Vegan Fashion Week returned to LA over two days on 8-9 October 2021 to present a curated lineup of international designers who are leading the way in compassionate, sustainable fashion.
The event saw industry professionals and fashion lovers gather in the historic heart of downtown LA for a series of four runway shows, where trailblazing ethical labels from around the world presented their new collections.
Creativity with conscience
The shows brought to life new collections from Vegan Tiger, one of Korea’s most prominent vegan fashion brands, LA label Fan All Flames, making its first runway appearance, Nous Étudions (Argentina, LVMH Prize Shortlists 2020) and newly-launched fashion brand Pure Void by US artist Parker Day.
In addition to the shows, attendees explored the work of leading ethical fashion creatives through the Vegan World designer showroom and pop-up marketplace, with collections featuring the latest in designer clothing, shoes, accessories, cruelty-free beauty, and plant-based textile innovations.
Runway showstoppers, from left to right: Vegan Tiger (South Korea), Nous Étudions (Argentina), Fan All Flames (USA), and Pure Void (USA)
The Vegan Fashion Week story so far
Since its founding in 2019 (and despite being interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic during 2020 and 2021), Vegan Fashion Week has firmly established itself as the world’s leading ethical platform dedicated to animal-free and sustainable innovation.
The driving force behind the biannual fashion event is LA-based French creative director Emmanuelle Rienda. She launched the initiative after awakening to the dark side of mainstream fashion, in which unjust and unsustainable practices come at a high cost to people, animals and planet.
Her intent from the outset was to create a platform of discovery and inspiration for the industry by elevating conscious brands and creators from around the world.
An ethical expansion
This season’s event was the third in-person Vegan Fashion Week since its inception. With the theme of ‘Expansion’, it showcased designers who are redefining fashion, stepping up to meet the expectations of consumers whose widening moral circles demand new definitions of style and beauty.
“Vegan Fashion Week is a snapshot of this buzzing unleashed creativity, waiting for the right platform to exist,” she says. “We represent the voice of a generation that is tired of being greenwashed or fed elitist narratives.”
In line with her mission of building an inclusive movement, she adds: “It is not about being perfect, it’s about inspiring change and creating an ecosystem around values that are truly impactful for humans and non-humans.”
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In attendance
The October event attracted high-profile vegan enthusiasts including Annika Noelle (The Bold and the Beautiful), Tara Reid (American Pie), and model Katarina Van Derham, along with other industry insiders, press and influencers.
Alongside the fashion shows, the Vegan World showroom featured collections from: Lunar Method (Mexico), Awear (Venice Beach), Sylth Virago (New York), VeganWear, R99 (Norway), Dr. Martens (vegan line), Premium Basics (Italy), Shoes 53045 (LA), Solios Watches (Canada), Fleur and Bee, Maria Nila (Stockholm), Sylven (New York) and Anew Atelier (Sydney).
A rising Aussie star
Up-and-coming Australian brand Anew Atelier was represented at the Vegan World showroom, showcasing its destination-inspired vegan accessories made from apple peel leather and Eco-PU.
Sydney-based founder Gemma Trebilco launched her label in 2020 with the intent to challenge the idea of what beautiful, long-lasting fashion accessories could be, and could be made from.
Combining cruelty-free ethics, minimalist aesthetics, and a globally-conscious multicultural spirit, her timeless, nature-inspired designs are at the forefront of a movement that is redefining beauty and luxury.
