British vegan fashion designers
I’ve been doing research into vegan fashion brands for nearly a year now (where has this year gone??) and I’ve found some really amazing labels along the way, it’s really been exciting to discover just how many amazing vegan fashionistas are out there! But lately I’ve been wondering what’s on offer a bit closer to home? Here in the UK the number of vegans is steadily rising, with the latest reported amount being 3.5 million! And those plant-based foodies are thinking about what they put on their bodies as well as what they put in their mouths.
This has led to an increase in the amount of vegan fashion available in the UK, not only clothing but also health and beauty supplies too! This is great news for us here on the small island, as it means we don’t need to rely on the USA/Europe to provide us with all the fabulous vegan fashion we need (/want!)…
I’ve put together a few of my favourite UK based vegan fashion designers in the hopes that you guys can see we have a lot on offer right here, and maybe you’ll want to support these brands so they can keep going? Buying clothes from the UK means our purchases don’t have to be flown over the big blue and this saves on C02 emissions and the P&P will be a hell of a lot cheaper for you. Good for your pockets and the planet!
Wilby
What's the clutch bag saying? "Buy me!"
PETA approved accessories brand Wilby launched their vegan lines in 2013 and seem to have gone from strength to strength ever since. Their products claim to be “eco sensitive and environmentally aware” and they use really innovative and sustainable materials like cork, hemp and organic cotton. Their bags are really gorgeous and have that ‘aspirational’ vibe about them, perfect for posh events or as a one-off investment piece. Have a look at their online site here and enjoy letting yourself get lost in a world of beautiful vegan handbag paradise…
Collection + Co
Loving the Argia bag made with vegan leather and a detachable calico inner bag
I know I keep going on about these guys but I am seriously in love with them, everything they do is so my style and I wish I could buy everything they stock! Their minimalist, low-key designs are such a refreshing change, as most vegan shoes and bags seem to be fussy and over-complicated. They have recently started selling a small range of clothes, some made from vegan wool, which I’m really excited about and hopefully I can share with you in the not so distant future! Bristol based = I visit often. Check out their online store here and if you’re ever in Bristol I would highly recommend a visit – just give me a call, I’ll probably be heading that way too…
Monkee Genes
Chic chinos for the girls and guys ;)
So excited about this brand, as I’ve only just discovered they are a UK based company! I first heard about them from one of my favourite bloggers @waterthruskin, who was wearing a pair of their betty chinos (pictured). They create jeans and other apparel and adhere to very strict policies regarding transparency and ethical sourcing of their materials, sticking to organic cotton at all times. Their lines include jeans in a range of different fits, chinos, tops and jackets, all with a very cool, understated vibe. Check out their website here...
Beyond Skin
You can just imagine strutting into a courtroom in these bad boys can't you...
UK-based brand Beyond Skin make funky, unique shoe designs that are always colourful and eye-catching. While most of their pieces are not my personal style I do really appreciate the craftsmanship and the innovative designs. I also really like their ‘sustainability’ page on their website, which is really honest and explains that, although they use PU leather (a leather alternative made with petrochemicals and can be harmful to the environment) they break down why it’s still the better choice in terms of animal cruelty and environmental impact. They accept that there are still areas they need to improve on but that they’re working towards becoming fully sustainable, and that’s what really matters – that brands acknowledge their shortfalls and commit to doing better. Find out more about the brand here…
LaBante London
Your new best friend...
These guys know how to make drool-worthy bags and accessories. This one’s a dangerous website to visit, you may leave your laptop 3 hours later and a lot poorer! This is a great example of a bran understanding good design but not compromising on ethics, this is the type of brand that is taking vegan fashion into the future and leaving behind the negative stereotypes of hippy, baggy clothes that people used to think of when they heard ‘vegan clothing’. You can be stylish and ethical!! LaBante pride themselves on being “vegan, environmentally friendly, and ethically produced”. I personally love their Ida blue across body bag (pictured), it’s so cute and perfect for going out-and-about all day. Enjoy the vegan-y goodness over on their site here.