ETHICALBELLA SHOES: Summer Sandals

Awesome options to go with your brightly colored toes!

• Givenchy by Riccardo Tisci (hmm… if you can find these babies! I have been looking everywhere. Please email me if you find a retail location. However you can find the amazing leather-looking rubber option at Barneys)
• Kartell & Moschino (made of 100% recyclable nontoxic thermoplastic technopolymer - I think I’ll get them in this light pink)
•  Isabela Capeto for Melissa (available at Gravitypope)                          

PS. I love toxic-free polish from Karma Organics and Priti. 

ETHICALBELLA SHOES: Big Buddha Ankle Boots

I tried this pair of Big Buddha’s on at Moo Shoes, but really fell for them only after I saw my friend Leanne of Vaute Couture try them on. They looked so cute and sexy on her - while also being a bit tough - that I wanted to look just like that too!           Leanne was also sold after seeing the boots on me. And funny enough, we both have worn this pair every time we have gotten together lately, completely unplanned. (One time we even showed up for dinner also in the exact same Vaute Couture jacket and black American Apparel leggings-and burst out laughing.) Luckily for us, we are both more than happy to share the limelight on our current most favorite boots. Here, I’m wearing the boots with a denim dress by IvanaHelsinki, which produces all their pieces in Finland.

PS. They are sold out at Moo Shoes, but you can still find them at Shoes.com.

ETHICALBELLA SHOES: Limited Edition Olsen Haus 

This pair, unfortunately, is so limited, there is only one! I was lucky enough to buy it straight from Elizabeth Olsen’s closet of sample shoes that never went to production because they were so complicated to put on (All those starps! But so worth it.). But these shoes go to prove just how much work and creativity go into to producing each collection of Olsen Haus we can find in stores… or on her online shop. I’m now eyeing the turquoise sandals and the grey, flat, open toe ankle boots, both in recycled faux suede.

ETHICALBELLA LIFESTYLE: Argentine Tango in Stella McCartney Heels & Belt

Every woman needs at least one perfect pair of black pumps and a black belt that adds that finishing touch to any outfit. They are absolute wardrobe basics. I found my favorite pair of faux-leather pumps from Stella McCartney last summer and love the Mary-Jane style (they stay firmly in place!). The wide fabric belt is also by Stella and I use it to dress up a basic dress or create a nice silhouette when wearing separates. 

I put them to the ultimate test at an Argentine Tango class I took with my friend Albert, taught by the amazing Alfredo Melendez at Stepping Out Studios. Check out my first dance here! I think I’m hooked!

PS. If you are lacking that perfect pair of pumps, check out these cruelty-free and eco-friendly options: Patent Pumps by Stella McCartney ($655), Hannah Open-Toe Pump by Cri De Coeur ($140), Realize Pump with Lavender Heel by Olsen Haus ($125), and Bull the Glittery Pump by Mink. For belts, besides Stella, I always opt for Matt & Nat.  

ETHICALBELLA FASHION: Study NY+Doucette Duvall+Cri De Coeur = Spring Magic

It’s finally warm(er) outside in New York, so I got excited to try out a spring/summer ensemble, even if just on my balcony!

The organic cotton striped tee is by the talented Tara St James whose Study NY line just took home the Ecco Domani Fashion Foundation award for Sustainable Design (you can see my interview with her here). The lavender pencil skirt was a find from GiltGroup; Doucette Duvall uses a minimum of 70% of already produced “rescued” materials and manufactures in New York so each piece is super special - this one has purple and black print lining. The blue velvet vegan pumps are my new love by Cri de Coeur, which you already probably saw here!

Photos by my talented friend George Maier. 

ETHICALBELLA SHOES: Beyond Skin Boots

I love the quote “Cinderella is living proof that a pair of shoes can change your life.” What if a pair of heels could change the lives of cows, goats, pigs, sheep, ostriches, kangaroos, and alligators and even some cats and dogs? Sadly, skin is the most economically important by-product of the meat industry. (You can read more here).

Hot heels that are not made of leather and use eco-friendly materials are not only an environmentally better option, but also a choice to change lives. With so many show-stopping styles out there, they could also get you the prince! Here’s my sister Viola’s latest purchase: Ricardo Knee High Boot Black in Faux Suade. Now on sale!

ETHICALBELLA FASHION: Vaute Couture winter coats

Spring is just around the corner, but as we just saw all the amazing FW 2011 collections, you might be thinking of what’s going to warm you up next autumn! Like 100% vegan, made in NYC, and made of recycled and recyclable fabrics kind of things. 

So here we go: introducing my gorgeous sister Viola, here in Vaute Couture Audrey in camel which she took for an outing last week in Helsinki, Finland (still so much snow)! I’m wearing the Vaute Couture Kinder in black, which I also had to have now. Both are available here. 

Viola paired the Audrey with Beyond Skin black boots and a Matt & Nat Lyon handbag in Nickel. I have a non-wool hat from Asos.com and Clary Sage Organics leggings. Stay tuned to the best of the eco fall collections before we’ll figure out what to order for spring!

ETHICALBELLA SHOES: Adidas by Stella McCartney

It seems like the winter in New York is never ending, so even if this post seems a bit post season (It’s the end of February!), it’s perfectly timely if you want to keep your toes warm:-) To do just that both in the city and in the country, I found this pair of ultra stylish, warm and comfortable vegan pair by Adidas by Stella McCartney.

PS. Stella is best for sporty vegan boots: most other brands have leather parts, so check with the manufacturer even if the description doesn’t call out leather.

PPS. My jacket is Kinder by Vaute Couture and my sweater and hat are no-wool options from Asos.  

ETHICALBELLA SHOES: Cri de Coeur 

When I became vegan and ditched my leather heels (yes, the Manolos too!), I got terribly worried about the state of my shoe closet (there was almost nothing there). I wanted to be ethical and have the shoe closet the size of Carrie Bradshaw’s in Sex and The City The Movie. And now, slowly but surely, I’m getting there! 

Check out these absolutely awesome flats for summer and thigh-highs for winter and pumps for whenever. All by Cri de Coeur and modeled by yours truly in the last week. 

PS. Kate Strappy Sandal is now $50,  Ariel Over the Knee Boot is $209 and Glamour Platform Pump is $77!