Vegan Fashion Week: Top designers pushing the envelope for ethical practices in the industry and setting trends

Fashion Week has expanded its reach beyond the ‘Big Four’ (New York, London, Paris and Milan) with a year-round global selection spanning over a hundred Fashion Weeks, including more niche showcases such as Vegan Fashion Week .

Vegan Fashion Week (VFW) is the world’s leading ethical luxury event held at the California Market Center in the heart of Los Angeles.

Just before LA Fashion Week, VFW made a strong statement for ethical and cruelty-free fashion, while setting trends at the same time. Meet the designers who present the latest innovations in sustainability.

Vegan Fashion Week honors the industry’s commitment to prioritizing sustainability, animal welfare and social justice.

It’s a place for designers who are pushing the boundaries for ethical practices in the industry to show off their eco-conscious creations.

And this year – the fifth anniversary – was no different.

This year’s theme was ‘Harmony’, described as an exploration of the transformative power of fashion, a catalyst for personal and social change.

As the name suggests, ‘Harmony’ embraces the idea of ​​a harmonious existence between humans, animals and the environment.

The event showcased brands that prioritize sustainability in all areas – including promoting responsible water use, reducing carbon emissions, reusing materials and creating a harmonious work environment.

Vegan Fashion Week Ambassador Richa Moorjani opened the event saying, “I couldn’t be more grateful or inspired today by Emmanuelle Rienda, the pioneering architect and founder of Vegan Fashion Week.”

“She has dedicated herself to creating a world that values ​​the interconnectedness of all beings and the health of our planet, while still celebrating creative designers who weave sustainable innovation, compassion and the harmony of the four elements into every piece.

“Let’s not forget that if the future of fashion doesn’t exclude exploitation, there will be no future, period.”

Brands that presented their collections were A Perfect Jane, Guillaume Larquemain, Nikki Green and Mychal-Bella Bowman.

A Perfect Jane was founded during the pandemic and was designed in the Netherlands.

The PETA-approved vegan brand’s mission is to create beautiful, high-quality products without sacrificing the lives of animals.

Their beautiful women’s boots are designed without the use of animal leather and with as many sustainable materials as possible.

Guillaume Larquemain founded his eponymous label in 2021 for an innovative luxury product with apple skin.

The talented designer explores emerging biomaterials and augmented reality to create the entire gender-fluid collection, handmade in France.

Nikki Green is the brainchild of fashion and vegan lifestyle influencer Dominique Side and her longtime stylist, designer Christian Allen.

A pioneering Black-owned brand, it is leading the way by pushing the boundaries of fashion with statement pieces that seamlessly combine opulence and sustainability.

The show featured shoe designer Willa Phoenix, who created the first plant-based shoe to ever walk the Oscars red carpet.

VFW is a non-profit organization that supports companies that dare to think beyond traditional practices.

The organization’s mission is not just to shape the fashion industry, but to change the world.

Notable stars who showed their support included motivational speaker and award-winning podcast host Jay Shetty, “Elvis” actress Natasha Bassett, “Bling Empire” star Kelly Mi Li and “American Pie” actress Tara Reid.

Maggie Baird, renowned actress and mother of Grammy-winning artist Billie Eilish; and rising Hollywood star Caylee Cowan also showed their support for the cause during the VFW.