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.

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

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.