Vaute with your Wallet

Veganism
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Did you happen to notice my cute new winter coat in that photo with my Hawthornden fellows? I'll show you again.(Yes, I am blogging about my winter coat on the fourth of July. Ha!)hawthornden fellowsGorgeous, right? It's also nice and warm. Best of all, it's not made of sheep!If you're one of my knitting buds, you know I've given up knitting with wool. As Victoria Moran points out in Main Street Vegan, the wool industry IS the mutton industry. Now that I've made that connection in my head, I can't un-know it. I can't de-understand it. I am ready to make better choices.Until recently, though, vegans living in cold climates didn't have very good outerwear options. Now, thanks to Leanne Mai-Ly Hilgart at Vaute Couture (pronounced "vote"), you can be snuggly, stylish, and ethical.P1090546Rain and Stephanie at the Vaute Couture flagship store at 234 Grand Street in Williamsburg.Depending on your budget, Vaute Couture coats may be "pricey"--they are made in the NYC garment district by people who are paid fairly for what they do. You can preorder in late summer for up to 50% savings; I paid $220 for mine, which is what I'd have paid for a quality wool coat (probably made in a sweatshop) anyway. Get on their mailing list (click here and scroll to the bottom of the page) and they'll let you know when pre-orders are starting.As with anything else in life, you get what you pay for. And I feel awesome every time I put on my coat.

Earlier this year Vaute Couture launched their ready-to-wear line--the first all-vegan clothing line at New York City fashion week!--and it got lots of good press. I love this video.otts(Amiee took this shot of me with my new Maidenhair fern at Ott's Greenhouse back in March. Have I mentioned yet how much I love this coat?)Next up: coming full circle with PETA at NYU.(See all Main Street Vegan Academy posts here.)