Vegan Fashion | Ecouterre

Faux-Leather “Project Runway” Outfit Made From…Trash Bags!

That noise you hear? That’s the sound of our jaws crashing to the floor at the sight of the winning look from last night’s Project Runway. Who would have thought that this sizzling curve-hugging number was made entirely from—wait for it—garbage bags! The work of one Jay Nicolas Sario, the pleather-like ensemble drew its own share of praise from the peanut gallery. “We’ve seen many garbage bags on Project Runway, but never quite like this,” gushed Heidi Klum. Jay, you made it work. And how! Click below the fold for a video clip.

Vegan Style

Olsenhaus Makes Eco-Chic Vegan Shoes From Recycled TVs (No Foolin’!)

by Jasmin Malik Chua, 02/26/10

With the transition to all-digital broadcasts, the planet isn’t exactly hurting for obsolete TV sets. Which is why vegan footwear purveyor Olsenhaus is making a switch of its own—by cladding Its entire Fall/Winter 2010 collection of pumps, wedges, stiletto booties, and knee-highs in an innovative polyester microfiber made from trashed television screens.

Vegan, Eco-Friendly Men’s Trench Coat Made From Leathery Tree Bark

“Barkcloth” takes on a whole new meaning when you involve actual trees, specifically the Mutaba (Ficus natalensis) in Uganda. It’s this arboreal textile that makes up Refinity’s roughhewn, leather-like trench coat, which fastens shut—sans buttons—with the Dutch design consultancy’s click/fold system. Barkcloth, like leather, is durable and does not fray, yet it doesn’t require the same chemical-intensive tanning.

Vaute Couture’s Vegan Coats Epitomize Effortless Chic

If winter’s swift approach is throwing you into a state of wardrobe panic, allay your cold-weather woes by turning to someone who knows a thing or two about below-freezing temps. Meet Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, who after years of battling the bitter Chicago winters and searching for the perfect topper, founded Vaute Couture, a well-edited line of chic, easy-to-wear, and remarkably warm vegan coats.

FIRST LOOK: Bahar Shahpar, Cri de Coeur Collaborate on Vegan Shoe Collection

Good things, like shoes, come in pairs. Another toothsome twosome that is equally congenial is Bahar Shahpar and Cri de Coeur, two sizzling eco-fashion labels that have joined forces to unleash a collection of vegan kicks that marry Shahpar’s penchant for blistering colors with Gina Ferraraccio’s architectural eye. And if the shoes look familiar to astute runway watchers, you’re not hallucinating: Cri de Coeur for Bahar Shahpar first made its debut at New York Fashion Week’s The GreenShows in September.

NEW! Ecoist Candy-Wrapper Bags Inspired by Jackie Kennedy

Leave it to the original candy-wrapper-bag company to reinvent what has become a popular, if not always the most flattering, meme in eco-fashion circles. Ecoist, which popularized accessories made from repurposed candy wrappers, food and drink packaging, newspapers, and subway maps, has launched a collection that recalls one of America’s favorite—and most stylish—First Ladies.

Olsenhaus Steps Up For Fall With a Fresh Crop of Vegan Shoes

Elizabeth Olsen’s entire design philosophy can be summed up in a single phrase: “Consciousness is the new hip,” a statement that is both a mantra for the longtime animal-rights advocate, as well as the grounding principle behind Olsenhaus, her vegan shoe collection. Although Olsen founded her label only last August, the former Calvin Klein and Nine West designer has rapidly distinguished herself in the cruelty-free arena with her sleek, sexy silhouettes and bold, sometimes unexpected, use of color.

FIRST LOOK: Vivienne Westwood Takes Flight With New “Wing” Collection for Melissa Shoes

Stuffed tree frogs and artfully disheveled menswear weren’t the only highlights of Vivienne Westwood’s Spring/Summer 2010 runway show—the grand dame also shod her models in winged jelly sandals in the style of the Greek God Hermes. The “Wing,” available in November, is Westwood’s latest collaboration with Melissa Plastic Dreams, a Brazilian footwear company that …

FIRST LOOK: Noon Solar Introduces Vegan, Organic Fabric Bags For Fall

Vegans, rejoice! Noon Solar is debuting a vegan-friendly collection of fabric bags made from naturally dyed organic textiles and cork trims. Due to make landfall in stores in late October, the Noon Naturals line comprises six designs—all sans the company’s signature solar panels—that are a departure from the bag maker’s usual vegetable-tanned leather offerings.

Boot Up for Fall!

When the weather starts getting colder and wetter, there’s nothing like the feeling of invincibility that the right pair of boots can empower you with – and we’re happy to report that nowadays, vegans don’t have to sacrifice fall style to keep in line with their beliefs. Whether you’re looking for vegan-leather riding boots with equestrian details or cruelty-free statement-making wellingtons, there are plenty of stylish options to choose from. With that in mind, here are our favorite picks for boots that are made for (vegan) walkin’.

Our Top 5 Favorite Eco-Chic & Vegan Melissa Shoes

When it comes to vegan, sustainable footwear, few brands can boast the reach and style prowess that Melissa Plastic Dreams can. From collaborations with queen of the anglofashion world, Vivienne Westwood, architecture maven Zaha Hadid and design celebrities the Campana Brothers, Melissa delivers glossy flats, heels and boots that we would covet even if they weren’t made of cruelty-free, nontoxic MEFLEX plastic in eco-conscious factories. As difficult as it was, we narrowed our favorites down to five stand-out styles that we really think exemplify why people love the fantastic, plastic world of Melissas so much. Enjoy!