You have been patiently waiting for NOVACAS’ Fall 2010 lineup, and here it is, 100% vegan, and sustainably leather-free . NOVACAS emerged from the phrase “No Vacas” meaning, “No Cows” in Portuguese, where the shoes are constructed under fair conditions, and consist of 100% PVC-free, high quality faux-leathers (What wrong with leather?).
Featuring last season’s smash-hit the Leo, now in black, as well as my new personal favorite, a fold-down, refined work-boot, the Milo, in both black and gray. What I love about a refined work boot is it’s versatility – great with some jeans for a autumn hike, and equally appropriate with some slacks, a blazer and tie. The shoes will be available starting Sept 15th online and in-store at MooShoes (to pre-order, email MooShoes). Click here for a list of additional stockists.
Their shiny new website was designed by DB contributor Troy Farmer of Raven + Crow.
Lu Flux is a London designer who specializes in creating unique pieces of ethical clothing that seem to emerge from fairy tales. By working with salvaged, vintage and organic fabrics, combined with traditional techniques of knitting, pleating and patchwork, the contemporary menswear and womenswear collections represent an antithesis to the modern trend of expendable fashion. The aim is to make something new out of something old, so as to consume less and reduce waste.
I spoke with Lu recently, and explained the environmental toll that livestock like sheep (wool), and cows (leather) take – even if it’s “organic”, as well as the ethical implications in general of wool and leather. I was told that there is never fur, and that Lorica (a vegan “leather”) is sometimes used. There are a few pieces in wool or leather, but Lu said, “I am thinking about using vegan Lorica for the shoes in my new collection – [and] you have put my mind in overtime with your sheep thoughts too.” I’m excited to see what sustainable, vegan creations Lu Flux will pull out of the magic hat next!
Anntian, a fresh, young label out of Berlin, Germany, utilizes regional manufacturing, ecological fabrics like organic cotton, and is continually seeking out sustainable methods and materials. These shirts are all 100% organic cotton and available at these shops , with several in the United States. The company does use some wool and silk in other garments, but they do not use fur or leather at all.
Vogue recently announced their list of top Ethical and Sustainable Designers to know, and I was inspired by Carry Somers’ hat line Pachacuti. The hat line started when Somers, on a trip to Ecuador, witnessed inequitable and polluting trading patterns where intermediaries made all the profits. Pachacuti is the first Fair Trade organization to complete the pilot for the new World Fair Trade Organization (WFTO) certification process, has a extensive sustainability initiative, and became the first international Fair Trade business to be able to put ‘Certified Fair Trade and Sustainable’ on all products. To top it off, the hats are really cool and come in so many different styles and colors. Most of the hats are cruelty-free, but I’m not crazy about the fact that some have leather (the worst possible thing to use if you care about ecology).
A lot of the others on the Vogue list lead me to ask what they think is ethical or sustainable about leather & wool? Not to toot my own horn (toot! toot!) but The Discerning Brute’s Top 20 Designers To Know by Earth Day list is a bit more accurate and informed when it comes to tackling the real ecological problems with fashion production.
My Life’s So Bright, I Gotta Wear Shades. Acetate or Silver and Bamboo Aviator Unitdot Bamboo Sunglasses, by Designer Cyrus Wong, come in 3 stylish designs and are available with a promotion price of $120. With every Unitdot Bamboo Eyewear sold, $3 will be donated to UNICEF for the orphaned street children worldwide and Excentree will donate a tree for each pair sold.
