Caring Companies: Expensive Elegance from fur-free designers

Hi all!

Sorry it's been a while since my last post - I had a long weekend away shopping (which gave me some great ideas for blog posts which will be upcoming shortly) but unfortunately when I got back I was struck with a bad stomach virus - no doubt from travelling - and have been pretty much out of commission since. I still am bed-ridden, but you can always type on a laptop in bed!

So while away one of the main malls we went to is the Dolphin Mall in Miami, a fantastic outlet mall where bargains are rife. However, heading into the Saks outlet store (Off 5th Avenue) I realised that with department stores and other retailers that sell multiple brands, it's important to go in armed with your list of safe designers, otherwise you'll easily get distracted - there are so many brands under one roof. In general I try to discourage department store shopping because they do, ultimately, sell fur and brands that incorporate fur because they sell so many brands. But, if you do need to shop at them, just make sure you make guiltless decisions by ignoring products made by designers who can't seem to distance cruelty from glamour (attention chief offender: Michael Kors, who is the reason I don't watch Project Runway anymore).

The designers listed below (their names are linked to their own websites) are all cruelty-free, so click away for guiltless glamour galore!

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Ashley Paige
Ashley Watson
Bahar Shahpar
BCBG Max Azria group
BCBGeneration (part of the BCBG Max Azria group)
Benjamin Cho
Betsey Johnson
Calvin Klein
Charlotte Ronson
Cole Haan
Ed Hardy
Eddie Bauer
Gary Harvey
Guess?
Henri Bendel
Herve Leger (part of the BCBG Max Azria group)
Jay McCarroll
John Varvatos
Juicy Couture
Karen Walker
Katharine Hamnett
Kenneth Cole
Lara Miller
Lauren Conrad
Leanne Marshall (Project Runway season 5 winner - clearly did not emulate judge Michael Kors, thankfully!)
Linda Loudermilk
Liz Claiborne - please note, however, that Isaac Mizrahi, who has designed a discounted line of clothing for Liz Claiborne, DOES use fur in his designs
Lucky Brand Jeans
Mac & Jac
Malan Breton
Mango
Marc Bouwer
Matt and Nat
Nicole Miller
Olsen Haus - no leather either (vegan shoe line)
John Patrick - organic line
Paul Frank
Polo Ralph Lauren
Rebecca Beeson
Rebecca Taylor
Sheila Frank
Stella McCartney
Steve Madden
Stewart + Brown
Timberland
Todd Oldham
Tommy Hilfiger
Victoria Bartlett/VPL
William Rast

Guiltless Goodies: Stella McCartney's chunky knits

Expensive Elegance:

I heart Stella McCartney. And I absolutely love knit sweaters and cardis for all times of year, but especially in fall and winter. The one below is one of my faves. At that price, I will have to admire from a distance, but to anyone who can afford it - lucky you! Wrap yourself up and read a book on a cold night.

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Stella McCartney cashmere wool hand knit mouline cape, $1,275, StellaMcCartney.com

Guiltless Goodies: Vegan shoes that are H-O-T!

These were worth a post just on their own! G-o-r-g-e-o-u-s - another double G definitely deserving of this blog!

You don't have to be cruel to be kind,

GiGi

Expensive Elegance:

Called "Monkey" these shoes retail for $330, according to Oprah magazine.

Speaking of Oprah's magazine, Adam Glassman, the magazine's creative director, had also picked out this pair of shoes from the vegan shoe website MinkShoes.com.

Here's some info about MinkShoes.com's shoes:

MINK shoes are custom designed and hand crafted from only the finest quality non-animal products. Natural or scientifically engineered alternatives such as cork, denim, linen, faux fur, and other animal friendly substitutes are employed. Leather, suede, pelts, and skins are never used. MINK Shoes adheres to a strict policy of animal preservation, protection, and safeguarding in its designs. Each shoe is extremely unique and is offered in a very limited production.