Are you a size 9? The Discerning Brute has teamed up with NOHARM to give away a pair of snazzy vegan ankle boots in US size 9! You can easily win these handsome leather-free shoes worth $300! Wowee! So, why don’t we dig leather here at DB? Find out.
CLICK HERE to enter.
Did you know that the real-deal Gladiators were vegans? These overweight warriors who ate nothing but barely and beans shatter the pervasive stereotype of frail, weak herbivores. Analysis of the bones of more than 70 gladiators found in 2004 near Ephesus, the Roman capital of Asia Minor, contradicts traditional Hollywood images of macho carnivores with the physique of superheroes as well. Forensic anthropologists revealed these fighters had thicker bone density than their omnivorous counterparts – shattering yet another stereotype of the vegan diet; the calcium myth. How did they treat animals? That’s another story – and apparently, they didn’t actually wear sandals either. They fought bare-foot! But in accordance with the popular fantasy that they did don stylish, strappy sandals – here are a few styles to choose from that will certainly not get you a thumbs down.
Commodus in ‘Gladiator’, played by the vegan Joaquin Phoenix
If you want to look like a barbarian without actually treating cows like one, check out these Splaff Gladiators at MooShoes, made from recycled tires and hemp:
When in Rome, do as the Romans didn’t – show up in a brown toe-post sandal from Vegetarian Shoes UK. Lightweight cork mid-sole, handmade in Portugal with a padded and contoured footbed, arch support and a deep heel cup. Lined with super-soft micro-fibre fake suede. Lightweight, patterned, Microcellular outsole. Adjustable strap lined with Soft-feel synthetic felt.
If you are more of an eco-warrior into the strappy buckles thing, these Birkenstock-inspired 3 Strap Sandals with faux-suede from Vegetarian Shoes UK should do the trick.
Ladies, do not fear, your veg gladiator days are here as well from designers like Cri De Coeur, Steve Madden, and Burgois Boheme.
1. Cheap Monday, whose jeans are as inexpensive as they are tight – have made a pretty incredible vegan pilot jacket. PVC-coated polyester with a removable faux-shearling fleece collar. The pilot/bomber is a classic jacket that has rib knit cuffs and hem; 2 snap pockets at the front; and a single pocket inside.
While this jacket is technically vegan, the dangers of PVC plastics are one reason to not partake. Alas, is PVC really cruelty-free if it ends up poisoning a bunch of living things? It is certainly better than the environmental devastation associated with leather production: clearing land, raising, feeding, watering and transporting the cattle, then slaughter and tanning using compounds like chromium.
As for labor, this is from Cheap Monday: (Read their entire code of conduct here. Code of Conduct)
We believe that it is important to take responsibility when it comes to working conditions, from both ethical and social aspects as well as issues regarding production and the environment.
Couldn’t they have made this in tope (see below) or waxed canvas? sigh…
2. DB Clay‘s Version 3 wallets are dope (and tope!) Have you heard of Tope?
“Tope is a synthetic fabric similar (in texture) to a vinyl canvas. However, Tope does not contain certain hazardous chemicals typically found in most vinyl-based products. In particular, Tope contains NO PVC, Tope is made from non-toxic raw materials (it causes no dioxin, heavy metal or phthalate pollution), Tope decomposes when buried, Tope is chlorine chemicals free and Tope is fabricated through a pollutant free process. Additionally, we have engineered a tremendously technical printing process whereby we print high resolution and full photographic images using environmentally friendly inks. To top it off, Tope is also vegan and animal free.”
If you need a custom made, one-of-a-kind, tope “Puzzle Wallet” from db clay click here. They make a great gift, and a great collector’s item:
