Vegan Line Vaute Couture Launches Late Fall-Holiday 2009 Collection RIGHT NOW!

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by Michael Parrish DuDell June 18, 2009
Categories: Lifestyle.

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We told you it was coming!

Vaute Couture  – the all-vegan, all-eco, high-fashion clothing line that proves you NEVER have to sacrifice ethics for style — launched the first few items from their Late Fall-Holiday 2009 Collection at 3 p.m CST today!!!

Starting like a minute ago, you have the chance to purchase one of two brand new organic tees (with free U.S. shipping) or pre-order one of four super fashionable winter coats.

Coats are being produced on a limited run and are on Preorder Special till June 30th. Here’s the deal: if you preorder before the 30th, they’ll match your deposit as cash off your balance — that means with the maximum deposit you’ll get yours HALF OFF!

While there aren’t any male coats in the line (yet), you better believe this kid will be walking around town with a fancy new shirt!

Visit VauteCouture.com and find out what all the fuss is about! On your mark, get set, go!


Categories: Lifestyle.
  • http://thevegangoodlife.blogspot.com/ The Vegan Good Life

    More feel-good consumerism. I don’t understand why so-called eco-sites like this aren’t promoting not consuming so much (which is really what the planet needs).

    There is an abundance of already-produced second-hand clothes on the market (which are completely vegan and is the true eco-friendly option).

    Find a thrift store through this site: http://www.thethriftshopper.com/

    Also, considering organizing a clothing swap. It’s fun, frugal and you are giving clothes a second life. I did…

    http://thevegangoodlife.blogspot.com/2009/05/some-green-fashion-dont-believe-hype.html

  • http://www.onoursleeve.com Leanne Maily (Vaute Couture)

    Hello “the vegan good life,”

    I am a single individual who has dedicated my life to creating vegan options and moving forward the fashion industry to using more ethical fabrics and methods. Stylish vegan coats that are actually warm enough for a real winter have not existed until this, and in fact we use recycled and reused fabrics (our liner is 100% recycled closed loop zero waste) and our buttons are deadstock vintage buttons from a shut down factory that would end up in a landfill otherwise. I know not every method and material is perfect, but it is in supporting current options that we can move closer towards our ideals. I am curious if you are against all companies who create vegan products/alternatives (incl. food)? We could all subsist on beans and rice, yes. But can we make living vegan- compassionately- more fun and easy and therefore something that more people can take part in and therefore grow the movement, to make a bigger difference collectively?

    I am a huge fan of resale and vintage clothing- vintage etsy is my favorite shopping spot. I also love remade garments- creativity and reuse at once. But, I also believe it’s important to push the industry towards more ethical fabrics and methods, creating more so that we can create jobs for more US and local workers, and so that we can support nonprofits who are doing amazing work for the animals. I believe an important element of social ventures is to create careers that bring out the best in amazing people and can support their lives and families. If all we do is consume less, the companies who make jobs and make money are creating things with materials and methods that may not match our ideals. We want to make change within the industry towards using more recycled materials, more vegan materials, and more ethical means of production . Each part of the movement is crucial and I love how we can all work together.

    I consider my venture to be activism within the industry and have dedicated my life to it. We can make a lot of change from the inside as we hold true to our ideals no matter what.

    I respect your position on consumerism, but please know that I am not someone here to capitalize on some trend, I am vegan and an activist first and foremost. Fashion is just my vehicle, the place I saw I could put myself to use. I hope you can understand that.

    warmest,
    Leanne

  • http://www.thevegangoodlife.blogspot.com/ The Vegan Good Life

    If this company was really green, then why not do recycled-only?

    Let’s look at the prices and see how many people can afford them in a recession (or any other time):
    Bomono Coat: $506 Luxe, $405 Recycled.
    El Coat: $581 Luxe, $500 Recycled.
    Pea Coat: $371 Luxe, $298 Recycled.
    Vaute Coat: $562 Luxe, $506 Recycled

    I’ll stick to shopping in a thrift store for stylish vegan threads, and write a check directly to my favorite animal charities instead of some company doing it for me.

    I also would not compare food to clothing. While both are necessities, there is a limit to how many clothes we need.

    Bottom line, all these companies are just trying to make money, and make themselves, and their customers, feel good about a constant cycle of shopping.

    You said “If all we do is consume less, the companies who make jobs and make money are creating things with materials and methods that may not match our ideals.” They will do that anyway, but we don’t have to buy from them. Using what we have (what a controversial idea!) and picking a second-hand option as much as possible is the absolute best thing for the animals, the planet, and our wallets.

  • Michael Parrish DuDell

    TVGL-Why so harsh? Deep breaths, dragonfly.

    The company is vegan. The owner is vegan. The product is vegan. We’re all on the same team.

    It’s totally great that you try to find ways to consume less, but consumerism is part of our society and Vaute Couture is the kind that we should support!

    It’s unfair to say” Bottom line, all these companies are just trying to make money, and make themselves, and their customers, feel good about a constant cycle of shopping.”

    We all have to make money to survive and doing so by designing ethical and eco fashion should be applauded.

    Why the anger?

  • http://www.twolia.com/blogs/livin-veg/ Livin Veg

    I agree with Leanne and Michael. These vegan coats go the full mile when it comes to being vegan, eco, and fair trade. The truth is that people like to shop. So offering ethical coats that are on par in style to the big fashion houses shows that ethical can be sexy. I’m all for Vaute Couture. And if I’m going to shop “new” I’d rather give my money to a company like that any day than to the companies that don’t give a fig.

    About 60% of my clothes are second hand. About 70% of my furniture is antique. But I also own a pair of Stella McCartney shoes. Does that make me a crazy consumer who is ruining the earth? I don’t think so. The point is, every bit helps. And Vaute is definitely doing their bit to change the way consumers look at shopping and standards for products.

  • http://www.veganjapan.net herwin

    Vegan Haute Couture is a true and great and unique way of vegan activism ! Its great that somebody takes veganism to the Catwalk and gives it such a good image for fashionable people.
    that said, i never would buy a coat with a price tag of 500 potatoes and probably would go shopping with TVGL. :-P

  • http://www.thevegangoodlife.blogspot.com/ The Vegan Good Life

    Why my passion (not anger) on this issue? Because I’m very involved with local environmental causes, particularly doing clean-ups and seeing where our disposable society has led us.

    http://thevegangoodlife.blogspot.com/2009/04/not-being-silent-witness-to-events-of.html

    Many of these vegan items being hawked(i.e, Stella McCartney shoes) have a limited life span, and will end up in a landfill eventually, so I’d rather buy something already produced vs. something new. Stella McCartney has plenty of money, so I don’t need to give her $500.

    Livin Veg, do a little research to the companies you are recommending on your blog. You recommend $168 organic jeans that are made in the Philippines and a $60 t-shirt made in Peru, just because they were labeled ‘organic.’ Don’t issues like air miles matter? And if you think cheap labor is not involved (why would they be manufacturing there in the first place), the vegan wool has been pulled over your eyes. I get my jeans for $5 from the thrift store, and I got an adorable cotton top for 50 cents. Of course, those items don’t have any sexy marketing campaigns attached to them.

    Fellow vegans, I am just trying to bring awareness that like “free range chickens” and “organic milk,” things aren’t always what they seem; to not just blindly hear ‘vegan’ or ‘organic’ and not question it; and to encourage the apparent scandalous notion of not shopping so much.

    If that garners childish insults (i.e, being called ‘dragonfly’), I’m happy to take them.

    And as Michael Stipe said in R.E.M.’s Finest Worksong, “What we want, and what we need, has been confused.”

  • Michael Parrish DuDell

    TVGL- I don’t disagree with your message, but I do with your approach. I understand that you are trying to raise awareness, but you’re coming off as hostile, yo!

    One reason that I believe Ecorazzi has been so successful is that we approach serious issues with a jovial tone. People are far more receptive of a message that’s delivered in a positive way ie. service with smile, a spoon full of sugar, killing them with kindness.

    Telling Livin Veg to “do a little research to the companies you are recommending on your blog” isn’t winning you any friends or support. And quite honestly, in the business of activism we need all the friends and support we can get — especially from our peers.

    I ain’t mad at ya, yo! Your message is grand, but I think it might be time to reinvent your technique.

    And dragonfly wasn’t an insult. It was a way to lighten up the sentence. I take my work seriously, not myself.

  • http://www.thevegangoodlife.blogspot.com/ The Vegan Good Life

    Thanks Michael. This is the thing: I think people are so eager to get behind anything at all labeled ‘vegan’, they get blind-sighted the same way well-intentioned people get when they hear ‘free-range chickens.’

    LivingVeg absolutely should do her research if she’s recommending products (and she disagreed with me, so is it not fair game here?) I’m not here to make friends, I have enough of my own. I’m here to promote the truth and am glad to see a lively discussion has ensued.

    Sugar-coating vegan products (many of which are promoted on such ‘friendly’ sites as Ecorazzi) flown in from half a world away whose production is still taking a toll on our planet’s overextended resources is not for me. And it’s nothing to smile about. But if people want to pat themselves on the back for being such responsible ‘consumers’, they certainly can.

    I’m sorry if you disagree with my style. As Ingrid Newkirk says, you have to rock the boat if you want to make waves.

  • Michael Parrish DuDell

    TVGL- Again, I don’t disagree with your message. Just your approach. Rocking the boat and alienating yourself are two different things.

    “I’m not here to make friends, I have enough of my own,” isn’t, in my opinion, an effective way to get your message across.

    The wise activist WILL make friends…especially with the people on the same team.

    Approach is a quintessential part of the game. “Promoting the truth” will be a lot easier when people don’t feel threatened by the tone. Example: if someone told me “do a little research to the companies you are recommending on your blog,” I wouldn’t want to do a little research. I’d want to roll my eyes and say something nasty. There’s another way to say that — a friendly, more approachable way that in this bloggers humble opinion is more “effective.”

    I think we’ve just hit a fundamental difference in our philosophy.

  • jamie lynn

    i think TVGL brings up a great point. we need to stop producing and consuming so much, period, whether it’s organic or vegan or what-have-you.

    recently i saw a gown i wanted for an upcoming ball in the store–it was over 100$! i waited. prom season ended, and sure enough, the EXACT gown in a size 2 made its way to my local Goodwill where i purchased it for 12 dollars. that’s one less gown that had to be made, and i saved nearly 100 dollars in the process.

    we as a society need to be more resourceful and less interested in exploiting resources to fulfill our need for instant gratification.

  • http://www.onoursleeve.com Leanne Maily (Vaute Couture)

    TVGL-

    I have to say I’m almost shocked that you can’t see we are on the same side… if you could see the long term results of what I am trying to do, maybe that would help. Or maybe if you lived in Chicago and were vegan and a girl- that could be all that’s needed to clarify the need for a stylish vegan coat. Or if you had ever tried to push the industry and create a new vegan option for something, you’d understand the limitations and costs associated, and all that. but, cool. I’ll try to explain in clearer terms. (Side note to clarify- our coats start at $150 on preorder.)

    1. I would LOVE to use all recycled fabrics. Wow, that would be fantastic if I had a magic wand to choose whatever fabrics I wanted and they would be perfect in style and warmth and everything. I did eight months of full time fabric research for this first line and continue every single day. We offer a completely recycled option but it is not up to the level of weather-proofness that we are aiming for. It is crucial that the first line we offer can represent vegan options as on par in function and style to conventional ones. Completely vegan WINTER ready coats are not very common- stylish ones are obsolete. Oh, if I had a magic wand- that would be awesome, but it’s just not that way. Industry change and developments take time, steps, and patience.

    2. I would also LOVE to offer the coats for under $100! That would be a dream come true. Unfortunately, how much would that leave for the workers who make the coats? And those who make the fabric? Every level of the process being as ethical as we can-including living wage production in Chicago, my hometown, means we have to pay each level of the process their due, otherwise we would be exploiting others for the sake that some can afford them? Believe me, I am in complete and utter debt and will be for quite some time because I have dedicated my life to creating fashion that is comparable in style and function, while pushing the industry in ethics. If you notice the special we are offering right now, it means the coats are half off, starting at $150, and this preorder special allows us to fund our production run because we are a completely self funded (AKA my own life savings), startup. Did you hear that? We are a startup. A one person startup. me. I have a feeling you think all businesses are big corporations with lots of money– I will not make much of anything off of the preorders at this price, but, they will allow us to fund production and create more for fall, and therefore survive and continue to develop more vegan options.

    3. You mention the recession… interesting also. Productivity levels increase with startups- new businesses means new jobs means more for everyone… a win win on each level. It means we can also create more money for nonprofits directly- contributions from individuals is fantastic, but as a business we are making more to give them on top of what you donate (that in normal businesses would go to the stockholders or back into development). And yes, new companies/jobs/higher productivity also means individuals have bigger budgets to buy necessities like a versatile quality winter coat to use for years to come… speaking of which…

    Food vs. Clothing. Your view is very interesting to me that you say clothing is not as necessary as food– to some extent sure, but anyone who has experienced a Chicago winter or similar might tell you otherwise. We might say a winter-ready stylish coat is a near to necessity (um, at least on par in need with the delicious vegan ice cream my good friends at Chicago Soydairy make… or the likes…). because here we practically live in coats for nearly half the year. It would be one thing if you were a through and through anti-consumerist- living in the woods from food you make yourself, which would be commendable in itself- but heck, this changes things. Maybe if you knew how much we with cold winters need a great winter coat, you’d see that vegan coats are like vegan burgers from vegan startups that are just trying to make a difference, and wish they could sell them as cheap as the subsidized mainstream animal agriculture alternatives-except it’s not possible yet- does that sound familiar? Our coats are not cheap to produce because they are built to protect you from the elements, and built to last for winters to come (on top of being of newly developed recycled and vegan fabrics, and made locally). Divide a winter coat’s price with the use it gets and you might realize it is actually quite a good value for the use it offers you.

    We are all on the same team here… well, we should be. It’s interesting to me that of all the businesses out there that could care less about the animals and the earth and people, you’ve chosen mine to bully… because… I don’t know, we have style? Unfortunately, this conversation has taken more time and exhaustion than I have to give… I have to get back to work doing my part, which I’ve dedicated my life to, to be a voice for the animals.

  • http://www.onoursleeve.com Leanne Maily (Vaute Couture)

    PS. You clearly need to do your research.

    Our coats are not “flown in halfway around the world” with “production is still taking a toll on our resources”.

    Rereading that comment finishes this conversation for me.

    Our coats are MADE IN CHICAGO ON A LIVING WAGE.
    They are MADE OF RECYCLED MATERIALS.

    You’ve somehow grouped all fashion businesses into one big target for yourself, and it’s exhausting for those really trying to make a difference.

    I am done with your bullying. Done. Moving on.

  • http://www.thevegangoodlife.blogspot.com/ The Vegan Good Life

    Leann, I deeply apologize if things got off course.

    The conversation diverted to talking about how many hear “vegan” and “organic” regarding companies promoted on sites like LivinVeg’s and Ecorazzi’s and not questioning where or how they are made. I brought up an example of the high priced jeans and t-shirt on LivinVeg’s site, and I didn’t refer to your coats. I’m sorry if there was confusion over that, which I didn’t mean to create.

    I did kick-off this post originally because personally I do not have $500 for a winter coat, nor do most people I know, so it just a dialogue for those who are on a budget (there are many of us out there) who need another option. Thrift and consignment stores and clothing swaps are a great option. I also don’t see anything wrong with using what people have already in their closet, and making better decisions next time.

    I am just trying to promote an overall philosophy of as a society giving thoughtful consideration to how much we consume, and to consider a more budget-friendly second-hand option whenever possible (which is something that is accessible to the masses). We live in a society where there is such excess, and I see the overabundance of second-hand clothes already on the market.

    I respect that you are trying to run an ethical business, and sincerely wish you the best of luck in your ventures…TVG

  • http://www.twolia.com/blogs/livin-veg/ Livin Veg

    I think buying used is great. And I talk about it on my blog a lot. I think I did a post on it last week actually. And as I said, the vast majority of my stuff is used. I can afford a new computer, but I’m on a 6 year old laptop instead. Now, The Vegan Good Life – are you on a library computer? A used cell phone? Are you perfect in absolutely every single way? Have you never in a pinch bought a disposable water bottle? Are you beyond reproach? Because you’re certainly coming across that way. I’m doing my best not to be snippy. I hate snippy comments. But I think you’re pointing the blame at the wrong people. We all do our best. Do we make mistakes? Of course. I don’t intentionally promote anything I don’t agree with. As for just buying used- Darling, if no one bought something new from time to time, (like that dress jamie lynn loved) no one would be able to buy it second hand. I think more people should buy second hand. But the truth is, it’s not a 100% method for consumers to get things and keep things in the market. So companies like Vaute Couture are needed. They are changing the way consumerism works. I applaud that.

  • http://www.thevegangoodlife.blogspot.com/ The Vegan Good Life

    Thanks LivinVeg for your feedback. No, no one is perfect, including myself (it’s human to be flawed) and we’re all on this site in the first place to learn and become better citizens of the Earth. If we didn’t care, we’d be on Perez Hilton, not on an eco-site, and not having a debate on how we can responsibly consume.

    I try and live as scaled back a life as possible, and have been fortunate enough to find my vegan clothing needs met at a thrift store that raises money for homeless cats and dogs. Vaute Couture is doing a commendable thing in their venture, but many of us cannot afford such a product. That’s a fact, and I understand why she has to charge what she does. She is not outsourcing to another country. But for those of us who cannot afford it, second hand is a good choice, as is just using what’s in your closet. Clothing swaps are also great fun as well. I apologize to all if I didn’t phrase this better from the get-go.

    There are other companies (not Vaute Couture) who are charging premium prices while outsourcing to other nations, and capitalizing on people’s desire to buy things “organic.” As vegans, we ask meat-eaters to not give into the glossy ad campaigns of the food industry, and to question things. As a vegan, I just ask of other vegans to be a bit skeptical of some companies and their labor practices and air miles (again, this is not meant to refer to Vaute Coture).

    We’re all doing the best we can. My friends and I often say how we obsesses over these issues, while it seems the masses don’t give a second thought to where their food or clothing came from. But it’s great to see so many passionate people on here who are trying to be the best citizens they can.

  • http://www.twolia.com/blogs/livin-veg/ Livin Veg

    Thanks Vegan Good Life. I appreciate your words and your honesty. Dialogue is a good thing. It keeps us growing and getting better. I believe all of us here are on the path to living a more humane life. I know I learn more each and every day.

  • s

    reusing stuff is a totally cool and inexpensive way to help the environment, but please tell me who doesn’t love to go shopping? :) huge points to vaute culture for providing a veg, sustainable way that we can help out the planet AND get some cool stuff.

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