"Animals do not have to suffer for fashion" - Designer, Kat Mendenhall

Photography by Wayne Fleshman Jr. via Fair Trade Fashion Show.

1. Brand name?
Bead & Reel.

2. Founder name?
Sica Schmitz.

3. Where is the company based?
After several years in Los Angeles, last year the company moved (with me) to the countryside of the Pacific Northwest.

4. When was the company founded?
I opened Bead & Reel in December 2014, though it had been something I had been working on for quite a long time.

Plant based. Photography by Bead & Reel team.

5. Tell us about your company and the products you sell?
Bead & Reel is a sustainable community which connects companies and shoppers as we create a more mindful world together. Started as a retail boutique, it has expanded to include the popular blog, ethical affiliate network for brands and content creators, and sustainability services from consulting to personal styling. We focus on promoting fashion that is fair trade and vegan with an emphasis on female-founded companies and sustainable business practices.

6. What is the inspiration behind your brand?
I believe in the power of our choices and the power of the stories we tell with our clothing (both consciously and subconsciously). I've always loved fashion from the time I was a small child and even went to school to study it, however the glamorous image we see is not the reality behind this industry. Workers rights violations, environmental destruction, and harm to animals are frequent and in fact standard parts of fashion manufacturing. I wanted to show a better way-you can care about fashion while also caring about people, animals, and our planet.

7. What is your goal?
My goal is to make mindful shopping easy and accessible, helping empower individuals to create the world they want through their purchases. I truly believe that one of our most powerful voices and votes in the world is how we spend our money, and, when enough of us are spending our money on products and with companies that align with our values, we will then see significant shifts.

8. What materials do you use and how do you obtain these materials?
We don't manufacture anything right now, but we only use and feature vegan materials (which means we exclude things like leather, wool, silk, fur, bone, and other parts of animals).

9. Are there any charities or organizations you work with? If so, why?
Yes! Our sister non-profit Fair Trade Fashion Show, which is entering its fifth event this fall, and we have some really exciting things ahead.

10. Website? https://www.beadandreel.com Social Media? @beadandreel

Photography by Lindsey Miller-KatBoots6boots-Fall-56. Photo credit to https://www.lindseymillerphoto.com.

Photography by Lindsey Miller-KatBoots-Jan16-4. Photo credit to https://www.lindseymillerphoto.com.

1. Designer Name?
Kat Mendenhall, Purveyor of Handmade Vegan Goods.

2. Owner Name?
Kat Mendenhall.

3. Where are you based?
Dallas, Texas.

4. When did you open?
May 2015.

5. Please tell us about your brand?
We specialize in personally designed handcrafted vegan cowboy boots and other non-leather accessories. We offer various boot styles along with dress belts, Western style belts, custom jean jackets, bandanas, and hats. All our products are 100% vegan, materials are USA sourced, and made in Texas.

6. What inspired you to create a vegan line?
As a Texan, I grew up around cattle ranching and had a deep affection for fashionably designed cowboy boots (and quiet a disgusting collection). I was inspired to make vegan cowboy boots after learning cows are raised soley for their skins. It's a billion dollar industry that not only contributes to animal suffering but exposes factory workers to harmful chemicals and releases toxins into the water supply and the environment.

7. What is your mission?
My mission is one day wearing, sitting, or carrying animal leather will be seen as a taboo practice, like fur is today. My goal is to educate mainstream consumers that animals do not and should not suffer for fashion by providing high-end quality products that replace the use of animals for fashion.

8. Where are your materials sourced from?
My materials are all USA sourced. We use a polyester/nylon matrix patent material with a polyurethane base. There's no plasticizers like PVC used, and there's no off-gassing in the production.

Photography by Lindsey Miller-KatBoots6boots-Fall-21. Photo credit to https://www.lindseymillerphoto.com.

Photography by Lindsey Miller-KatMendenhallBoots-76. Photo credit to https://www.lindseymillerphoto.com.

My website is http://katmendenhall.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kickbuttboots/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/katmendenhallboots/?hl=en

January is known as Veganuary, where people pledge this month to go vegan for a month. This year it reached up to 190,000 people signing up: www.veganuary.com. Photo taken on Unsplash.

1. Brand name?
Forester (Formally Forester Products).

2. Where is the company based?
Donegal, Ireland.

3. When was the company founded?
January 1st 2019.

4. What is the inspiration for the company and vegan leather?
I was inspired by my own vegan journey and the frustrations I found when looking for vegan leather products. It was about February 2017 when I was trying to replace my leather watch with a vegan alternative when I realized there were no good offerings, particularly for me. I did more research and found generally the options were poor for both men and women. I was at a professional cross-road at that time and I wanted to give something back so it all happened in symphony really. I quit my finance job, moved home to Ireland and got to work. The rugged and beautiful nature of Ireland has definitely inspired our work so far as well. We’re so fortunate to be surrounded by stunning landscapes from foresters and mountains to beaches and lakes, so it was important this carried through to the brand and the product.

5. Do you have a specific goal or mission?
To simplify shopping for vegan fashion through a range of fashionable, high quality and sustainable lines and products ranges.

6. What plants do you use to create the materials for your products?
Our current range is made from cork (the bark of the cork oak tree to be precise!) We have plans to create new ranges from both PinaTex and bio-oil leather, which is a by-product of the cereal making process.

7. Tell us about your partnership with One Tree Planted?
It’s a very simple, yet effective partnership for every product we sell we plant a tree with One Tree Planter. We increased this it different times of the year to highlight the incredible work they do.

8. What other causes do you donate to?
Currently we only work with One Tree Planted, but are open to other ideas.

Did you know that plastic makes up 90% of the materials used in the millions of Halloween costumes sold each year? Photo taken by Unsplash.

9. Are there any other accessories you hope to expand into?
Yes. We have some things in the works at the moment and all will be revealed soon!

10. Social Media?

https://www.instagram.com/forester/

https://www.facebook.com/ForesterProducts

https://twitter.com/ForesterProduct

Marsala Pouch in Poppy, $80. Photography by s Deux Lux team.

1. Brand name?
Deux Lux.

2. Designer name?
Sara Naghedi.

3. Where is the company based?
Los Angeles & New York

4. When was the company founded?
2005.

5. Tell us about your company and the products you sell?
I founded the company in 2005 after graduating from law school. I found myself wanting to pursue a more creative outlet, and discovered that what was lacking in fashion were affordable handbags with a lux feel.

6. What is the inspiration behind your company?
Our inspiration has always been to create beautiful bags and accessories in high quality materials that are available to any woman at an accessible price point.

Cabana Weekender in Navy, $115. Photography by s Deux Lux team.

7. Do you have a specific goal or mission?
Lately, our goal has been to change the way people think about vegan or animal friendly. It doesn’t have to be associated with frumpy anymore and our bags are proof of that. The fabrications we use and the attention to detail in our bags make them anything but frumpy.

8. What animal friendly materials do you use and where do you obtain them?
We work with a handful of fabric suppliers who are on the forefront of man-made materials and every season we are amazed by the quality and ingenuity. In addition to these vegan leathers, HWE use a lot of traditional non leather fabrics such as canvas, linens, nylons and straw.

9. Why the focus on animal friendly, clothes vegan bags?
The quality and variety of non leather materials have become so good that we found little need to use animals for the sake of fashion. It’s easy to make small changes in our lives that can collectively make a difference.

10. Are there any charities or organizations you work with? If so, why?
Yes, we work closely with PETA and we are a PETA certified brand. We donate to many another charities and don’t limit ourselves to only animal related causes!

Maui Satchel in Rose Gold, $115. Photography by s Deux Lux team.

11. Website & Social Media Information?
Website: https://deuxlux.com and Instagram: @deuxluxnyc

Photography by Watson and Kiko, Instagram: @wat.ki

1. Brand name?
Tree Tribe.

2. Designer name?
Lead designer, founder Joseph Lannen, along with many other great Tree Tribe staff.

3. Where is the company based?
Tree Tribe is based in New York City, but we really like to think of ourselves as a worldwide brand.

4. When was the company founded?
2015.

5. What products do you sell?
We sell: Eco-Friendly water bottles, Yoga Pants made from recycled plastic, Organic cotton tees, hoodies and hats, as well as "Leaf Leather" products, such as handbags, wallets, and clutch bags.

SHOP NOW - High quality fabric made from recycled polyester - Hand crafted in the USA https://fave.co/2HemXw4 — **SHOP NOW**
- High quality fabric made from recycled polyester
- Hand crafted in the USA
https://fave.co/2HemXw4

Credits For Photos Above:
Man holding the brown dopp kit: Alizia Rapela, IG @aliziarapelaphotowork
Water bottles: Zero Market, IG @thezeromarket
T-shirt and Sports Bra: Suphakaln Wongcompune

6. What materials do you use in your products and how do you obtain these materials?
Our Leaf Leather is made from Teak leaves, which are only the ones that have naturally fallen to the ground from the trees.

7. Tell us about the company and your mission to plant trees?
Tree Tribe isn't just an apparel/accessories company. Tree Tribe is a way of life! We at Tree Tribe want to make sure we're a global force in the eco-friendly space, not just for our brand, but for all of our tribe peeps out there. We want to be a model to other companies to make sure they're also doing everything in their power to give back in some socially conscious way. When we first started Tree Tribe, being that we're an environmentally friendly company, we felt what was a better way to give back to the environment than to plant trees all over our planet.

8. Why did you choose to focus on planting trees?
Mostly answered above I think, but I'll add this. Given the fact that our greenhouse gases are destroying the planet and we humans are creating an ever-growing carbon footprint globally, we feel this is one of the best ways to combat this. Global warming and climate change are very real and everyone must do their part to help combat this growing issue. Planting trees is our part to help heal our earth.

Photo by Eduardo and Rubi - adventures on wheels @adventuresonwheels.jpg.

9. What organizations do you work to help fulfill this mission?
With the help of Trees for the Future, Eden Reforestation Projects, American Forests, and Cirenas, Tree Tribe has been able to plant over 400,000 trees all around the globe. We're excited about it, and are looking forward to hitting the million trees planted milestone!

10. Are there any other causes you hope to eventually branch out to?
Of course! There are so many other initiatives we'd like to support and we'll definitely get to that point as we continue growing. Things like clean drinking water in communities around the globe. The global plastic problem isn't going anywhere so maybe support more plastic cleanup and/or recycle initiatives, those sort of things. We already have a line of leggings made from recycled plastic, but we'll definitely look toward getting involved more with these types of causes in the future of Tree Tribe.

11. Website and Social Media Info?
Please check us out on https://treetribe.com, IG-@treetribevibe, Facebook-Tree Tribe, twitter-@TreeTribe, and please Join the Tribe!!

1. Brand name?
LUCKYNELLY.

2. Designer name?
Christine Rochlitz.

3. Where is the company based?
LUCKYNELLY is based in Berlin, Germany.

4. When was the company founded?
2012.

5. What products do you sell?
LUCKYNELLY is a Vegan fashion accessory brand.

6. Tell us about your association with PETA?
LUCKYNELLY won the PETA Vegan Fashion Award in the Category "Best Accessory for Ladies" with a wooden belt. Since then, LUCKYNELLY has worked very closely with the PETA organization and 5 euros of every product is sent to animal welfare.

Image featured in British Vogue. — Image featured in *British Vogue.*

7. Please tell us about the quality of your product?
LUCKYNELLY carries luxurious handbags and other accessories that are 100% vegan. LUCKYNELLY does not support the use of animals for fashion and shows. The company uses innovative alternatives to leather that are animal-friendly and vegan. They believe in a cruelty free products.

8. What exactly is your philosophy on sustainable fashion?
My philosophy on sustainable fashion is to choose wisely which clothes and accessories to buy. I think about where they come from and look behind the brand or company who made them and under which conditions of craftsmanship and who is involved. Also were animals harmed. It’s better to save some money for a time so that you can buy something maybe more expensive but has excellent quality and a positive footprint you really love/like and that you can wear for a long time, then is to buy as much as you can for a cheaper price. Start to love and honor what you have chosen, that’s much more satisfying for yourself.

9. How did you get into sustainable fashion?
I studied fashion design, graduating with a degree in 2004. At that time all the commercial fashion stores such as H&M were starting up. I never knew what I really wanted to choose when they offered 3 for 1 sales, but the suggestion was to get more and more. I really had the feeling thatI I would be overloaded. So the theme of my graduation thesis was the fairytale, Little Red Riding Hood, named Maerchenreif (a German word I had invented that means ready for a break). My concept was to show people the actual situation of buying and choosing things all the time is not more satisfying because of all the fast fashion. I wanted to remember the good old times sitting together with family and listening to grandmas reading fairytales to their grandchildren, feeling the cohesion and love and to beloved.

Working with old tatted laces made from older women’s handcrafts works as upcycling. I integrated my clothes with my own screen printing textile designs. I always followed this way as a trendsetter and designer. Now, so many years later, people understand and try to practice my methods and it is trending now during fashion weeks.

Photography by Anja Scholta. Photography: Anja Scholta Model: Teresa Peitz Location: Regent Hotel Berlin MUA: Ally Friedman, Melanie Rieberer — Photography by Anja Scholta.
Photography: Anja Scholta
Model: Teresa Peitz
Location: Regent Hotel Berlin
MUA: Ally Friedman, Melanie Rieberer

10. Tell me about your current Spring/Summer 2019 collection?
Our Spring/Summer collection is very colorful and a mix of different vegan and sustainable materials in iridescent shapes. These include copper foil plated cork fabric and cork fabric that changes color by heat, combined with genuine sewn wood and thonet wood and a handle made of Italian black marble accentuated with rainbow titanium metal parts and closures.

11. What's the inspiration behind your collection?
For my collections nature and beauty of animals inspire me. There are so many beautiful creatures you can find and so I always carry around my Canon Cam to capture my visions and impressions. Actually I was inspired by a cute little hummingbird with iridescent feathers.

12. What is your motto in life?
”Chose a job you love and you will never have to work a day in your life.“ Confucius

8. Website and Instagram Info?
Website: https://www.luckynelly.com & https://www.notjustalabel.com/luckynelly-berlin and Instagram: @luckynelly_berlin

Lina received the Eco Chic Design Award for this Spring/Summer 2018 collection, called “Inform To Survive.” For this collection, Up-cycling, Reconstruction and Zero Waste draping techniques were used. Photography by Gabriel M. Brandt. — Lina received the Eco Chic Design Award for this Spring/Summer 2018 collection, called “Inform To Survive.”
For this collection, Up-cycling, Reconstruction and Zero Waste draping techniques were used.
Photography by Gabriel M. Brandt.

1. Brand name?
Lina Mayorga.

2. Designer name?
Lina Mayorga.

3. Where is the company based?
New York City.

4. Please tell us how you got started?
Lina Mayorga is a sustainable vegan fashion designer, who graduated from Parsons The New School for Design with a BFA in fashion design. Lina is originally from Colombia.

Hemp Natural Dyed Dress that is made with organic natural Longwood dye. Photography by Gabriel M. Brandt. Model: https://instagram.com/agnesartych?.

5. What is your philosophy?
Creating sustainable clothing with organic, recycling or up-cycled materials and design with zero waste techniques when possible. No leather, Fur or Silk and always aligning my work with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. I’m always looking for ways to advocate for sustainable clothing and break the stereotypes that surrounds this industry because sustainable fashion can be wearable, modern and elegant without compromising people, animals or natural resources.

6. How did you get into sustainable fashion?
When I turned vegan in 2013 for my health, the animals and the planet, I started reading more about the detrimental effects of the fashion industry and decided that I should be an ethical person in every aspect of my life including my design philosophy and practice. Everything started clicking and making sense to me, that’s when it was the right time to become a sustainable fashion designer.

7. Tell me about your current Spring/Summer 2019 collection?
At the moment, I am working on expanding my collection inspired by the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals and I am also adding men's looks to this collection. It is a really colorful collection with a sporty/elegant style and it showcases every global goal. I am also having a more commercial line this season with a classic, feminine, and special aesthetic for everyone.

8. What's the inspiration behind your collection?
My inspiration was based on the 2030 United Nation ‘s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There are 17 SDGs announced in 2015 by the General Assembly that aim to transform the world combating inequalities, ending poverty and abuse, protecting the planet and ensuring better living conditions for everybody. I wanted to spread the message about these goals and show their distinctive symbols and colors.

9. What is your motto in life?
Knowing that my designs and my philosophy can motivate people to make better fashion choices and to become involved in the sustainable movement. Also making modern designs which are as environmentally-friendly and vegan as possible. It’s really empowering to design this way and it’s something that I look forward to doing all my life.

Photography by Gabriel M. Brandt. Model is Johanna Almonte.

“Vegan Haute Couture” that is made of hemp and organic cotton, dyed with natural dyes and decorated with recycled glass beads from Africa. Photography by Gabriel M. Brandt, Instagram: @gabrielmichaelbrandt. Model is https://instagram.com/agnesartych… — “Vegan Haute Couture” that is made of hemp and organic cotton, dyed with natural dyes and decorated with recycled glass beads from Africa.
Photography by Gabriel M. Brandt, Instagram: @gabrielmichaelbrandt. Model is https://instagram.com/agnesartych?.

10. Website & Socia Media Info?
http://www.linamayorga.com and https://www.instagram.com/lina.mayorga/

Svala was founded to create beautiful, stylish pieces that are animal-friendly and produced sustainably. Svala began as a line of lingerie, sleepwear and loungewear made in Los Angeles with fabrics such as organic cotton and reclaimed factory surplus lace. We have now expanded our range to include luxury, vegan, handcrafted handbags. Svala, meaning swallow in Icelandic, was founded by Helga Douglas. Svala has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Forbes, Fashionista, Eluxe, Purist and the LA Times.

Our products are made with premium, innovative, animal-friendly, PVC-free fabrics such as luxurious, Italian PU (polyurethane), Pinatex® (made from pineapple leaf fiber) and cork. Our Italian fabrics are sourced from a factory which supplies several high-end luxury European brands. Each Svala handbag is lined with fabric made with organic cotton and recycled polyester made with plastic bottles. Svala is a PETA approved brand as well as a Fur Free Retailer.

We manufacture all of our products in downtown Los Angeles in factories which ensure that the workers are paid a fair wage and have comfortable working conditions. Each Svala bag has been handcrafted by artisans. We love manufacturing close to home as we can be a part of the process and know who is crafting our products.

Svala is available exclusively on svala.co so we can directly offer ethically and sustainably made, handcrafted products, made with the highest-quality, innovative and luxurious fabrics, without the traditional retail mark-up. This allows us to offer the best of luxury with a modern approach to pricing and access.

Svala donates 10% of our profits to various charities and organizations, including Wild Aid, whose mission is to end the illegal wildlife trade in our lifetimes. We also participate in a carbon offset program to reduce our carbon footprint.

Helga Douglas, Owner and Designer

hello@svala.co, (310) 383-8087

Helga Douglas is originally from Sydney but now lives in Los Angeles. Helga founded Svala as she wanted to create beautiful pieces that were animal-friendly and produced sustainably. The inspiration for Svala’s name comes from Iceland, where Helga's mother is from. Helga has always loved the Icelandic girl’s name Svala, which means swallow in Icelandic. The swallow bird is a symbol of love, loyalty, freedom and hope in many cultures - everything that Helga wanted her brand to stand for. Svala is inspired by Helga’s love of animals and nature, her affinity for the relaxed, colorful feel of Sydney and LA and the simplicity of Scandinavian design.

6. Website and Instagram info?
Website: https://svala.co & https://www.notjustalabel.com/svala and Instagram: @svalaco

Andrada Bodea is a contemporary urbanwear fashion label based in London. Bodea designs gender neutral, ready-to-wear clothing with great attention to detail. The label strongly believes in vegan, ethically produced fashion. Born in Transylvania, Andrada Bodea went on to study at the London College of Fashion. After graduating from the Fashion Design Womenswear course in 2016, she went on to intern at the fashion label JUDYWU. Soon after, Bodea decided to launch her own label in the vibrant city, London. Her graduation collection is entitled PROTOTYPE, a name that reflects an original type which serves as a standard but at the same time it symbolizes newness and uniqueness.

The collection is inspired by an underground culture with a dystopian dark futuristic twist. By deconstructing functional fashion and accessories and fusing it with sportswear, Bodea creates an industrial urban nymph look, futuristic but lived-in, distressed contrasting with fine luxurious fabrics and details. The rebellious nature of the collection has a conceptual feel and merges masculinity with femininity creating a glamour meets grunge story. The juxtapose between structural and geometrical shapes blended with the relaxed streetwear look work to achieve an edgy collection.

Andrada Bodea’s brand philosophy is to create a platform for identities who have a divergent state of mind and dares the individual to think differently.

6. Website and Instagram info?
Website: https://www.andradabodea.com & https://www.notjustalabel.com/andrada-bodea and
Instagram: @andradabodea

MattandNat, is being inspired by MAT(t)terial and NATure and exploring the synergy of two. Website: https://mattandnat.com and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_and_nat_/?hl=en — MattandNat, is being inspired by MAT(t)terial and NATure and exploring the synergy of two.
Website: https://mattandnat.com and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_and_nat_/?hl=en

Native Shoes has a philosophy of “Beast Free” and that means not a strand of hair or hide from any animal is used on their product. Native Shoes has been certified from PETA as an approved vegan brand.
Website: https://www.nativeshoes.com and Instagram: @nativeshoes

1. Brand name?
Zappos.

2. Designer name?
The brands that are vegan on the Zappos site are Matt & Nat and Native Shoes.

3. Where is the company based?
Las Vegas, Nevada.

4. When was the company founded?
1999.

5. What is the inspiration behind your company?
As Zappos has grown, so has its selection. Founded in footwear, today’s offerings continue to evolve and include clothing, accessories, housewares, beauty, and more. And while the original idea was to offer the best online selection, the company’s mission has evolved into creating innovative new ways to deliver WOW to customers. In short, Zappos is a customer service company that just happens to sell shoe, clothing, and more.

Matt & Nat is Cruelty-Free and uses vegan leather only. Since 2007, they have their innings inside the bags made out of %100 recycled plastic bottles.

Native Shoes has “The Remix Project” with a goal by 2023 for each and every pair of Native shoes will be %100 life cycle managed. Native Shoes has partnered with Zappos for Good where you can return your Native Shoes for free.

6. Do you have a specific goal or mission?
To deliver WOW through service is our number 1 initiative.

7. What material do you use in the production of your shoes and how do you obtain them?
This varies from brand-to-brand.

8. What do you do to maintain the Zappos 10 Core Values?
We live and breath them! And that’s non-negotiable. The 10 Core Values continue to guide the Zappos culture today in everything from hiring, to firing.

The last Friday of each month, the staff holds a vegetarian pot-luck and employee’s birthdays for the month receives a vegan cupcake. Matt & Nat encourages their staff to volunteer and to practice upcycling.

Native Shoes strides each day to how they can leave the planet in better condition and use innovative technologies to make this happen. With these technologies they want to continuously find better comfort for your soles, and better usability for a … — Native Shoes strides each day to how they can leave the planet in better condition and use innovative technologies to make this happen. With these technologies they want to continuously find better comfort for your soles, and better usability for a zero waste philosophy.

9. What charities or organizations do you work with, and why?
We work with a variety of charities and the list continues to grow! Under Zappos for Good, the company’s charitable arm, there are always new projects being added! One of particular interest to PhotoBook Magazine’s audience is the Remix Project, an initiative by Native Shoes that aims to have every step of the Native Shoe product process 100% life cycle managed by 2023. Check out all the details of how we work together on this initiative here.

Website & Instagram Info: https://www.nativeshoes.com and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nativeshoes/

Website & Instagram Info: https://mattandnat.com and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matt_and_nat_/

Social Media & Website info for Zappos:

Photography by the Cult Of Coquette Team.

1. Brand Name?
Cult of Coquette.

2. Where are you based?
West Hollywood, CA.

3. When did the brand launch?
2014.

4. Tell us about your company and the product you sell?
Cult of Coquette is a line of cruelty-free luxury shoes. Our goal is to provide stylish footwear options for the modern, conscious woman at a contemporary price point. I’m most proud of the fact that I have been able to create a line of shoes that people love without compromising my personal ethics or integrity. The materials we use are all cruelty-free/vegan, including our glues. We’ve been able to create styles with a high-end feel, from the packaging to the product itself, and offer them at a price point that is accessible to most people.

6. Tell us why did you decide to make a cruelty free product?
In 2008, as the owner of a women’s boutique, I decided to stop eating meat. This decision also inspired my decision to carry cruelty free products in my store. It was then that I found what an immense void there was in the market for well made, beautifully designed, cruelty free fashion. In 2014, after moving to Los Angeles, I decided to launch Cult of Coquette and make the vegan footwear I had searched so long for.

7. Is it hard to source the materials?
I have been fortunate to have founded a factory that is not only woman owned, but that has a company culture rooted in the ethical treatment of its employees. These individuals have been very hands on with me in helping source quality fabrics that do not use any animal products.

8. The prices of your shoes are reasonable, how did you manage this?
Our factory has worked with us to find quality materials that are affordable, because they want to help us build the brand and bring more attention to the concept of cruelty free fashion. They work closely with us to find quality fabrics that are still affordable so we are able to offer the shoes at a contemporary price point.

9. Are you a vegan as well?
I’m technically Vegetarian due to ingredients in some foods, but overall I also try to avoid dairy.

10. Do any celebrities wear your shoes?
We made a custom pair of shoes for Miley Cyrus to wear at her wedding, and she also wore our shoes to the Grammys and Oscars. Our shoes have also been worn by Halsey, Ashley Graham, Whitney Cummings, Naturi Naughton and many other influencers. We’ve also been featured in Instyle Magazine, Us Magazine Vogue Italia, The New York Times, Women’s Wear Daily and the Coveteur.

11. What’s your motto in life?
I think it’s really important to never give up on something you truly believe in. It may not happen on your timeline but with persistence you will eventually achieve your goal or something better.

12. Social Media Info
@cultofcoquette

(Instagram and Twitter)

Facebook:

Facebook.com/cultofcoquette

1. Brand Name?
DALIA MACPHEE.

2. Where are you based?
Vancouver Canada and Los Angeles CA.

3. When were you founded?
Over 15 years ago.

4. Tell us about the process of launching your collection?
I started with a small collection of evening dresses. At that time it was a hot niche market. Since I have a huge love for gowns I figured if it didn’t work out I’d have a great personal collection!

With a handful of airline miles I headed out to one of the biggest tradeshows in the US.
I was one of the few female CEOs, and definitely the youngest amidst a sea of older men creating overly sexy beaded gowns for prom girls, quite the contrast to the clean, high fashion ballgowns and dresses I was presenting. My pieces were a hit and I knew I was on to something. I started hiring a sales team nationally and internationally, and the rest is history.

5. In Toronto, you are known as “Couture with a Conscious,” how did you get this name?
ET Canada coined the phrase. At the time they discovered me, I was one of the few designers
creating an all vegan collection in addition to being actively involved in human and planetary causes across the globe.

6. Please tell us how you are vegan friendly for your collection?
Vegan means no animal products, which includes no silk, since silk is actually accrued by killing the silk worm.
No animals harmed.

7. Please tell us about your Spring/Summer collection, what’s the style and what was your inspiration?
No matter what the current trends, and, as designers we always have to stay current, I do try to always honor my underlying theme of old Hollywood with a modern twist. This season I was very inspired by the magic of creation. Nature, art, shapes, color, all 4 elements present boldly in the Spring/Summer collection. I’ve been a huge renaissance and impressionist fan since I was a child, and loved being able to showcase that passion in this season’s prints.

8. Please tell me about the charities you are involved with, The Cinderella Project, and the Yes! Foundation?
With apparel being such a mainstream market, I think we have an ability and responsibility as designers to facilitate positive change on the planet. Each season I attend to causes near and dear to my heart. There have and continue to be several, but two of these are Cinderella project, and Yes! foundation. Cinderella project is a great organization that assists young ladies who do not have the financial means, to attend graduation/prom. I have donated gowns for this. Yes! is an incredible non profit that provides hope to cancer survivors, teaming them up with the medical resources that say Yes! when all others have said no. They also fly survivors out to the Oscars yearly as a welcomed escape from their daily struggles. I provide the gowns for this.

9. Please tell me about the Underwater campaign?
For years underwater has been one of my favorite mediums, since the water mimics wind and gives this incredible romantic flow to long draping fabrics. You feel as if you’ve been transported into a Caravaggio painting. One of the latest campaigns we did was to bring awareness to domestic violence and human trafficking.

We had celebrities Nia Peeples and Ashlan Gorse Cousteau and a few survivors whol wear gowns from my Spring Collection. We shot the entire campaign underwater.

10. Do any celebrities wear your collection?
I’ve been blessed to have dressed some of the biggest names in Hollywood, including Hilary Duff, Serena Williams, Heidi Klum, Gina Rodriguez, Mel B , Brooke Burke-Charvet, Olivia Munn, Amber Riley Nina Dobrev, and Scarlett Johansson. In my opinion however, the real celebrities are the customers who, for years, have supported and given “shine”to my designs.

11. We hear you’ve been working with a non human client recently. Can you explain?
Yes. I have been an avid equestrian all my life. I’m sure you have seen the recent coverage of the tragic California fires. Often horses have to be set loose due to fires spreading quickly and fire departments do not allow commercial trailers through main roads. I experienced this with my own horse during a major fire in Calabasas a few years ago, and the fire department actually said we should set the horses loose or hose them down so they burn slower. Necessity is the mother of all invention, and so from this was born The Equisafe blanket (a fully fire retardant blanket with built in GPS technology). This is meant as a last minute resort when a horse has to be set loose or as extra protection from embers while he is being led to safety or in an evacuation trailer. Unfortunately the horse does have to be set loose, the GPS will allow the owner to track in real time. I have about 20 more inventions I have created for animals that I will be releasing in the next 2 years.