goal is to turn FERRON into a mainstream brand.
Q. Would you rather use a) recycled scrap cow leather bonded with natural rubbers pressed and made to feel like a real leather or b) recycled polyester made to feel like suede?
A. The answer is easy- b. I opted in for creation of vegan products because I don’t wish to support or be a part of animal cruelty. I don’t want to take part in creating demand for more leather, even if that’s animal derived scraps. Just to be totally transparent here, as I always am, I still own clothes, shoes and accessories that are made of leather, because it would have been criminally wasteful of me to oust them when I made the leap to going cruelty-free. So, yes, I still wear a few pieces made from animal products, most of which were inherited, gifted or bought second hand.
Q. How do you respond to people who don’t believe PU is vegan due to its petroleum base?
A. I understand that some say that using “vegan leather” qualifiers for the products made of PU is greenwashing. My vegan mindset means doing our best to do the least harm possible to all living beings. I’m open to looking into transitioning to recycled or other ethical material if it is beautiful and would allow my team to make nice products out of. As soon as natural leather alternatives don’t require us to compromise on quality and longevity, we will probably be using it.
What seems to be quite confusing to all fashion lovers and customers at this stage is that those materials are still being developed, tested and piloted and not available to every brand to purchase. One of the latest vegan leather trends- Piñatex, though plant-based and pretty sustainable in itself, as an end product has petroleum- based coating added, hence it’s actually not biodegradable. And it’s not as easy to work with. Besides, it is not as strong and I don’t quite like the look of it. It’s just not a material for my brand.
Similarly, an apple leather, despite the lovely name, still has approx 50% PU in it.
FERRON | Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | LinkedIn |YouTube
While even panic-buying toilet roll, soap and hand sanitiser is understandable, a sense of hysteria can be contagious and quite frankly, it can negatively impact your mental health, leaving many of us feeling worried or anxious, and worsening existing mental health conditions. Please remember that feeling stressed, scared, confused, angry or sad is normal, and that caring for your brain requires ongoing work.
1.Stick to a routine
As much as possible, get up at the same time as normal, follow your usual morning routines, and go to bed at your usual time. Prioritise looking after yourself, exercising, reading, getting enough sleep and spending time being creative or organising your living space – things you don’t normally have time for. Look at the self- isolating period as an “extra” time given to you, as an opportunity to sort things that you’ve been adding onto #idoitwhenivesparetime pile. Now it’s the time. Ticking off the boxes will give a great sense of achievement and make you feel good about yourself.
2. Keep active
Following the above, the link between physical activity and our mood, stress level, self-esteem and overall mental health is well documented, so keep your body moving! Whether it’s a home workout, dancing around your living room, cleaning your work space or decluttering your wardrobe! This is also a perfect opportunity to start a challenge, i.e. 21 days yoga challenge with Adriene, split challenge, push up challenge, etc. You get the gist, right? Every physical activity counts. This might positively impact your relationship with your other half too, just saying :)
3. Meditation and deep breathing
Research shows that deep breathing and breath exercises can calm you down and make you feel more in control. There are tons of free materials available online that you can use to guide you through the most effective breathing and meditation exercises. I personally use the Calm app (the free options) but there are many more that I’d encourage you to try. And though it’s a very basic stuff, please remember to breathe in through the nose, and out through the mouth, exhaling for longer than you inhale. This can help to slow your heartbeat and lower or stabilise blood pressure.
4. Stay well nourished and hydrated
Similarly to the above, the food we eat does affect our mental wellbeing. Try to eat more fruit and veg to maintain high levels of wellbeing and boost our immune system. I would avoid sugar intake at all costs as this will only disrupt your energy levels throughout the day. Eating regularly can help your mood too. Why not re- take a veganuary challenge? I think this whole crisis taught us nothing but that the plant based diet is the way to move forward.
Staying hydrated is just as crucial as staying nourished for both mental and physical health. I keep my water bottle at my workstation at all times. And I make endless cups of herbal teas too! Ask anyone that has ever been visiting my house :)
5. Stay connected
Staying connected with your family and friends during times of stress is imperative, so if you can’t physically meet up with them, do so digitally. Try video chats, online book clubs or movies enthusiasts’ forums! Have you heard about the Houseparty app yet? :)
Remember, even though we are socially distancing at the moment, we are in this together! And trust me, calling someone you know would make them very happy right now! Reach out to your network of friends. When you’re in distress and/ or struggling to cope with self- isolation don’t be shy in contacting a professional help that can provide emotional support
6. Be mindful of the media you’re consuming
Stay connected but do it wisely! The news about the virus hits us pretty much the minute we wake up, when we turn TV or radio on. This can fuel anxiety.
If it helps you to feel more in control, please refer to the information provided on the government’s website, which is the most up-to-date information. But avoid over-consuming news coverage as well as fake news and stipulations about the virus circulating online. Consider logging off social media until the panic has subsided.
As Andy Richter has said “Leaving cable news channels on all day is like listening to a deeply obsessive person obsess. It can’t be good for us. Ration that shit out” So let’s do just that, shall we? :)
7. Distract yourself
Whether that is TV, podcasts, books, online courses. There are countless lists of quarantine-friendly cultural recommendations currently floating around the internet. I literally typed in “coronavirus quarantine things to do'' and the idea of isolation wasn’t looking as grim as before! :) Take your pick!
8. Immerse yourself in nature
If you’re not in total quarantine I’d highly recommend venturing out to your local park or garden. This is a luxury that we take for granted and many of those that are housebound at the moment can vouch to that! Greenery helps us to relax, boosts our immune system, and stimulates our senses.
If you’re in self-isolation, please try to keep your windows open as long as possible to let in fresh air, surround yourself with plants and flowers, and sit by a window. Spotify and YouTube are an abundant source of nature-themed playlists which is always a great alternative.
I understand that for some people self-isolation can be boring or frustrating. You may feel lonely. Trust me though, we’re in this together! And when this crisis will pass (which it will) the world will become a better place for it. Stay safe.
Warmest wishes,
Ania xx
]]>
Generally, animal products, such as leather or fur, are pretty obvious to recognise, but others might be a little harder to spot, for instance silk, feathers, angora, pashmina, mohair, etc. These can hide in unexpected places, so I would suggest reading your clothing’s labels and brand’s policies before you make any purchase.
In this blog post, I teamed up with Alina, the founder of Cotton & Push- a super comfortable, vegan, eco-friendly and simply gorgeous lingerie brand that you just must check out! We wanted to share our knowledge and expertise, if you will, on the subject of obvious and non- obvious animal elements in fashion. Grab yourself a cuppa and enjoy the reading!
How is silk made?
Alina: Traditional silk, harvested for centuries is made by the silkworm, a moth of the Bombyx Mori family. During its period of pupation the worm secretes fibroin (a liquid protein) from two glands simultaneously, creating two threads, which harden as they come into contact with oxygen. These threads are met with sericin, a bonding agent which holds them together. As you know, the worm dies in the production of silk, as the cocoon hatching means destroying the thread. The cocoon is either blasted with hot steam or placed into boiling water. This also softens the sericin leaving the silk easier to be manipulated. The threads are twisted together to weave into several varieties of silk fabric. As it takes approximately 2500 worms to create just one pound of silk, the worms must be cultivated in the billions in order to facilitate mass silk production.
Ania: Leather is made from animal skin. The animals are killed to make the material. Once an animal's skin is removed, it is preserved through a process called 'tanning' which uses strong chemicals to prevent the skin from decomposing. This process is very toxic to both the environment and people.
What is pashmina?
Alina: Pashmina is essentially the old Persian word for “made from wool,” and more specifically, from cashmere wool. Cashmere wool comes from none of the apt names cashmere goat, who’s winter undercoat is extremely soft and downy, making it a cash product in the commercial world. The cashmere goat family is broken up into different breeds, differentiated by region of the world, and pashmina wool comes from those several varieties.
Is wool ethical?
Alina: A tricky question to answer. Instinctively and traditionally, ‘mulesing’ (cutting skin from the buttock region without anaesthetic) the sheep was done to avoid flystrike, where blowfly eggs latch onto the sheep’s skin and its larvae feed on the sheep’s tissue. However, these days shearers are paid by volume of wool they cultivate not by the hour, so regard for pain of the animals in question sometimes suffers. Skin as well as ears or tails are often cut off in the fast process. Wool is so massively used in fast fashion garments (even if just 5% on a cheap Christmas jumper) that these animals are still treated like products, even if not put down for their coats. If you were to ask me if wool is good for the environment I would have to say that it is. It’s biodegradable and naturally produced, therefore less energy demanding to produce than synthetic fibres. However, there is no reason why we can’t recycle wool, and make use of the wool already in existence. Furthermore, we have the means to cultivate alternatives such as cotton flannel, which is also incredibly insulating and naturally biodegradable.
What animals are used for clothing?
Ania: Today, cows have become the dominant herd animal across the globe, due in large to their hardiness as well as ability to provide both meat and dairy in large quantities. But also pigs, goats, sheep, crocodiles, snakes, sting rays, seals, emus, deer, fish, kangaroos, horses, cats and dogs are used to make leather. Even baby animals don't escape the leather industry- with the skins of calves and lambs considered particularly valuable because of their softness. In some places lambs are killed in their mother’s womb, even before being born!
How is fur made?
Ania: Similarly to leather, animals ultimately die for us to wear fur. There is no fur product that is not marked by the tremendous suffering or death of an animal. Animals on fur farms are forced to spend their entire lives in confined, filthy cages. In order to maximise the expanse of the fur pelt, farmers kill the animals by suffocating, gassing or poisoning them, or by inserting an electrified rod into their anuses and electrocuting them from the inside out.
A common presumption is that it is only foxes and minks that go through such a horrific treatment but many cats and dogs are also used for their skins and suffer the same intense confinement and brutal killing methods as other animals used in the fur industry.
What animals used for clothing are endangered?
Ania: Humans unthinkingly use animal products for nothing but vanity and need to stay on trend. The fashion industry has a third impact on animal life through its effect on biodiversity. Starting from practices of land clearance for agriculture, and agricultural and industrial pollution, to climate change. All these significantly affect and reduce biodiversity, which leads to a loss of animal habitats and species right across the world.
Below is the list of ten poor animals that are most commonly killed for clothing and on the brink of endangered species.
The above is a very general overview of the problem and general misconception around the subject of animals used for clothing. Please have a look at our blog posts: What is vegan leather?, How to dress cosy without using wool or fur? and The importance of sustainability in fashion for more information about the matter. And as always, I finish off by appealing to you and asking to look for alternatives and support the companies that are committed to cruelty-free, eco-friendly fashion. For some inspiration please head over to Vegan fashion- my favourite vegan brands and where to find them guide. We don’t have to sacrifice animals to look fashionable!
Alina is the founder of Cotton and Push, a vegan and cruelty-free lingerie brand. On a personal note, Alina’s super friendly and kind person. She’s a hu-mum to 4 rescue furry babies which makes me love her even more! Check her brand’s platforms as per the below:
]]>
Sadly, it couldn’t be more far from the truth! Although we don’t obtain wool by killing sheep as such, they ultimately die for us to wear wool! That's because once sheep stop producing wool, which happens after a few shearing rounds, they are sent off to slaughter houses. Some also die as a result of poor farming conditions. And it goes without saying that shearing is extremely stressful to the sheep and can result in serious injuries.
Also, let’s not forget about the Ugg boots that require both sheep wool and sheep skin, where wool is worn on the inside, skin as an outer layer. In this case, sheep is actually killed for the product.
Another horrific instance where wool production and the sheep are seen as “products” is breeding and domestication of Merino wool sheep. The breed have extra folds in their skin so there is more wool created per sheep. If Merino wool sheep are not sheared frequently enough, they can die from heat exhaustion and other issues related to too much wool being produced. That said, they are often sheared in the early spring before it is actually warm enough for them to be comfortable without their wool, and as a result some die from exposure.
What do you wear instead of wool?
There are so many other beautiful fabrics that can keep us warm without harming a single animal. This might require more time and browsing around but it’s just so worth it! And please make sure to read the labels!
Instead of wool, you can wear some of the many natural vegan fabrics that don’t involve animal cruelty. There are high-performing vegan fabrics that are the perfect combination of soft and sustainable.
For example, organic cotton. Organic cotton is grown without harmful chemicals and doesn’t destroy ecosystems. In fact, it’s known to improve soil quality and often uses less water. Like other vegan fabrics, organic cotton is easier to clean than wool, faster drying, and softer to the touch.
Ivana and Carla, founders of a beautiful brand petitTembo say: “at petitTembo when it comes to eco-friendly sustainable and animal-friendly fabric, organic cotton makes all the difference. It promotes biodiversity from rich soil to safe habitats. It is 70% rain-fed which reduces pressure on water sources. And it’s also the best choice for us and our kids. It’s grown without any fertilizer or harsh chemicals. It’s safer, softer, more durable and more breathable than wool. Some of our favourite organic cotton fabrics for the colder seasons are organic cotton fleece and organic cotton french terry. They are not only extremely durable but also superiorly soft. Beautiful fabrics that are as kind to the animals as they are to kids’ skin.”
PetitTembo is organic, ethical and sustainable children's clothing for the little changemakers. Giving back is at the core of their brand’s ethos and 20% of petitTembo’s net profits is equally divided and donated to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Kisumu Hope Restoration Centre. Please make sure to check them out and support!
Layer! You can find plenty of lightweight warm layer pieces that don’t add bulk but keep you toasty.
Add a scarf. Scarves are always a plus for an outfit, and keeping your neck warm is one of the keys to staying warm all over. This one comes in rust or blue and is made of a soft acrylic.
One of the trickiest concerns for any conscious fashionista in a cold climate is finding a winter coat that does not compromise on their values nor the style! There are, fortunately, more and more brands leading the way in this area both in terms of vegan options. For example, the UK based faux fur coat company, The Furry Tales. Here’s what she says about their beautiful coats:
“It is hard to be stylish and ethical at the same time. Our mission is to change the way we look at fashion and show that you can dress lush without being cruel to animals. This is where we contribute to change the world. Our coat fabrics are not just ethical – they are designed for weather protection, insulation, and comfort, with super pretty textures and flirty drapes that are not only ultra- chic but very much affordable! My absolute fave is the leopard print one- this piece can effortlessly leverage any look!
The above is a very rough overview of the problem and general misconception around the subject of how wool is produced. Please look for alternatives and support the companies, like petitTembo and The Furry Tales, that are committed to cruelty-free, eco-friendly fashion. We don’t have to sacrifice animals to keep warm and look fashionable!
]]>I have briefly touched on it in my previous blog post (which I encourage you to have a read through by the way ;)) but since the matter is quite serious (and I’m not being sarcastic!) I thought I would share my tips on how to find the perfect handbag. This subject is topical not only during the festive season but all year round.
I’ve spent a good few years on a quest to find a perfect handbag that will not only fit all my “stuff” but also look good. I’m a truly practical person so I value things that generally work for me, including my handbag. And there’s nothing worse than trying to find your train ticket whilst running with the crowds of joyful rush hour commuters, or finding yourself embarrassed at the checkout point with your bag on the floor, frantically trying to locate your payment card (or phone- I recently joined the contactless phone payment gang!). I have been there, I have done that. And I will never do it again. Nor will you if you are willing to take the below steps into considerations whilst handbag shopping. And I promise you, you don’t have to sacrifice fashion over form at all!
So, what makes the perfect handbag and what handbag should I buy, you ask? Well, the perfect handbag, in my opinion, should zip shut. Handbags that snap shut or don't have a closure might work for you but they certainly don’t work for me. And before you say anything I need you to remind yourself all the instances where the entire content of your bag spilled out everywhere, i.e. when sitting next to you on the passenger seat in the car, on the bus, etc. You get my point.
(Do we have anyone here that this not happened to them? Please let me know in the comments section below.)
Bottom line, zipper closure keeps you more organised, and also- safer. There’s no way someone can reach and grab anything that is sitting nicely in your purse when it's zip closed.
When it comes to investing in a bag, size does matter! Beyond the style, the second most important aspect of a forever-in-rotation handbag (and this is your sustainable goal, by the way) is the size. I think the bag should not be too deep, otherwise it becomes a black hole. All your stuff floats to the bottom and stacks on top of each other. This makes it really hard to find what you are looking for.
A bag needs to be able to stand on its own too. It’s a biggie for me. Even though I like the look of hobo bags, functionality is imperative when choosing a handbag.
A purse needs to be lightweight and look nice. I want to make sure that the handbag I buy is durable and timeless.
When perfect handbag shopping, I consider the above factors as well as what colour handbag goes well with everything. And by "everything" I don’t mean everything around you, I mean the colour of the clothes you’re wearing the most. Handbag is a piece of accessory, it should compliment your whole outfit but it also allows you to have a bit of fun too. I understand that black bags are the most commonly used. We are kind of "defaulted" to black ones, which is OK, but there are other great, but there are also other non-season-specific options that don’t bind you to black colour all the time, i.e. camel, tan, and gray are also considered timeless and versatile classics. My little piece of a friendly advice- stay away from white, bone or any lilac shade, which typically requires too much upkeep. Also, to add a little somethin’ to your casual handbag, add a scarf to the handle for a pop of colour or a faux fur pompom for seamless transition into autumn and winter season.
Your handbag shouldn’t get in the way of your lifestyle, it should complement it. There are a lot of elements that go into the decision on what handbag should I buy. Those are very unique to every woman, i.e. their job, things they find useful on the go, how they spend their time, etc. Also, you need to ask yourself, if this purchase if for purpose or pleasure, do you need it or just want it?
Once we’ve made your decision, the fun part begins- shopping. Now, where to buy a handbag? You’ve number of options, starting from an old school boutiques, department stores, high street or the Internet. I do my shopping online. Unlike items of clothing, there’s no worry that the handbag might not fit * (if it’s a crossbody you’re after, please check the strap dimensions though). Pretty much all the clothing and designer stores have their presence online so handbag shopping has never been easier.
Should you shop high street or designer? Well, a designer handbag will stand the test of time, it comes with an unspoken guarantee (as well as an actual warranty policy) on its quality and durability. It is a designer piece not a counterfeit. You won’t see such being worn by mass which makes the handbag more special than any of its fast fashion cousins. Designer bags offer you the best craftsmanship. It is not surprising that a bag is the first place that most women start when entering the world of luxury fashion.
I wholeheartedly support investing in a more durable and sustainable brands. Having said that, I understand that high-end designer bands are out of reach for a lot of us as those would cost you upwards of £1,000, easily. Good news for you, though, there are a lot of emerging designer brands, like FERRON, icon-in-the-making that are providing more affordable luxury pieces. Which is fantastic because that means more women can afford handbags as unique as their personalities.
What are your tips on how to find the perfect handbag? Where do you buy your handbags? Do you invest in designer bags or? What colour handbag, in your opinion, goes with everything?
I’ve spent a good few years on a quest to find a perfect handbag that will not only fit all my “stuff” but also look good. I have always been very conscious about my expenditure and trying to invest in pieces that would last me for a longer period of time. I like handbags that are chic, stylish but also timeless and versatile. I’m not a girl that has a dozen of handbags (or more) and wear different ones for different occasions. I needed one bag that does it all. Also, what I have come to understand is that I want my bag to be better organised and more sensibly stocked. FERRON Crossbody Bag ticks off all the boxes for me! And I would encourage you to have a look at the bag capacity and dimensions. Who knows, this might be your best friend too?
Having said that, I do appreciate that every woman is different, which means every handbag (or crossbody or clutch or rucksack or tote) is different too. You need to remember that what you put in your handbag is very unique to you and should serve no one else but you. I know there are a lot of guides or “handbag essentials list for every woman” cheat sheets, and those are always interesting and fun to read but ultimately it’s up to you what you’ll keep in your handbag. You need to assess your day to day routine and determine what things you need and use the most when on the go.
My piece of advice- look for bags with detachable straps, with slots for cards or pockets. This will allow you to wear it with a casual outfit or dress it up easily, and stay organised at all times! And once you’ve found THE ONE that will hold your day-to-day essentials, care for it and treasure. Your life has just got got easier! :)
The handbag essentials that I listed below are my handbag essentials. These are things that I carry with me most of the times, that work for me and suits my lifestyle. I live in a large town in the UK, I drive, I’m in my early 30s, I’m self employed and working from home, I attend a lot of meetings locally as well as in London (30mins train ride), I don’t have kids, I’m very social, don’t wear much makeup (eyeliner, mascara, lip balm, occasionally like to wear my red lippy), I’ve a head full of curls and don’t straighten it nor I brush it (curly hair girls will probably get the idea). I’m a very organised person, using my phone for pretty much everything that goes beyond calls and sending messages, i.e. scheduling meetings, social media, emails, listening to music, research, etc . These are factors that definitely affect my handbag content.
OK, this was a very lengthy introduction but I just wanted to make sure I cover things that are imperative here. So if you’re kinda match the above personal description and looking for some inspiration when it comes to what to keep in your handbag, read on for a list of the absolute essentials. Here are the things I carry in my handbag, the order is not accidental :):
1. A good snack
Hungry Ania is a h-angry Ania. I’m thinking a packet of mixed nuts and dried fruit, Deliciously Ella Cacao and Almond Oat Bar, dark chocolate - basically anything tasty that keeps well and is easy to eat on-the-go.
2. Pack of tissues
For winter colds, for someone in the lift (US > elevator) with a bad case of the sniffles, coffee spills, badly stocked toilet cubicles, showing kindness to strangers...the list goes on and on!
3. Foldaway carrier bag
For me, it’s an absolute handbag essential and a must- have! Don’t think I need to provide reasons for carrying one?
4. Dental floss
Because you know- no one wants to see what you had for your lunch.
5. Business cards
I attend a lot of meetings so have my cards handy. You never know who you bump into, it might be FERRON’s first investor, right? :)
6. Lip Balm and Hand lotion
This is not only a winter thing for me. I think no woman should be without a good lip balm and a tube of all-over moisturiser. And if you want to feel extra spruced up and ready for after work outings, invest in a scented one!
7. Feminine products
Because YOU NEVER KNOW. Having a tampon, pad and pantyliner in your handbag means you’ll be ready for any kind of period and well prepared for co-workers' or friends' “surprises”.
8. Old school Polos
Or gum. Similarly to dental floss, because no one likes to smell what you had for lunch. Oh, and those morning coffee breaths!
9. Hair ties and bobby pins
Oh, these have proved to be be a godsend on so many occasions! Not only for my hair misbehaves but also those dreadful shirt button or skirt zipper oopsies.
10. Keys
Got the keys? Well, I do keep them in my handbag.
11. Cash
I know it's a world of contactless cards and crypto currency but they're still places that accept cash only or situations you might need some good old cash. I try to have a note in a zip-up pocket and I’m not afraid to use it when passing by a sweet and candy cart!
And this is it. This is my fully stocked handbag. Thanks to all the compartments and pockets my handbag is perfectly organised and there's still room for some extra bits and bobs.
What do you think about the above? Are you a tiny purse person or a big bag person? What books are you reading right now? Let me know in the comments section below. Looking forward to hearing from you.
]]>Now, the question is...
Before we dive deep with gift ideas for vegans I just need to mention that vegans are...just normal people! The only difference is that they made a conscious decision to ditch all animal derived products from their diet and lifestyle. Simples! So please don’t overthink what you’ll be getting them for Christmas (or any other occasion for that matter), just follow your “full-sized aortic pump” (do we have FRIENDS fans here?:)) and “veganaise” things that need to be, i.e. if your friend likes chocolate, get them vegan chocolate, if they like to cook, get them vegan cookbook! I trust you follow the idea? There’s absolutely no need for you to compromise on your or someone else's values shopping vegan! And trust me, shopping (and going) vegan is easier than you think!
I compiled a list of some of my favourite gifts for vegans to make your Christmas shopping even easier this year. And I’m sure this list won’t let you down. You can find some great kitchen tools, vegan fashion, wellness, and beauty products on the list.
Vegan Christmas presents ideas
1. Vegan scented candles | Ahimsa Soy Candles
You can never have enough candles in the winter! These eco-friendly, handmade and vegan soy wax candles come in four fragrances: lemongrass, jasmine, lavender, and rose. I absolutely love the vintage touch to their decorative cans! They are clean burning and non toxic. They only sell exclusively within the UK. The owner of the band is very helpful should you have any questions in terms of the products too!
2. Water bottle | Green Spirits
Eco conscious gift that will go a long way. And doesn’t this water bottle look cool? It’s plastic - free and leak proof. Also, 10% of the profits is donated to the charity of the month. I actually like all the products that you can find on their website and love their mission.
3. Vegan chocolates | The Veda Soul Company
The Veda Soul Company have created 100% vegan and organic, free from refined sugar decadent treats. They believe ‘emotions infuse into food during preparation’ and so put their heart and soul into their creations to ensure every crumb is filled with love. And the treats are simply yummy!
4. Jewellery | Jewellery by Juna
Jewellery by Juna’s pieces are all handmade from recycled silver and gold. Their aim is to create beautiful pieces made from ethically sourced materials. They are very unique and will enhance any look.
5. Safety razors | Rebel Shave
Rebel Shave have created plastic free, game-changing safety razors. Their razors have beautiful bamboo handles and their products are proudly zero waste. The razors are really easy to use, available in 3 different colours to appeal to everyone. It’s definitely a unisex item! I mean I’ve been using one myself for the past few months and absolutely love it! If you like to encourage men and women to make the switch to a safety razor, as it’s time to ditch the disposables, this can make a nice present for your loved ones!
6. Mens skincare | Talisman
Safia and Paven, the owners of the brand, created high quality skincare line for men. Their products are plant-based, include unexpected ingredients – like cardamom and broccoli seed! If you want to get something for your man to make him feel special, I’d say you head straight over to Talisman!
7. Instant pot pressure cooker | Instant Pot
This device makes everyone’s life easier! Well, at least the ones that enjoy preparing and eating wholesome meals at home :) I use it regularly, especially during autumn and winter months. It’s such a time saver and perfect tool in a vegan kitchen!
8. Vegan desserts/ snacks | Myshrooms
Myshrooms' snacks support the mind, body, and soul. They spike their snacks with medicinal mushrooms and tonic herbs so that you can indulge and heal with every bite. They also avoid plastic and unnecessary packaging wherever possible, doing every little bit that they can for our planet. On the personal note, I met the owner of Myshrooms a while ago at one of the vegan markets and she's just so lovely! Also, it goes without saying, their treats are absolutely delicious! Couldn't recommend them enough, and not only for Christmas!
Perfect present for a vegan
The above are just some ideas to make your holiday-perfect-present-for-a-vegan shopping a breeze!. I’d highly recommend you to check out my previous blog featuring vegan fashion brands for some vegan presents inspiration as well. And, emmm, there are also FERRON Crossbody Vegan Handbags that I’m sure would put a smile on every lady’s face :)
I hope you like these vegan gifts as much as I do!
Enjoy this very special time of the year!
]]>Vegan fashion is becoming more and more fashionable! The hope is for vegan fashion to be a norm, to go mainstream and not needing a “vegan” qualifier to be used. During the past few months (if not years!) we’ve seen luxury brands catching on with the vegan lifestyle and customers demand, and steering away from fur and leather, going fully or partly vegan!
Luxury fashion brand, Stella McCartney has always been vegan and pioneers like Loomstate, Planet Guests, Doshi and others are pushing boundaries when it comes to new standards in fashion.
Vegan clothing is any garment made without animal products. Some animal products, like leather, are pretty obvious, but others might be a little harder to spot, for instance silk, feathers, angora, pashmina, mohair, etc. Animal products can hide in unexpected places, so I would suggest to read your clothing’s labels and brand’s policies before you make any purchase.
And if in doubt, I’d recommend to head over to PETA's website, it will help you discover trendy vegan selections that will compliment and enhance your individual lifestyle. Vegan products are defined by PETA as being “clothes, shoes and accessories that contain no leather, fur, wool, skin, exotic skins or any other animal-derived fabric.”
It’s now easier than ever to search for on-trend vegan styles. There are many online marketplaces that curates the whole vegan lookbook outfit ideas for you.
Vegan fashion is possible, it’s affordable and completely ethical. There are plenty of options, whether you're looking for winter boots, laptop bag, phone case or stilettos with heels so high they should only be worn in taxis.
More and more vegan clothing retailers are popping up online and vegan alternatives are literally a push of a button away from you! Also, most of the mainstream high street stores offer animal derived-free products, so there are affordable alternatives for everyone’s budget. Just please make sure to check the label! If the information provided is unclear, I say it's about time to contact the company and ask them to clarify the ingredients, better yet, register their products with PETA, let’s demonstrate demand!
There are plenty of fashion brands out there that offer animal-friendly and cruelty-free clothing. I believe that the vegan fashion revolution will continue to grow as consumers are changing the face of the industry by demanding that designers and retailers to replace animal-derived fabrics with a cruelty-free alternatives.
Label like Stella McCartney is fairly obvious, but I can’t go without saying that she’s been a real inspiration to many other vegan brands, including FERRON. I understand that her products might be out of reach for a regular Jane but there are many other, more affordable brands and I’ll highlight some of my favourite ones below.
1. Shoes.
When I think vegan shoes I think HEXA. HEXA is a Thailand-based brand making stylish, fully vegan shoes. HEXA sources locally, pays their employees fair wages but what is most intriguing and innovative about the brand is that their suppliers follow a “closed-loop system”- use as minimum water as possible, filter it out and once clean, release is back to the environment. Their shoes as super comfortable and simply gorgeous. In my opinion they tick off all the boxes.
Check them out yourself @hexabangkok
2. Clothes
It used to be challenging to be stylish and ethical at the same time. But thanks to ever- growing customers’ demand and brands like The Furry Tales, that push the fashion industry boundaries, dressing lush “without being cruel to animals” is indeed possible! The Furry Tales is a London based brand that creates stunning faux furs and hats, that are not only ultra- chic but very much affordable! I must say that I just love the leopard print one- this piece can effortlessly leverage any look! @thefurrytalesuk
Now, don’t think that junior section has been left out when it comes to vegan fashion! PetitTembo is organic, ethical and sustainable children's clothing for the little changemakers. They partner with non-profit organisations creating opportunities for parents to consume consciously, while cultivating awareness and learning among children about causes that accentuate our connection to each other and to the natural world. Giving back is at the core of their brand’s ethos. 20% of petitTembo’s net profits is equally divided and donated to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and Kisumu Hope Restoration Centre. Elephant illustrations printed on their shirts were created by the children from Kisumu Hope Restoration in honour of Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. PetitTembo is a purpose driven brand. Every purchase creates change. Planting the seeds of a kinder world. Their products are responsible choice, made from the softest 100% organic cotton holistic manufacturing. All our products are designed and made in Vancouver, Canada. I say, go and check them out @petittembo!
3. Accessories
Add a trendy twist to your everyday look with Nothing New by Ruthie Ru and Laura Zabo’s accessories! Both brands are not only vegan but very sustainable!
Ruthie creates unique upcycled, eye- catching statement jewelry using only things that would otherwise end up in landfills, i.e. vinyl records!
At Laura’s shop you can find vegan jewelry, belts, shoes and different types of harnesses (yep, I think I managed to catch your attention here, did I? :) All made of tires and bicycle inner tubes! And man, they look absolutely awesome!
Show both of the ladies some love and spam their Instagram accounts with lots of hearts.
4. Lingerie
Oh and let’s not forget about our undergarments! For that I have so much love to this brand and don’t want to do any unwittingly injustice, I’ll quote what lovely Alina, Cotton & Push owner has to say about her products! Alina says:
“We believe that Lingerie needed a re-birth, a re-branding. Cotton & Push Ltd. produces all empowering, all plant based and all sustainable, organic Lingerie. Undergarments should be about more than just sex appeal. They are your intimate armour, and they should reflect your conscious values. Our garments are made from certified organic and biodegradable fabrics such as bamboo, organic cotton and Tencel. They are skin-friendly and soft to the touch. All our manufacturing occurs in the UK, where we can oversee each part of production. Cotton & Push are extremely passionate about pairing sustainability, allure and divine comfort, making out products the holy trinity of Luxury Lingerie.”
Warning- once you enter Cotton & Push’s world you will never want to go back! :)
These brands are in aid to make you look good without the need for you to sacrifice your morals! Vegan shopping has never been so easy.
Still struggling to put your vegan outfit together? The below short but mighty list of vegan fashion bloggers will make your live twice as easy. These fashion bloggers manage to stand out despite all the hashtag game out and are most relevant to me. So I’m going to say a couple of words about them today. If vegan and ethical fashion and being updated is your thing, you need to follow them, and here’s why:
Noa Style with a Smile
I’ve followed Noa for about a year now and I absolutely love what she does and has been doing for the past few years! Noa loves writing, and loves animals even more! She combined two passions and created a blog that is all about a lifestyle with a conscience. Noa investigates vegan, fair and innovative fashion, travel, food and lifestyle products. She’s based in Israel but travels, predominantly in Europe. Her outfits are always immaculately put together.
Noa does her research thoroughly, she writes really good blog posts and talks about what she really cares about; sustainability, veganism, animal liberation, and obviously- vegan fashion!
Sruti from Love and blossoms
London-based vegan fashion blogger is well known in the vegan fashion community for her classy outfits and stylish to-be-Pinterst’d pictures (she actually has a very extensive Pinterest page too!) I don’t know any other vegan blogger as elegant as Sruti!
Sruti is also a great fitness and wellness advocate and a very successful entrepreneur. She’s the author of “Design your life”, a motivational e- book and an owner of vegan fashion brand called “The Cherry Blossom Closet” where 10 percent is donated to Love and Blossoms Foundation charity.
Sruti has a website, Instagram, and of course the book that I would highly recommend checking out!
Despina from Learn to Love Our Earth
Despina has a YouTube channel, Instagram, and a website – I highly recommend checking out all three. Just like Sruti, she’s the owner of a sustainable clothing line, Green Spirits. I actually need to get a hold of one of her gorgeous sweatshirts myself!
Despina’s sense of style is modern, more on a rebellious side in my opinion (that’s why I love it!) and as “green” as possible as she’s always on the lookout for the sustainable staples. She explains where each item of clothing is from, what are the ethics behind each brand, etc.,, which I find very informative!
She’s very honest, promotes the people behind the vegan fashion brands and show how stylish vegan fashion can be. I absolutely admire Despina’s approach to fashion and respect her opinions.
Anca Monica
Anca Monica is a fabulous vegan fashion model and her fashion sense is very unique and original. She made a name for herself with her campaigns with vegan fashion brands such as LaBante, Noxbridge, Fabrikk, Washala, Emroces, and FERRON!
Anca’s on Instagram, where her account is growing from day to day. She also has a website and updates it with a very informative blog posts, which I would recommend to have a read through.
Anca Monica is as compassionate as she is beautiful, she’s an outspoken environmentalist, regularly taking to social media platforms to share her views on veganism, animal cruelty and is happy to spread awareness of these issues whenever possible.
www.ancamonica.com
There are many more vegan fashion bloggers that I have met, both on the Internet and in real life, and they all are game changers and taking part in the fashion industry transition to providing vegan and more sustainable alternatives. FERRON is proud to be one of the game changing brands too!
]]>There are a handful of luxury handbag brands that produce their bags in Europe. It is safe to say, however, that the majority of brands outsource elsewhere. And I’m absolutely not using it as an excuse for my brand’s handbags being produced in China. I’m actually quite proud and couldn’t be more excited about FERRON’s extended team over in Guangzhou. And I want to make sure that you, as a customer, are fully informed on where your goods are coming from. I would encourage you to review your favourite brands’ pages to learn more about their policy.
Many luxury fashion brands started investing in production outside of China, particularly in Vietnam and Bangladesh, where safety issues persist years after two workplace accidents killed more than 1,000 workers. Manpower is much cheaper in South and Southeast Asia, working conditions are questionable, to say the least, and everything is mass produced.
FERRON handbags are cruelty-free and sustainably made in the sweatshop free environment. The factory is a small, family owned business based in Guangzhou, one of the richest provinces of China, and it has one of the highest purchasing power in the world hence the workers are paid significantly higher wages to cover their living expenses.
Here, at FERRON, we listen to what the customers' needs are, we offer pre-orders option and chose to have more sustainable inventory model than a regular fashion brand. Nothing is ever mass produced for FERRON- our handbags come to life in a small batch runs to prevent us from facing one of the biggest issues prevailing in the fashion world - unsold stock!
Nonetheless, we try to get the products to the market as quickly and as efficiently as possible. China is one of those markets that meets our requirements at the lowest rates and maintain international competitiveness. Outsourcing in China enables FERRON to cut operating costs. Having said that, we make sure that the whole factory is run with a fair labour, social justice and sustainability mission.
Outsourcing production allows us to get to market sooner than if we had to build our own factory, acquire equipment and hire employees. In addition, it brings production closer to Asian and European markets, which is ideal as the goal for FERRON is to expand our global footprint and improve our business growth. The Asian market is growing at an incredible rate!
Impressions from my visit to the factory
We’ve been producing our bags in this beautiful country since the day we started, but this was my first visit and I was looking forward to meeting people that I’m in touch with on a regular basis, getting a better understanding about some of the challenges and opportunities that are inherent to FERRON handbags production.
I wanted to say hi and spend some time with people that help me make my dream come true! And there’s nothing better than face to face meeting whilst sipping their traditional tea.
It’s an interesting feeling, traveling such a long way to visit the origins of something that has been so much a part of the business over the last couple of years!
I’m not sure what I expected and had in mind going over to China but I definitely wasn’t expecting to see what I have seen!
Working conditions at the factoryI was absolutely amazed by the working conditions in the factory! The factory is placed quite closely to Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport. It’s a two floor building. The workshop is based on the first floor- it’s an open plan room, very spacious, clean and bright. Everyone has their own designated workspace. I didn’t expect to see is how automated and advanced some of the work stations are!
For example, there’s an airport luggage-alike-carousel that moves with the touch of a button and distributes various parts of the bag (and I promise you, there are a lot of separate parts that need to be sewn together for FERRON handbag to look the way it does!). This means that the employee does not have to be walking from one station to another whenever they need something!
The ground floor is the employees’ canteen where they can rest and eat the food prepared for them by an in-house chef. Yes, you read it right! Just outside of the building, there’s this little annex converted to the factory’s kitchen, where the freshly made food is served to the employees daily. The surroundings of the factory is beautiful too. There’s a little garden where everyone is welcome to take their break.
The whole factory is vegan, you will not find any animal derived products in there, no animal-based glues or stitching! It’s a family owned business that pays fair wages, medical insurance and offers regular working hours (8 hours with 1 hour compulsory lunch break). I want to build on that and use that ethical model as I move forward.
Who makes FERRON bagsFERRON bags come to life thanks to an amazing bunch of people! I was told that our Signature Crossbody Bag is the second of the most difficult handbags that were ever made on their site! I take it as a compliment, so does my team at the factory. We all like the challenge!
As I mentioned earlier, the factory is a family owned business that employs only experienced and professional craftsmen that are amazing at what they do! I was privileged to have seen them in “action” and I have nothing but a lot of admiration for the superb work they do and willingness to take this difficult project on.
There's so much that goes on for the handbag to come into existence and I’m not going to go into too much detail. However, I want to use this opportunity to thank my colleagues that I dearly appreciate and feel very fortunate to cross my path. There are a number of people that make sure FERRON bespoke quality is achieved. And I’m thankful for all of them. The below are just a few that are significantly important to me.
Thank you Anderson, for not only being my first point of contact, friend, business advisor, but also a tour guide during my recent visit! We both said that it feels as if we’ve known ourselves forever. Probably due to lengthy WeChat conversations that we have pretty much every day! Anderson calls me “older sister”(yes, yes, I’m 10 days older!!).
Thank you Juan, the production manager, for being very diligent and thorough, overseeing every single step of the production process. Juan never rushes through, his attention to details is uncanny!
Thanks to Loretta, for assembling individual pieces, and doing it with a smile. She’s really passionate about bags, and it really shows. Loretta’s been with the company for nearly 10 years now.
Thanks to Bruce, a quality assurance manager, to triple checking my bags before marking it “complete”. You’re the best! Can’t wait to see you again!
As I now sit at home, on my sofa, whilst sipping a genuine Chinese green tea (gifted- Anderson’s Mum made it!), I started to realise just how important trust, relationship and dialogue is for maintaining any collaboration. And I’m happy to say that these aspects are definitely met when it comes for FERRON outsourcing in China.
]]>
Animal documentaries can have a monumental impact in creating a vegan world. Cowspiracy uncovered the shocking truth about the environmental impact of animal agriculture on our planet, while animal cruelty documentary, Blackfish, was the catalyst to the eventual banning of orcas in captivity. Every time a new vegan documentary is released, it has the power to start conversations, open minds, change habits and effect change.
Hogwood: a modern horror story is the biggest exposure of modern pig farming in the UK. It follows the Viva! Campaigns team as they enter Hogwood Farm for the very first time and documents what they discovered beyond the factory farm walls. It records the public outcry and exposes the negligence and inaction by government bodies and corporations alike. They went back again and again – four times in all – and despite all the reassurances, little had changed.
Hogwood was one of Viva!’s most far-reaching campaigns to date. The investigation and subsequent protests gained press coverage nationwide. The Daily Mail ran an exposé uncovering the abuse in 2018 and 2019, and many more national titles followed suit.
The Sunday Mirror, BBC, London Economic, Daily Star, and Plant Based News, all ran stories on the Hogwood horror farm. Regional newspapers such the Bristol Post, Evesham Journal and Ledbury Reporter also jumped in on the action and our director, Juliet Gellatley, did back-to-back radio interviews for regional radio stations across the UK.
Some may recognise the face of our narrator as Bronn of the Blackwater, the charismatic ‘sellsword’ in the HBO hit series Game of Thrones. British actor, Jerome Flynn, is also known for his roles in ITV’s Soldier, Soldier, BBC/Amazon Prime's Ripper Street, and being one half of Robson and Jerome!
Jerome is vegan and campaigns for animal welfare and rights. He is therefore a clear choice to narrate Hogwood: a modern horror story, especially since it was Viva!’s founder Juliet who inspired Jerome to go vegan 5 years ago!
"It is an honour to be presenting this very important film. After seeing the horrendous conditions and animal abuse that is happening behind Hogwood’s walls I had to do something. The pigs of Hogwood aren’t just meat products, they are sensitive, emotionally aware beings just like us and they deserve better than this." Jerome, on filming for Hogwood: a modern horror story.
This is a true story. It's not an easy story to tell nor is it an easy story to hear. But it is one that we must all share. Help Viva! get the truth out there.
Want more detail about what they're funding? Please head over to Viva!’s website or email them at crowdfund@viva.org.uk.
It is not only ethical reasons but also environmental benefits that encourage vegan lifestyle. The livestock required to produce meat, dairy—and leather—takes up the majority of the world’s farmland, it is responsible for more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation systems combined, and ultimately contributing to climate change. It also takes an enormous amount of water to grow crops for animals to eat, clean factory farms, and give animals water to drink.
The list of cons of animal agriculture is long and I will not go into it in more detail than the aforementioned as I think it is enough of valuable reasons to at least consider vegan leather as an alternative for the animal-sourced material.
But is vegan leather really that sustainable? What exactly is vegan leather? What is it made from? And will it last as long as animal leather? This article is a short briefing that unravels the pros and cons of vegan leather and can be used as a starting point for further research about the material.
Vegan leather is an ethical, sustainable, and cruelty-free fabric that resembles the look and feel of traditional leather. It does not use animal skin or animal-derived ingredients, i.e. stitching, hardware, glue. Vegan leather has a couple of different names, including "faux leather", "vegan leather", "PU leather" and "pleather”.
Most vegan leather is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyurethane (PU), which are plastic-based materials. It can also be made from innovative and sustainable materials such as pineapple leaves, cork, apple peels, other fruit waste, and recycled plastic and used to create products that put animal skins to shame.
Vegan leather comes in several different forms and qualities, so some are more 'leather-like' than others. Generally speaking, and focusing on good quality vegan leather, there isn’t that much difference to real leather. Faux leather, however, is typically a lot cheaper than real leather products. This is because it’s cheaper to produce pleather than it is to produce real leather.
The natural leather, i.e. apple leather is yet to be tested for their durability, it is not widely produced and cannot be produced with a smooth texture finish. Pineapple leather, Piñatex, currently requires a polyurethane coating during production and just like an apple leather, there are limitations to its production and durability assurance.
Quality and durability are important factors that the customer takes into consideration when purchasing a handbag, or any other fashion items. They often compare vegan to real leather. Vegan leather is often a lot thinner than real leather and much more lightweight which is great for fashion as it makes it potentially easier to work with. Vegan leather can come in different standards of quality and as with real leather, the higher the quality, the longer it will last. Faux leather, when cared for properly, is very durable.
Most of vegan leathers are waterproof and do not require the application of waterproofing sprays. Faux leather made from Polyurethane (PU) has similar properties like that of plastic and it does not absorb water.
However, some kinds of faux leather goods are processed by mixing PU with natural fibers such as cotton or wool. Its is advised to check the brand’s website, the item’s label or contact the company for further advice on how to apply waterproofing sprays for protection against moisture.
Vegan leather materials are one of the easiest ones to maintain and taking care and cleaning faux leather is much more simple than taking care of a leather counterpart. All it is needed for it is a bit of mild soap or detergent with warm water and a couple of clean cloths. First step is to wipe down the dirt with a clean, soft cloth dipped in the solution. After spot cleaning is finished, use a clean, damp cloth to remove any soapy residue that might be lingering on the bag. Soap left behind on the bag can dry out the vegan leather and cause it to crack, so you want to make sure you get it all off before you let the bag dry.
Finally, use a clean, dry cloth to remove any excess water from the bag and let it air dry.
There are also a number of products that will cover the surface of the faux leather to prevent high temperatures and sun rays from drying up and cracking the surface. Such products can also help to soften the material.
Faux leather fabric must not be treated with an alcoholic beverage whenever it has a stain! Alcohol can deteriorate the material and make it extremely weak and damaged.
Faux leather does stretch, perhaps not as much as real leather. Vegan shoes, for instance, will soften with wear. And just like with a real leather product, a little more room could be achieved by applying pressure on the material over a period of a few days. During this period it is recommend packing the shoes with newspaper or wearing thick socks and wear the shoes.
The process of stretching fake leather needs to be imperceptible and gradual to minimise the risk of it cracking hence taking a vegan leather item to a cobbler is not recommended. It is best to avoid it altogether.
In an interview with Vogue, Stella McCartney explained that vegan leather should be seen as more than just an “alternative” — it should be embraced for the high-quality product it can create. She said, “I think one of the biggest compliments I can receive is when I know people go in and buy a Falabella bag [name of the bag offered in Stella’s line] or a pair of shoes, or a faux-leather skirt, and they have no idea they’re not real leather. I think that’s really where it becomes sexy — where you’re not just providing an alternative for someone who is vegan. You’re creating a great product.”
McCartney also counters the common argument that leather is better than its faux counterparts because is a natural material, hence it is biodegradable.
“An animal decomposes when it’s natural, but after all the chemical treatments [applied] to a leather handbag, it isn’t going to decompose in your wardrobe. That product is staying alive because of the chemicals that have been put on it — because if you just had a dead animal in your closet, it would be a very different situation.”
The sustainability factor of vegan leather is a hot topic and the definite answer to this question remains wide open. The goal for plant-based technological advancements and innovations is to make 100% natural faux leathers completely accessible and on a mass scale. When and if this will happen, only time will tell.
Until then, what we know about vegan leathers is that they offer a cruelty-free alternative to animal leather, which is the most important factor to most vegans and vegetarians, including myself. And we will certainly be seeing more vegan leather products in the near future, as more and more well established fashion brands pledge to eliminate fur and animal skins used on their runways, i.e. Prada goes fur- free, Chanel is offering a gold boater hat made from Piñatex. The future of luxury is not animal leather.
]]>Record 12,000 vegan activists took part in London The Animal Rights March on August 17th 2019.
It was an amazing day! I loved everything about the march- its mission, vision and unbelievably beautiful energy of all of us marching the streets of London and demanding an end to the exploitation of animals.
]]>
London’s only vegan fashion and beauty show was back for its second consecutive year, featuring catwalk shows, workshops and more than 100 of the best independent and well-known brands. FERRON was one of them and has been introduced to the audience as a luxury vegan handbag brand.
The show was held at the Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane on August 10th.
“It’s compassion-led but it is absolutely style-led, too,” says event organiser Sarah Lindsay. “This show is for anyone interested in creating a fashionable, sustainable, ethical wardrobe and ensuring their beauty products are beautiful for animals and the planet, too. Bare Fashion is a wonderful celebration of compassion and fashion”
At the heart of the event was the catwalk which was the most exciting part for FERRON. This was our debut on the event’s stage. The catwalk was to showcase and celebrate vegan and cruelty- free brands. It featured 30 looks from high street to high end, including garments made from recyclable plastic, Tencel and Orange Silk. Every aspect of the event was vegan, from the products used to the models.
Paul Mitchell was the show’s official hair partner, while Kat Von D was the catwalk make-up sponsor.
Bare Fashion, we shall see you next year! :)
]]>
September issue of British Vogue not only includes a conversation between The Duchess of Sussex, Meghan and former US First Lady, Michelle Obama but also features stars and celebrities, such as Jane Fonda, Salma Hayek Pinault, Greta Thunberg, etc. to name a few.
What is also very special about this month's issue, is that it showcases FERRON in their “Consciously Vegan” section of the magazine!!
British Vogue’s affair with vegan fashion has been ongoing for a while. Last November, they showcased a list of vegan bags “that look as good as the real thing”. The article says that according to a survey by the Vegan Society, the number of vegans in Britain has risen by 350 percent and with over 500,000 people in the UK now identifying as vegan. Numbers of vegetarian and fast fashion conscious population is on the rise too.
British Vogue reads that FERRON is a vegan handbag designer brand and that our Signature Bag is versatile, timeless and chic!
We are very grateful and proud of our logo to be featured in the magazine. Our vegan handbag brand stands for luxury and cruelty-free fashion and we are delighted that our efforts have been recognised by such a prestigious magazine.
]]>"FERRON has one goal in mind; to make cruelty-free fashion the norm while protecting the workers who make them."
"First of all, the bags are gorgeous. No matter what colour you choose (black, or navy) you are not going to be disappointed. I personally adore that black because as you can see in the picture attached below, the interior is a fiery red which contrasts perfectly with the outside of the bag."
"One of my favourite details is the elephant logo which symbolises their passion and commitment to a completely cruelty-free brand. Overall I am extremely happy with not only how beautiful the bag is, but also at the high quality of materials FERRON has to offer. The outside texture adds creates a very classy look, and the red inside is buttery soft!"
Please visit Despina's blog and YouTube channel for a full review on FERRON's gorgeous vegan handbag.
]]>
"Ania, a Polish entrepreneur, has never understood or agreed with animal exploitation. Instead of falling into despair, she decided to do something about it, and invested in an affordable vegan luxury handbag brand, FERRON, that would also give back by supporting a wildlife charity. FERRON‘s design is timeless and chic, and can be worn with business attire, for casual outings as well as on fancy occasions. Ania’s vision is to provide a versatile pieces that goes with every outfit and enhance the overall look of the owner. And the reviews on FERRON’s website and social media feed prove just that!"
"Each bag is embellished with an iconic elephant logo, which not only reflects Ania’s love for animals and makes a statement against cruelty to animals, but also represents FERRON’s support of wildlife protection projects such as Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, an elephant orphanage in Kenya."
For full review about FERRON's vegan handbag, please head over to Eluxe Magazine.
Picture taken by the talented Tevel Gilad
]]>"It is also absolutely amazing that £10 of every bag sold goes towards supporting The Sheldrick Wildlife Trust. This helps the aid of conservation efforts at SWT’s elephant orphanage in Kenya. Do you need any more reasons to love this beautiful brand that stands for compassion and change."
"Let’s talk about FERRON’S signature design : The crossbody bag in black. You can see me wearing this gorgeous bag in the pictures on this blog post. This is the perfect bag because you can wear it with a casual outfit or dress it up without the crossbody straps ( they are removable ). I love how expensive the bag looks with the gold hardware details on the zips and straps. The exterior of the bag is structured and perfectly imitates the soft feel of pebbled leather.
FERRON stands for beautiful and high-quality handbags that are cruelty-free and sustainably made by artisans that are unbelievable at their craft."
Please visit Sruti's blog for full review about FERRON's goergous vegan handbag.
]]>"With the tremendous love for elephants in her heart, Ania didn’t want to just use an elephant as the logo for the brand but also wanted to help them. That’s why, from every bag sold, Ania donates £10 to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, who operates the world’s most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program. SWT is one of the pioneering conservation organizations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa."
"As a vegan designer brand, FERRON wanted to create stunning bags of the highest possible quality with animals in mind. Therefore, their bays are made from Polyurethane (PU) and Microfiber that provide the luxury feel of real leather without harming a single animal. The exterior of the bag is structured, yet perfectly imitates the soft feel of pebbled leather that you would expect from a luxury leather bag. The stunning red lining is made out of microfiber, which is durable, yet smooth to the touch."
BAG- FERRON’s Signature Bag \\ DRESS – SECOND HAND FROM A FRIEND (SIMILAR HERE)
Picture taken by the talented Tevel Gilad
]]>