GUNAS, the ethical, vegan lux bag line, has launched their online store, with several styles for men. The GUNAS look is bold, modern, architectural and sturdy. These bags are quite high-end, ranging between $300 – $725. Many are made-to order. Use Coupon Code: SHOP15 and save 15% on your entire purchase till March, 1st, 2011.
• This new tee from Kill Shop Kill makes quite a statement, but it also is for two good causes, and I bet the ladies won’t complain or disagree. This latest collaboration with veg smut star Jessie Lee was undertaken to help her cover medical expenses incurred when she suffered a near fatal car crash on November 5, 2010. She is still recovering serious physical and brain injuries, and the purchase of the shirt helps a lot, and also promotes being kind to animals – and the ladies.
• Right on topic, and perfect for Vday, why not get some chocolate “Furious Vulvas” or “Anatomical Hearts” from Lagusta’s Luscious. These organic, vegan chocolates look amazing and taste even better.
• Speaking of not eating meat, Yahoo News reported yesterday on some updates in the world of lab-grown meat:
One pioneer in the field is Dr. Vladimir Mironov, a developmental biologist and tissue engineer at the University of South Carolina…. the lab-based approach to meat cultivation promises to be more humane than the factory-farm alternative. His research team has indeed received a grant from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) in an effort to reduce both the need for massive farms and, well, the need to slaughter animals for food.
The process is similar to how yogurt is made. “Once a meat-cell culture exists, it could function the way a yeast or yogurt culture does,” Robin wrote, “so that meat growers wouldn’t need to use a new animal for each set of starter cells.”
Awesome? Gross? What do you think?
• The Skuld Crossover Pants in hemp/tencel blend with loose-pleated top and narrow ankles, and the MN Slim Jeans in black organic cotton from Thieves are two very cool pieces. Subtle pleats with a tailored cut below-the-knee is a great shape for spring, and simple, fitted, black jeans never get old.
• Following in the footsteps of Florida, Arizona and California, Farm Sanctuary has joined with HSUS and citizens in Washington state to launch an initiative effort to prevent cruelty. Language has been submitted and signatures will be collected to qualify a measure for the ballot that will outlaw battery cages and lessen the suffering of more than 6 million hens who are currently packed in these inhumane enclosures on egg farms in Washington state. These hens spend their entire lives crammed into tiny cages where they cannot spread their wings, and whose beaks are often seared off so they do not resort to cannibalism from stress. As this initiative takes off, find out how you can get involved.
Daniel Hauff is a not a Texan, but he’s sure got the mustache for it. In an article from the Dallas Voice (Read the full article HERE), Hauff recently describes his experience as a gay, vegan, undercover investigator in Texas – which is hostile territory for all three of those characteristics. Hoff is the national director of investigations for Mercy for Animals, and is up against some serious cultural differences when he goes undercover and releases investigations like the recent fish scandal in Texas, but he takes them in stride:
“The first undercover investigation for MFA that we did that was employment-based,” meaning operatives for MFA go undercover in slaughterhouses and other animal-based industries, applying for jobs and then cataloging abuses and law violations. On the last day of the investigation just concluded in Texas, Hauff himself was wired with a hidden camera, interacting with the people in the abattoir (though he admits his duties generally don’t put him undercover).”
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• I am loving the new, bold striped ties from Jaanj. With classic combos like blue and gold, red and white, and blue and white, you can’t go wrong. Wear these with a solid shirt, and beneath a waistcoat for a more refined look. Also, the navy polka-dot bow tie is a fail-safe if you’re considering trying something new. Learning how to tie a bow tie is a long-lost rite of passage, so get on it! These are all made from microfiber satin, so 3,000 silk worms were not boiled alive to make just one pound of silk.
• Thanks to the efforts of Donny Moss, NYC’s GOTHAMIST reported on a shameful and illegal display of cruelty over the last few days:
Carriage Horses Spotted Working Illegally During “Weather Emergency”
Director of Blinders, Donny Moss, wrote to us last night pointing out Mayor Bloomberg’s declaration of a weather emergency yesterday, in which he stated: “Clearing the streets remains our number one job—and to do that, motorists should please, please refrain from driving.” However, the carriage horses were still out there working hard, and Moss wonders “how the ASPCA could have possibly allowed them to leave their buildings this morning, given the Mayor’s announcement, the dangerous conditions, and the law, which clearly states that horses should not be working under these conditions.”
Please leave a comment and let them know we appreciate their covering of this story.
The “progressive luxury” accessories line GUNAS has relaunched their website, featuring leather-free designs conceived by cofounder Sugandh. She made her debut in 2010 during New York Fashion Week with a 10 style collection. With Sugandh’s core background as an Industrial Designer, GUNAS brings home a futuristic, bold and sleek stye.
” The bags are constructed using a combination of specialty manmade fabrics that lend to the lightweight and structured look, adding years to the life of your special bag. Custom hardware, Italian zippers and attention to every detail add a seductive flair that takes the brand beyond its time.”
In addition to making these bold bags, GUNAS donates a portion of their sales to animal and environmental organizations.
Missoni’s iconic patters, colors and textures define the brand. You can get these cool cotton ties at GILT man for almost 50% off retail. GILT is invite only, so get your invite here.
• It is now widely accepted that fish feel pain. In fact, fish process pain in much the same way as mammals. A new Mercy For Animals undercover investigation provides a startling glimpse into “Catfish Corner,” a fish slaughter facility in Mesquite, Texas. Behind the operation’s jaunty name lies a grisly reality. From the water to the cutting table, fish are tortured – suffocated, skinned and dismembered, all while conscious and feeling pain. The fish in the video exhibit pronounced aversive responses to their handling, such as violently flopping and attempting to move away, suggesting that they indeed feel pain and are suffering immensely. MFA’s hidden camera video reveals:
Upon reviewing the undercover footage, animal behaviorist Dr. Jonathan Balcombe harshly condemned Catfish Corner, stating,
“Treating [fish] like inanimate things is cruel and ethically abhorrent. Handling such as that shown in the footage is extremely cruel and heartless and should be outlawed immediately.
Veterinarian Lee Schrader concurred, adding, “To subject fish to an obviously painful procedure such as the removal of their skin, while they are alive and responsive, is cruel, inhumane and without excuse.” Further, no measures were taken to stun or render the fish insensible to pain prior to skinning. According to Dr. Schrader, the fact that the animals stopped struggling only after their heads were removed suggests that their movement was a deliberate response to pain.
In the U.S. each year, approximately 8.4 billion fish are killed for food. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, more than 80% of farm-raised fish are catfish, with Texas as a leading producer. Fortunately, as consumers we have the power to spare fish – and all other animals used in food production – unnecessary pain and suffering by adopting a compassionate vegan diet.
April77′s very own Brice Partouche paid a visit to Waffle Brunch at the West Cafe yesterday, and was wearing the samples of his re-envisioned shoe-line “Good Guys”. These sustainably leather-free, faux-suede desert boots, made fairly in Portugal were pretty darn exciting. I’m eagerly awaiting the release of these, and the many other style’s he’ll have coming out very soon!
• These checkered handbags with recycled-soda-bottle-faux-suede interiors and tone-on-tone stitching are pretty manly. Matt & Nat is consistently releasing on-trend styles that combine with classic elements and colors for a worthy investment. Fairly-made, sustainably leather-free, and dashing! The previous season is on sale at an amazing discount right now as well, up to 70% off!
Our friends at the Sparrow Media Project have organized an initiative that is truly grassroots and in solidarity with the Haitian people. It has been one year since the earthquake shook Haiti to the core. Most people don’t know that only 2% of the disaster has been cleaned up, and that a shameful $1.60 out of every $100 has actually made it to the Haitian people, as large organizations cycle funds back into their own organizations. 100 Shows for Haiti is calling on promoters to put on events for Haiti across the country and around the world. Events of all kinds are encouraged! Music, art, dance, puppet show, dinner, bake-sale, you name it! All money raised will be split between two organizations: One Hundred For Haiti, and Haitian Women for Haitian Refugees.
The 100 Shows For Haiti concept was the brainchild of Maurice Mitchell of Long Beach, NY. Mitchell, is a lobbyist and community organizer who spends his days advocating for funding for public schools in lower income communities and who spends his weekends singing in the political punk band Cipher.
It’s known as the “Dolphin Death Pool.” The Mirage Hotel and Casino’s “Secret Garden and Dolphin Habitat.” Imprisoned in pools that are too shallow and too small, they’re forced to do mindless tricks for high-paying guests day after day – until they develop respiratory infections and diseases that claim their lives.The dolphins are trapped in a concrete pool next to a highway. They breathe in fumes and smog day after day. There’s no protection from the desert heat or the winter snow. Seventy-five percent die prematurely. Please sign the petition to remove this mindless attraction.
• T
he New York Times’ Diner Journal highlighted chef Ayinde Howell, a two-time Gracious Gourmand chef and the man behind Williamsburg’s very own vegan waffle brunch, which happens every Sunday at The West Cafe at 379 Union Ave. In the article, they interview Howell, a born-and-raised vegan, whose parents were in the food-service and restaurant biz. There is a fantastic recipe for enchiladas as well, so go check it out!
• Winter-sports enthusiasts can hit the slopes without hurting them (as badly). Clearing trees and wildlife for ski trails and resorts is not very eco-friendly, but another hidden danger is that most ski and snowboard waxes are made up of toxic chemicals that drain into streams, lakes and rivers when the snow melts, harming both the environment and human beings. Chemicals like PFOA has been found in the blood streams of minks, bald eagles, and more than 90% of the American population. Yikes…
The Good News- More and more companies have developed formulas that are eco-friendly and biodegradable.One example is from Magic Potion. Another Great find are these vegan snowboard boots from Burton. The are sustainably leather-free and add some flair and performance for your shredding needs.
New York Times Style
I know the wayfarer shape is classic, but let’s add some more ammo to our UV arsenal. Both sun-worshipers and mystique-seekers will find an entirely new way to see that the world is round. Plus, something about this shape just makes you look like a radical genius. Perhaps it’s the history of “teashades” (the circular sunglasses) being worn by opponents of segregation and the counter-culture icons of the 1960′s. Just as the frames have gotten thicker since the original wire-frames of the 60′s, let’s make our counter-culture presence thicker. You’ve gotta look good on your “Wanted ” posters, after all. I bet these look great on security cameras while liberating some fuzzy friends. “What is the identity of this activist“, they’ll say – “and where did he get those amazing sunglasses“?
Vintage frames from Fabulous Fannies in the East Village of NYC (check your local thrift/vintage stores too!):
Waiting for the Sun, the French cool-kid glasses company makes sustainable wood round frames, like La Une in Bamboo, or the 19.6 in teawood:
Spitfire round frames for $18.99 at Jack Threads (link to join site).
