“I am surrounded by volunteers, everything comes to fruition because the models and the team gave of their time,” said Emmanuelle Rienda, founder of Vegan Fashion Week, after returning from the event last weekend in the city center. in Los Angeles, for the first time since 2019.

You have to admire her determination to make LA the ethical fashion capital of the world. Rienda had to abandon its showroom to fund the third edition of the event, which was held on the top floor of the USC Tower. The theme was ‘Expansion’ and the runway collections of South Korean label Vegan Tiger, Argentinian label We Study (finalist for the LVMH Prize 2020) and others spoke about the growing popularity of cruelty-free fashion around the world.

Designer Romina Cardillo’s oversized coats, jackets and pants in biodegradable vinyl with puzzle-piece perforations proved vegan fashion can have an edgy flair, while silky-print pieces by Vegan Tiger in bright colors, a halter top and faux leather skirt, and The tiger print faux fur teddy coat had luxe streetwear appeal.

Rienda also introduced a trade show concept, inviting brands to open a boutique for attendees to discover cactus vegan leather accessories from Desserto from Mexico and vegan sock sneakers from veteran Parisian shoe designer David Tourniaire-Beauciel, the brand. of sneakers LA 53945.

“Without any marketing, California has become our second largest market,” said Samuel LeRoux, co-founder of the Montreal-certified B Corp Solios watch brand. Retailing for under $ 300, solar powered watches have vegan leather straps.

“This is my coming out vegan,” joked Sylven New York founder Casey Dworkin, who recently pivoted her four-year sustainable shoe brand to become fully vegan. Showing her bestseller “Almasi” in white apple leather, she pointed out the intersection of veganism and sustainability. “There are so many issues with the leather industry, and I’ve realized that the best thing I can do to reduce my carbon footprint is to stop using all animal products. “

While the fashion industry may be announcing its sustainability efforts and recent efforts to stop using fur, when it comes to finding sponsors for the Vegan Fashion Week brand, Rienda ran into a wall.

“I couldn’t find any and tried hard,” said the fashion activist. “I think because people are not ready for the vegan and I talk to a lot of people who still make leather… But I have a mission and it had to be done. I don’t want the message to die.

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