11 Animal- and Eco-Friendly Companies to Keep an Eye on in 2015

Well, it’s officially 2015. Another year older and wiser, right? When it comes to fashion, that wisdom includes becoming more aware of the numerous ethical and environmental issues raised by the way we dress. The tide of fashion is turning in favor of animals and the environment, and no one knows that better than the following companies. Keep your eye on them—they’re shaping the future.

Good Guys Don’t Wear Leather

These shoes just might be the most comfortable chic little things ever to meet your feet. This all-vegan brand uses materials such as microfiber, canvas, and natural rubber to create shoes that are light, waterproof, nontoxic, and extremely durable. They’re designed in Paris, constructed in Portugal, and available for shipment to wherever your heart desires.

CoraLlei

Conscious of the environmental and social impact of her designs, Lorna Burton’s CoraLlei collection places paramount importance on ethics and sustainability, drawing on the skills of Italian artisans in the company’s manufacturing home in Venice, Italy.

Dr. Martens’ Vegan Line

Word on the street is that this heritage brand is back in a big way in 2015. Dr. Martens’ products are intended for all boot enthusiasts, and now that the brand touts an extensive vegan collection, this is truly the case.

Black Score

Looking at this shirt, it’s not hard to see why we adore Black Score. Everything made by this London-based company is hand-printed and hand-drawn. Check out the company’s newest collection created in collaboration with PETA U.K. It doesn’t get any better than this.

Animal Behavior

This brand’s super-chic vegan apparel is made in Los Angeles from sustainable materials. On top of that, the company donates a percentage of sales to efforts reducing the endangerment and impending extinction of the Amur leopard. Animal Behavior caught our eye with its clothes, but now it really has our attention.

Freedom of Animals

PETA collaborated with Freedom of Animals on a line of animal-friendly handbags in 2014, so we know firsthand how wonderful this company’s founding duo, Morgan Bogle and Scott MacDonough, are. This sustainable and cruelty-free luxury handbag collection with the sleekest lines and colors is crafted with all post-consumer and organic materials, no doubt making these bags the most sophisticated in the land.

Vriie

Faux fur definitely made inroads in 2014. In love with the touch and feel of the material but revolted by the origins of actual fur, sisters Cynthia and Paula worked to fill a gap in their closets with quality faux pieces that would warm their tootsies and their hearts. We’re digging it.

Vaute Couture

We can’t seem to rave enough about this New York City–based fashion line. Founder Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart won PETA’s Most Influential Designer Award in 2014, a title this gal more than lives up to. Last year, she added a line of vegan wool hats to her collection, crafted with a material she terms WonderFelt—a wind- and water-resistant 100-gram PrimaLoft felt that’s 100 percent cruelty-free. Yep, we’re pretty much obsessed.

Shrimps

London-based Hannah Weiland made a splash last year with newly launched faux-fur label Shrimps. Using fabrics that emphasize color and fun, she’s created pieces that Hollywood’s going crazy for this winter. It’s not hard to see why.

Wilby

Not only are all Wilby’s products animal-free, they’re also made of only the most eco-friendly materials, in line with the company’s motto, a quotation from Mahatma Gandhi: “There is no beauty in the finest cloth if it makes hunger and unhappiness.” The company is based in the London neighborhood of Chelsea but ships internationally, thank goodness.

Olsenhaus

Olsenhaus may be a pioneer vegan shoe line, but the new additions to its collection have us willing spring to enter the picture so that we can check out all the new (but ever-classic) kicks! Founder Elizabeth Olsen has long been an outspoken advocate against the use of animals for fashion, a mission that she manifests with beautiful eco-friendly shoes that we’re positive every fashionista can get into.

Why #WearVegan?

It’s a heartbreaking truth, friends: every year, millions of animals are killed for the clothing industry—all in the name of fashion. Deciding to make small changes to our closets that are kinder to animals and the environment—while allowing us to live by our deepest values and still have fun with our wardrobe—is one of the easiest ways to have a positive impact on the world! Check back here every Friday for updates on all the trendiest ways to #wearvegan in 2015.

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