Veggywood

I lived in London for six months during my last year of college, all through winter. Although not vegan at the time, I had stopped wearing leather, wool or silk in high school. I remember stubbornly wearing my worn out North Face (non-down) puffer coat all through Europe, until basically it was as flat as a pancake. It was about as unfashionable as you could get, but it kept a homesick California girl warm. That jacket was beat to hell when I got back to the States, but I hadn’t had any other choice– let’s face it, when you don’t wear wool or down, your cold weather options are severely limited.

I’m in sunny Los Angeles now, of course, but once in awhile I dream of traveling to far away, potentially chilly places, and instantly find myself dreading what uncouth coat I will have to take with me…

But that is now a thing of the past, thanks to Vaute Couture, a brand new vegan fashion house headed by model and designer Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart.

Pronounced “Vote” as a nod to the company’s submissioin-inspired design process, Vaute Couture’s first goal was to create an eco-friendly coat that would stand up to the notorious winters of Chicago, where both Vaute and Leanne are based. A quick glance at VauteCouture.com seems to prove that they overwhelmingly have succeeded. The coats are stunning, but the philosophy behind them even more so. Leanne and Vaute are dedicated to promoting both animal activism and fair labor practices, as well as the general idea of artistic community. Their designs are eco-friendly, 100% vegan and ethically produced… Not to mention super cute and fairly priced.

Leanne, I’m a believer!

Leanne!

Veggywood’s 9 Questions With Leanne Hilgart:

1. I’ve read that you got into animal rights really young, like me. I remember my first real understanding of “animal rights” came at 6 years old seeing an activist sticker in the veal section of our supermarket. What do you think opened up that world for you?

I told my 6 year old neighbor that her fur coat was “not nice at all!” and always had a love for animals, but had no trouble eating them either at the time. My mom got stickers from PETA in the mail (“unseen they suffer, unheard they cry…”) and gave them to me for my sticker collection. ☺ It made me realize maybe meat was not just food. I decided to do my 6th grade social studies report on factory farming, vivisection, and the fur industry… I was obsessed with knowing the truth.

2. I also read that you’ve modeled in Asia. They have such a terrible animal rights record. Did you see any light at the end of that tunnel while you were there? Do you think there is hope things will change for the better?

Hmm, I’m not an expert on international AR, but in Asia it seems there is some of the worst treatment and on the other hand, a history of several very beautiful belief systems of compassion for all beings, peace, and nonviolence. (This leads to some of the best veg food I’ve ever had— drooling just thinking about it!) I think as a global community we are collectively becoming more conscientious of others besides our own species… as Martin Luther King Jr. has said, “The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.” I really believe that.

3. I’m assuming you have a pet friendly office. Any pets of your own?

Whitman, who had his first modeling job in our Look Book, is our rescue from Chicago Animal Care- the city pound- where my college group volunteered 3x a week. He is sleeping on my lap right now and I cannot be in a bad mood around him!

Whitman!

4. Which coat is your favorite? Mine is the Cobalt Blue Pea although they are all gorgeous. [And now I own one! Yippee!]

Thanks, Polly. ☺ My favorite switches depending on what mood I’m in. Right now, I love the Bomono in blue… it’s so chic and comfy at once.

5. Your design process seems so democratic. What inspired that?

I love collaboration and building communities. I also love knowing that if I’m spending a full year putting my life savings into making something that it’s something people will actually want- it’s like a checks and balances system. I trust the community. ☺

6. The new line of t-shirts is so cool. What made you decide to branch out?

I made a tee for my bio photoshoot, and had some emails, “Um, where can I buy one?” I realized that maybe there was room for a chic line of positive compassion message tees.

Always, I say!

7. I love your coats, but since I’m a born and raised California girl, I gotta ask: any plans for a future line of sundresses or the like?

After creating the couture collection from our remnant fabrics, I strongly considered a spring line of rompers and dresses, but realized that with the limited time and funds I have right now, it’s better spent developing vegan fashion that doesn’t exist yet- the fabric R&D is such a big part of who we are. But I do love me some sundresses… definitely not counting it out. ☺

8. Do you think Los Angeles is a good vegan town? Have you spent much time here?

I will be visiting soon and can’t wait to check out all the lovely food and fashion!

Yeah!

9. What’s next for Vaute Couture?

le="color: rgb(102, 0, 204);">We are working on the R&D for a men’s outerwear line for FW10, and opening our first flagship boutique in Chicago this fall/winter, in Green Exchange, the world’s first epicenter of eco and socially conscious businesses, it’s LEED Platinum with a vegan restaurant and 9,000 square foot organic garden, and Conscious Living will be my neighbors (they moved in from your home state!) I’m psyched to wake up to all that!

Check out the whole Vaute Couture line HERE

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