Above advert, courtesy of fashion.net

Below image from latest NOHARM collection.

Whether you’re out backpacking, car camping or just sitting around the backyard firepit, your feet will truly appreciate our packable, water-repellent Radler Trail Camp. This lightweight shoe zips completely into itself, so they won’t take up much space in your pack, and as they’re fleece-lined for comfort and feature 42% recycled rubber lug outsoles for superior traction in the woods, you can comfortably venture out to collect more firewood or grab another marshmallow. Imported.

Details:

Compact upper design is easily packable for hiking and camping
Can be attached to the outside of your pack with a carabiner when zipped into itself
DWR (durable water repellent) treated ripstop fabric
Removable fleece-lined footbed for underfoot warmth and comfort
Durable Green Rubber™ outsole is made of 42% recycled rubber and features a clean profile and slight lug for traction

Eleven retailers face potential civil and criminal penalties for real fur sold as faux

The Humane Society of the United States filed a legal petition with the FederalTrade Commission against 11 nationally and internationally known retailers for the false advertising and mislabeling of fur trimmed products.

The retailers advertised various items as being made with “faux” fur, even though the products contain real animal fur.

“There is an epidemic of false advertising in the fur industry,” said Jonathan R. Lovvorn, senior vice president and chief counsel for animal protection litigation for The HSUS. “Consumers have a right to know what they’re buying, but many major retailers just don’t seem to care if consumers are deceived, even though real fur is something many consumers are determined to avoid.”

The petition names Dillard’s, Neiman Marcus, Barneys, Beyond the Rack, ShopBop, Dr. Jays, Revolve Clothing, Gilt Groupe, Ssense, Summit Sports, and Yoox, each of which falsely advertised jackets, cardigans, shoes or other products as containing “faux” fur. Independent laboratory testing confirmed that the products contain real animal fur.

The facts on fur labeling

* Congress enacted the Fur Products Labeling Act in 1951 in response to rampant false advertising and false labeling of animal fur garments.

* The Fur Products Labeling Act requires that animal fur products be labeled with the name of the species used, the manufacturer, country of origin, and other information and prohibits the sale and advertising of fur products that have been falsely or deceptively advertised.

* Violations of the Fur Products Labeling Act carry up to a $5,000 fine and up to a year in prison.

* The Federal Trade Commission is tasked with enforcing the Fur Products Labeling Act and protecting consumers from deception.

* Last year Congress passed and President Obama signed the Truth in Fur Labeling Act to strengthen the Fur Products Labeling Act and close a loophole that previously allowed some fur trimmed garments to be sold without labels. The new law will help prevent false advertising by requiring retailers to affix clear labels to the garments themselves.

Media contact: Anna West, 301-258-1518, awest@humanesociety.org.

The FDA has rejected a petition to ban certain antibiotics for use in livestock that are important for the preservation of human health. The two petitions, filed by the Center for Science in the Public Interest, Environmental Defense, the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Public Health Association, Food Animal Concerns Trust (FACT), and the Union of Concerned Scientists, were requested in 1999 and 2005, according to Food Safety News.

The FDA has announced that it will reject two petitions filed that would have banned the use of some antibiotics in livestock. Food Safety News reports:

The agency cited statutory hurdles — such as a notice to the drug maker and an evidentiary hearing on the matter — as reason to deny the petition. “FDA cannot withdraw approval of a new animal drug until the legally-mandated process is complete.”

Here’s the Eco Hustler’s story:

Founded and Created by: Eco Hustler.

“I woke up immediately back when Al Gore’s film “Inconvenient Truth” was about to drop and at the same time I was trying to get out of my gas guzzling SUV. Being open for something new off I went to the Ford dealership, by the way I have never been into a Ford anything. Damn! a Brotha was blown away after driving the Ford Escape Hybrid. I had to keep my game face on to hide my excitement from the salesman and yes, I did buy the Hybrid right on the spot.

Now I have a custom New York Recycles license plate that says “BLKECO” mad funny, right? I thought you would think so. While making my life more eco-friendly ie; cool black hemp shopping bags, low toilets, eco-lighting, eco friendly clothing, public transportation, recycling, composting, cycling etc… I had to figure out a way to help on a larger scale but up until this point I was torturing family, friends and anyone that would listen to my eco-ego.

So I came up with ecohookups.com a social hybrid community bringing together social networking with purpose helping Green become second nature, fun, modern and cool. And with this new voice in the Green Arena it was only fitting that I create a new alias and the “Eco Hustler” was born.

Peace and look forward to connecting with you…”

World Vegan Day is an annual event celebrated on 1 November, by vegans around the world. The Day was established in 1944 by Louise Wallis, then President & Chair of The Vegan Society UK.

TV spot depicts how even small acts can make a difference when one environmentally-heroic moment (recycling a runaway water bottle) becomes an adrenaline-fueled outdoor experience.

For the launch of the My Monogram service on Small Leather Goods, Louis Vuitton asked British Artist Billie Achilleos to work on 4 animals made of Louis Vuitton Small Leather Goods.

OAT apparently offers the world’s premier certified-biodegradable leather shoe. OAT’s new “Limited Skin” collection is a series of loud trainers lined with organic-cotton fleece and soft pique cotton. The leathers, a product of Hulshof Royal Dutch Tanneries in Lichtenvoorde, are tanned using nontoxic agents and 100 percent biodegradable when you bury them underground.

The Hulshof royal Dutch Tanneries was founded in 1876. The company is one of the largest European producers of high quality upholstery leather, processing many thousands of hides every week. This production is supplied almost exclusively to the different world markets of the furniture and aviation industry. The leather is produced and specially finished all in the Royal Dutch Tannery.

H&M first entered Greenpeace’s sights after it discovered links with factories that were discharging hazardous chemicals into China’s rivers.

H&M, the world’s second-largest clothing retailer, first entered Greenpeace’s sights after investigations revealed links between major fashion brands and factories that were discharging hazardous chemicals, including hormone-disruptors such as nonylphenol ethoxylates, into China’s rivers.

“In countries such as China where we have hundreds of thousands of people living near factories, but not knowing what toxic and often invisible chemicals are being discharged into local water supplies,” says Yifang Li, a campaigner for Greenpeace East Asia, in a statement. “H&M’s commitment to publicly disclose pollution information is the start of something truly important.”

Greenpeace will be following H&M’s progress closely, adds Li, while encouraging Chinese brands to provide greater transparency. “People have a right to know this information,” she says.

Puma has collaborated with a long listed of labels such as Alexander McQueen, Mihara Yasuhiro and Sergio Rossi.

The “Re-Suede,” is a revised version of thew 1968 classic and is made with 100 percent recycled materials and a new outsole derived from rice husks. Compared with virgin materials, the synthetic Ultrasuede upper is said to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions by 80 percent. The Double R Rice Rubber outsole, which substitutes a portion of the latex content with a rice-husk filler, also saves fossil-fuel energy in manufacturing and agricultural resources, says Puma.

Vivienne Westwood’s Ethical Fashion Africa collection has a holistic approach that is 100% dedicated to supporting disadvantaged communities to improve lives. Dame Westwood’s involvement in the Ethical Fashion Programme allows thousands of women to support themselves and their families with a life-long trade.

The collar of the coat collects rain, which is then filtered down the back of the coat where it would be passed through charcoal filters and then purified using a chemical process. The water is then stored around the hips of the coat where the weight can be ergonomically carried by the wearer without strain. The aesthetics of the coat are simple but elegant, showing the water and the internal workings of the coat, but hiding the water storage to maintain a clean form factor.

New Styles include: The NOHARM leather-free lace-up ankle boot easily compares with the most exclusive traditional designer brands. The style is clean and elegant and reflects a smart-casual and sophisticated lifestyle choice. The boot could easily be worn to “dress-up” a pair of jeans or conversely compliment a pair of trousers for a smart-casual event.

NOHARM is strongly opposed to child-labour and worker exploitation. These stylish and ethically responsible boots are hand-crafted in Italy.

All ingredients and components used to manufacture NOHARM footwear are meticulously researched to ensure the finished product conforms to Vegan Society standards. NOHARM is a proud recipient of the Vegan Society Trademark.

Director of physical-therapy research at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Stuart Warden, who tackled the subject earlier this month at the American College of Sports Medicine meeting in Denver see positives and negatives. Some might say in the modern day environment we need more not less foot protection.

A collection of sustainable fashion eyewear exploring the potential of Human hair.

The UK beauty industry imports 15 million pounds worth of human hair per year. As the world’s population continues to increase, human hair has been reimagined as a viable—importantly renewable–material.

Hair Glasses comprises of human hair with bioresin as a binding agent, the frames are 100% biodegradable and no harmful substances are released during production.

Studio Swine explores how the booming production of hair extensions can be expanded beyond the beauty industry to make other commodities that are equally desirable.

The workshop creates various unique handmade products made from recycled and up-cycled newspapers and other natural materials. All of the materials used in our workshop are environmentally friendly and sustainable. The products produced in our workshop include flip flops, sandals, bags, pencil boxes, and more.

This is in response to the United Nations’ recommendation to eat less meat and more bugs instead. A recommendation that not only addresses food security but environmental/sustainability issues as well. Watch the video below as it singles out western aversion to entomophagy, which it says might not last long when economic realities set in.

An Oxford is a style of laced shoe characterized by shoelace eyelet tabs that are stitched underneath the vamp, a construction method that is also sometimes referred to as “closed lacing”. Oxfords first appeared in Scotland and Ireland, where they are occasionally called Balmorals after the Queen’s castle in Scotland, Balmoral. Most shoe stores will refer to Oxfords as bal-type opposed to blucher-type. In France, Oxfords are better known under the name of Richelieu.

Oxfords are traditionally constructed of leather and were historically plain, formal shoes but are now available in a range of styles and materials that complement both casual and formal forms of dress. It is derived from the Oxonian, a half-boot with side slits that gained popularity at Oxford University in 1800. The side slit evolved into a side lace that eventually moved to the instep, as students rebelled against knee-high and ankle-high boots. The toe cap can either be lined with two narrow rows of stitching, perforated holes along the end cap stitching (quarter-brogue), perforated holes along the end cap stitching and on the toe cap (semi-brogue), or a semi-brogue with the classical wingtip design (full-brogue).

Oxfords, characterized by shoelace eyelet tabs that are stitched underneath the vamp contrast with Derbys, or blücher design, characterized by shoelace eyelet tabs that are sewn on top of the vamp.

The meanings of the terms Oxford and Balmoral vary geographically; in the U.S., “Balmoral” is synonymous with “Oxford”, while “Oxford” is often used to refer to any “dressy” style of shoe, including the Blücher (Derby); elsewhere, especially in Britain, the Balmoral is a particular type of Oxford where there are no seams (apart from the toe cap) descending to the welt, a style particularly common on boots. The bal-type shoe (Oxford) is considered more formal than the bücher-type (Derby/Gibson) design.

Oxfords can be made from a variety of materials including leather, patent leather and canvas based on considerations of function or fashion. These are commonly black or brown, and may be plain or ornately styled Brogues.

No time to head to the forest or the beach? Bring nature to you by stepping into a pair of insoles made with living moss or river rocks. Created by Kristin Neidlinger, Natura is a line of shoe inserts designed to augment balance and reconnect the body with nature. The “Pathos” range uses all-natural elements, gathered locally near Mendocino Headlands State Park, that Neidlinger plants into a 100 percent latex footbed. Combined with a wireless audio device that plays the sounds of nature, the shoes transport you to a more tranquil path. Who needs Calgon?

NATURA, TAKE ME AWAY

By putting nature in direct contact with your soles, which are equipped with fine-tuned nerve receptors, Pathos provides an immediate sensory experience akin to walking barefoot. It’s hard for city dwellers to connect with anything other than concrete and the occasional patch of grass, so the insoles act as nature therapy. A wireless mic enhances the experience by piping the sound of your footfalls to your headphones, further reinforcing your connection with the natural world.

For city dwellers who are unable to connect with anything but concrete, the insoles act as nature therapy.

If you’d rather not have a terrarium in your shoe, Neidlinger also designed the Natura Virtual, a haptic insole that vibrates to mimic the feeling of walking on moss, sand, or rocks. Its uneven surface also forces you to work on your balance and posture as you walk, helping to restore not only your sense of equilibrium but also retrain any vestibular disorders. Made in San Francisco, the Natura Pathos and Virtual are both in concept stages.

The NOHARM leather-free lace-up ankle boot easily compares with the most exclusive traditional designer brands. The style is clean and elegant and reflects a smart-casual and sophisticated lifestyle choice. The boot could easily be worn to “dress-up” a pair of jeans or conversely compliment a pair of trousers for a smart-casual event.

NOHARM is strongly opposed to child-labour and worker exploitation. These stylish and ethically responsible boots are hand-crafted in Italy.

All ingredients and components used to manufacture NOHARM footwear are meticulously researched to ensure the finished product conforms to Vegan Society standards. NOHARM is a proud recipient of the Vegan Society Trademark.

Students at Bath University make a whole line of shoes out of Cheese! Somerset cheese manufacturer, Pilgrims Choice, enlisted 50 first-year co-eds from the Textile Design for Fashion and Interiors program to design the fermented footwear as part of a national “cheese couture” competition. We were especially intrigued by Lisa Dillon’s “Jimmy Cheese” platform wedges, which she cobbled together from cheddar and bread. A stale cheese sandwich, in fact, served as part of the sole. And the heel? A sculpted block of the finest West Country cheddar.

CO2 Offsetting

FYE undertook a carbon footprint study and found out that a pair of FYE shoes is of 2800 g eq. CO2 and 319 g CO2 eq / 100 g UVC. Read the full study here. To offset this CO2, the company is taking part in UN’s “One Billion Trees” campaign; a pair of FYE purchased = 1 tree planted.

Of course these shoes are by no means perfect… I doubt that we can talk about upcycling in this case. Different materials, technical and biological, glued and melted together makes upcycling impossible, in case the old shoes actually make it back to the factory, which with the current recycling system in place, is highly unlikely and inefficient. It would also be nice to achieve a more local production, but compared to other footwear on the market, I guess these guys are doing alright and are definitely walking into the right direction.

E6 Cattle rears calves for use on dairy farms, confining approximately 10,000 calves and subjecting them to lives of prolonged neglect and misery. For over two weeks in March of 2011, an MFA undercover investigator documented the operation’s deplorable conditions and brutal mistreatment of animals.

MFA’s hidden camera reveals:

* Workers bludgeoning calves in their skulls with pickaxes and hammers — often involving 5 to 6 blows, sometimes more — before rendering the animals unconscious

* Beaten calves, still alive and conscious, thrown onto dead piles

* Workers kicking downed calves in the head, and standing on their necks and ribs

* Calves confined to squalid hutches, thick with manure and urine buildup, and barely large enough for the calves to turn around or fully extend their legs

* Gruesome injuries and afflictions, including open sores, swollen joints and severed hooves

* Ill, injured and dying calves denied medical care

* The budding horns of calves burned out their skulls without painkillers

Upon reviewing the undercover footage, Temple Grandin, PhD, animal welfare advisor to USDA, declared: “It is obvious that both the management and the employees have no regard for animal welfare.”

Colorado State University Professor of Animal Sciences Dr. Bernard Rollin also condemned the operation: “I urge everyone in a position of authority to serve notice to the world that this sort of behavior has no place in a society wishing to consider itself civilized. These people must be corrected with the full force of the legal system.”

Dr. Armaiti May, a practicing veterinarian experienced in the care of farmed animals, echoed Dr. Rollin’s sentiment, recommending that “charges of animal cruelty be brought against the workers involved and that the farm be shut down for cruel treatment of animals and lack of proper oversight of its workers.”

The owner of E6 Cattle required his employees to bash in the calves’ heads with a claw hammer, forcing them to condemn calves to a prolonged and horrific death. As Debra Teachout, DVM, asserts, “They feel every blow until they become unconscious.” The American Veterinary Medical Association condemns the use of blows to the head as a means of killing young calves.

Following the undercover investigation, MFA alerted law enforcement authorities to violations of Texas anti-cruelty law at E6 Cattle, and presented a detailed legal complaint and meticulously compiled evidence of such violations to the Castro County District Attorney and sheriff. The evidence demonstrated an ongoing pattern of torture, unjustifiable infliction of pain and suffering on animals, and a failure to provide necessary medical care.

As MFA continues to expose the unconscionable cruelties of animal agriculture, and to diligently pursue justice by aiding prosecutions of animal abusers, consumers still hold the greatest power of all to end the needless suffering and death of calves — and all farmed animals — by adopting a compassionate, vegan diet.

TAUKO collections and classics are for everyday and festive use. Our original style also appears in costumes designed for various performances.

TAUKO clothes are 99% made of recycled materials, and for the rest, local and organic materials are used. Each piece is unique, expressing the characteristics of the materials in the spirit of Nordic aesthetics. All the designs are crafted in Helsinki, mostly by us, providing an alternative to mass-products and disposables.

TAUKO begun creative exploration of recycled materials with household textiles, which still form a large part of our design resources. Since then, various new materials ranging from hospital textiles to seat belts and bicycle inner tubes have served as inspiration to the collections. TAUKO is always looking for new stories to be told with yesterday’s remains.

Clothing retailers today face accusations of bad practice as a new report claims garment workers making their jeans may be facing unacceptable health risks. The report uncovers that operators who blast sand at denim to create a distressed look are liable to contract a fatal lung disease. According to this research, tens of thousands of people working in the jeans industry are at risk of dying.

Jeans with the faded or worn out look achieved by sandblasting often retail for as much as 180% of the price of a normal denim. Yet the hidden cost is paid by sandblasting operators working in the countries such as Bangladesh, China, Mexico and Egypt, many of whom contract an acute form of the fatal lung disease silicosis due to fine silica particles gathering in the lung.

The report, released by workers’ rights group Labour Behind the Label, states that in Turkey alone, 47 former sandblasting operators are known to have died as a result of work related silicosis before the practice was banned by the government in April 2009. Doctors suspect that as many as 5,000 Turkish workers may be suffering from unreported instances of the disease as a direct result of this killer fashion trend.

Abdulhalim Demir, a former Turkish Sandblasting worker and father of 3 said: “All the workers who worked in this profession are sick now… My illness has progressed to 46 percent of my lungs. I can’t do physical work, I can’t run or climb. If I catch a cold, it is very dangerous for me. I am short of breath all the time and I can’t talk. In many cases I have to go to hospital for a month and get direct oxygen.”

“The trend for Killer Jeans must be phased out by companies and rejected by consumers” said Sam Maher, the report’s author. “Companies such as Asda George and River Island who are failing to engage have no excuse when the lives of thousands of workers are at risk.”

“Still, actions taken by companies alone will not be enough to cover the entire sector. We encourage governments to look into a possible importation ban for these jeans”, added Ms Maher.

Dr. Yesim Yasin of the Turkish Solidarity Committee seeking compensation for workers effected by the practice made further comment: “We also want these brands to take up responsibility for the damage done, and ensure that proper medical care and compensations are given to the victims of jeans sandblasting.”

Jeans brand Levi-Strauss and fashion giant Hennes & Mauritz (H&M), among others have made public statements in the last six months announcing that they will stop selling sandblasted jeans.

Labour Behind the Label are today joining an international call to demand that all jeans brands stop selling sandblasted products with immediate effect, and take responsibility for workers already affected by performing medical checks and providing compensation for affected workers. Consumers are also encouraged to tell their favourite brands they won’t accept the practice of selling killer jeans.

Why waste it when you can wear it? For Michael Massimi, the invasive-species coordinator at the Barataria-Terrebonne National Estuary Progream (BTNEP), morphing nutria fur into a fashion “must-have” was a natural response to the invading critters. A semi-aquatic rodent indigenous to South America, nutria (Myocastor coypus) was imported to Louisiana in the 1930s for the fur-farming industry. After being released—whether intentionally or accidentally—into the wild, they’ve damaged coastal wetlands with their voracious appetites. Massimi’s role under the BTNEP, one of 28 programs established by Congress through the Clean Water Act, is to preserve Louisiana’s coastal vegetation and ecosystem. His No. 1 priority? Culling the nutria.

Reviving the ancient Christian Tradition of abstaining from meat consumption during Lent, we respectfully invite all Christians to use VEG4LENT as a period of reflection and prayer for all those currently condemned to the slaughterhouse.

As a contemporary adaptation of an ancient tradition, we politely urge each participant to adopt a vegetarian diet for each and every day between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

Grant Delgatty was a shoe designer for over a decade – working with K-Swiss, Puma, and Vans -before he decided he’d had enough of trying to think of what consumers would want in a season or two. Instead, he endeavored to create a line of shoes consumers could customize for themselves, by choosing soles and switching out uppers when they were worn, out of style, or didn’t match a wearer’s mood. Even better, Delgatty made the soles of the shoes recyclable. Thus, Urshuz (pronounced ‘Yer shoes’) were born.

Nien Lam and Sue Ngo, two graduate students in NYU’s interactive telecommunications program, said they wanted to make a statement about air pollution while also remaining conscious of fashion. Drawing inspiration from the Hypercolor T-shirts of yore, the “Warning Signs” line was born.

There are currently just two shirts, one emblazoned with a heart and the other emblazoned with a pair of lungs. The organs have blue veins that glow when in contact with high levels of carbon monoxide.

Next up, says Ngo, is alcohol sensing clothing whose liver lights up when you get too drunk.

warning signs from Susan Ngo on Vimeo.

The kit combines French je nais se quoi with Nike’s technical and ergonomic innovations. “This jersey represents the spirit of French elegance, something recognized all over the world,” says Laurent Blanc, France’s coach. “The true collar, the new blue, the addition of the red really enhance the new kit. It goes well with the philosophy I want to create: creativity, humbleness, and ambition.”

The short comprises 100 percent recycled PET polyester, while the shirt combines the material with 4 percent organic cotton.

In addition to Nike’s Dri-FIT technology and engineered ventilation systems that keep players cool, the kit also adopts the company’s Considered Design ethos. The short comprises 100 percent recycled PET polyester, while the shirt combines the material with 4 percent organic cotton.

Printed above the FFF badge, just over the players’ hearts, is the motto “Nos Differences Nous Unissent”—our differences unite us. Tres bon.

Take a look at these vegan brogues available at Amazon and Togged:

The NOHARM Brown leather-free traditional brogue lace-up shoe radiates a clean and sophisticated style. The look is sharp and elegant and will compliment a suit, trousers or jeans in either a social or business environment. These stylish and ethically responsible shoes are hand-crafted in Italy (NOHARM is strongly opposed to child-labour and worker exploitation). The unique lining is designed to dissipate perspiration and drastically reduce odor. All ingredients and components used to manufacture NOHARM footwear are meticulously researched to ensure the finished product conforms to Vegan Society standards. NOHARM is a proud recipient of the Vegan Society Trademark. All shoes are carefully packaged in biodegradable boxes which are printed with environmentally-friendly ink.

According to Denmark’s fashion forum the grievances that the fur lobby filed, regarding mainstream media coverage of conditions on Danish fur farms, were officially rejected just before the holiday season.

Almost exactly one year ago, Minister Eva Kjer Hansen of Denmark stated that “Mink breeders break animal welfare rules. And that is unacceptable,” after the Danish newspaper Politiken published this article (Danish): Mink live under bad conditions in two out of three farms. That came after fox farming was outlawed in Denmark following a 2009 undercover investigation from the Danish animal rights organization, Anima. The investigation sent shock-waves through the Danish media, exposing http://anima.dk/billeder/blog/svenskmink.jpghorrible conditions on fur farms, and contradicting the multimillion-dollar marketing efforts of the fur industry and fur lobby groups like Kopenhagen Fur, which are headquartered in Denmark.

As the fur industry continues to dispute all claims made by animal advocates in the EU, and has even filed official complaints about the press itself. It’s important to point out that, while animal advocates have nothing to gain financially from documenting and exposing these farms, the fur industry stands to lose billions – so it’s no surprise when they deny clearly documented facts. This is something of which the Danish government is well aware.

The Danish TV station, TV2, recently did a follow-up on 2009′s Operation X, and this wasn’t to the liking of the Danish fur industry, so they filed a complaint with the Danish media board (Pressenævnet). According to politiken.dk the fur industry claimed that the images in the documentary were used in a misleading way to make matters worse then they are. They didn’t get very far with their complaint and the media board rejected it. The animal rights group Anima’s documentation is supported by the government. It seems our politicians could learn a lot from the Danish!

Seems that no tannery in Australia works with the cane toad leather, so Gideon Shoes have to buy their leather from Indonesian tanneries, which kind of defeats the purpose of using a dreaded Australian feral pest. But the Ted Noffs Foundation, the charity behind Gideon Shoes and the The Street University – a retreat for marginalised kids in Sydney, used this anomaly to generate a good deal of media coverage just before Christmas.

They are calling on Australian Tanneries to embrace cane toads for leather production. Although at $540 a pair, I don’t imagine there will be a great deal of volume in it. But the shoes are handmade in Australia, using kangaroo and cane toad leather, mostly as a fundraiser to carry on the work of the aforementioned Ted Noffs Foundation.

More than 200 fashion leaders in Norway are rallying behind the cause. Save the critters!

Oslo Fashion Week in Norway will look a little different this February. Men and women will be unashamedly fur-less.

Forest creatures and animal lovers can thank a group called Mote Mot Pels (Fashion Against Fur) for the pelt prohibition. The fur-loving group won the support of fashion giants like Norwegian Elle, Norwegian Cosmopolitan and designers Leila Hafzi and Thomas Ryen to cap their victory.

Stella McCartney’s Russian return a boutique affair

Through the window of Moscow’s premiere department store, home of her new boutique, Stella McCartney can look out at the glitzy shop that, at the peak of Russia’s lavish spending, used to be all hers.

The return of the British designer, who on Thursday night opened her concession at TSUM — prime retail space only steps from fabled Red Square — cements the revival of the country’s love for luxury.

The comeback, via a partnership with TSUM, was more subdued than the grand opening of McCartney’s own store in 2007, which closed after only 18 months when the financial crisis halted Russia’s seemingly insatiable demand for expensive clothes.

“The current global economic environment has made these companies thrifty. They are not willing to spend that much on a market that may prove risky and volatile for their brand,” said Ekaterina Petukhova, head of Esper Group, a Moscow-based fashion consultancy.

Russia’s luxury market is set to grow by 16 percent this year, significantly outpacing the world’s 10 percent growth rate, according to Esper Group.

This is a huge improvement over the past couple of years when the exuberant spending of the Russian customer — whose wealth is often rooted in the country’s vast natural resources such as oil, gas and metals — nearly halved.

But the expected growth this year is still some distance away from the gains pocketed by famous designers before the crisis.

“We speak of a quality revival of the market, i.e. customers shopping for luxury and frequenting stores but the foot traffic is still below the pre-crisis level as well as the average bill amount,” Petukhova said.

“The market is waiting for new participants and new openings after the crisis,” she added.

A Humane Society of the United States Investigation Reveals “Faux Fur” Deception

WASHINGTON (Dec. 21, 2010)–The Humane Society of the United States revealed through laboratory testing that a Phillip Lim brand parka sold online by Barneys New York as “faux fur” is real animal fur, and that the same Phillip Lim parka was sold in the Manhattan flagship store without the “real fur” label required by New York state law.

“Consumers have a right to know what they are buying,” said Pierre Grzybowski, manager of the Fur-Free Campaign at The HSUS. “The Humane Society of the United States calls on Barneys to take immediate action to ensure that unsuspecting consumers are not duped into purchasing animal fur when they intend to purchase a cruelty-free alternative.”

August 2007: New York state fur labeling bill signed into law requiring all animal fur to be indicated as “real fur” on label.

Selling unlabeled real animal fur-trim jackets has been allowed for decades through a loophole in the nearly 60-year-old federal fur labeling law, but a new bill signed on Saturday by President Obama will close this loophole. H.R.2480, The Truth in Fur Labeling Act, will take effect in March and will require all garments made with animal fur to be labeled and advertised with the correct species of animal on the label. It is unlawful to describe garments containing animal fur as “faux fur.” Violations of the federal fur labeling law carry up to a $5,000 fine and a year in prison.

New York state passed its own law several years ago to address this deception in the marketplace and protect consumers. Under New York state law, fur garments must be identified as “real fur” or “faux fur” on a fixed label. Violations carry penalties of up to $500 for the first violation and up to $1,000 for each subsequent violation.

Timeline and Facts:

* • Dec. 18, 2010: President Obama signs H.R. 2480, the Truth in Fur Labeling Act, into law. It goes into effect 90 days from the time of signing.
* • August 2010: HSUS investigators purchased a 3.1 Phillip Lim brand “amber…oversized silk blend button front parka with removable faux fur collar trim” from Barneys.com. Hangtag indicates: “Style: F110-8156HST.” Lab results: animal in the Canidae Family, possibly coyote.
* • September 2010: HSUS investigators purchased a 3.1 Phillip Lim brand “amber…oversized parka w/dlbe function removable fur clr” from the Barneys New York flagship store in Manhattan. Hangtag indicates: “Style: F110-8156HST.” There is no label indicating whether the fur is real or fake. HSUS has confirmed the fur is real animal fur.

Portman, who is also the new face of Christian Dior, could now walk without any hassle knowing that her designer shoes are leather free.

Women's Vegan Shoes for Natalie Portman

The 29-year-old vegan actress was reportedly hesitant about signing up to be the spokesperson for the leather-loving luxury fashion line.

And then the French fashion house designed special shoes for the actress that were free of animal products.

“It was definitely a war inside my head for a long time and finally, I was like, we can actually do something very positive with this, especially given the kind of company Dior is, which is truly elegant,” the New York daily new quoted the actress as telling Woman’s Wear Daily.

“They remade all of my shoes so I can wear Dior shoes without taking lives,” she added.