Giveaway: Cri De Coeur’s Polly Bag!

In honor of Cri de Coeur, the New York based company that takes a serious stance on being CRUELTY-FREE and STYLISH, we are giving away one of their Polly bags in Ash!  Not only is this versatile hobo entirely animal product free but it is made locally in NYC from eco-friendly PU and recycled ultrasuede, as well as lined with 100% organic cotton.  Perfect for commuting, a weekend stroll, a shopping spree or even a casual night out, THIS HOBO RETAILS AT $430 and is big enough to fit everything you might need.   Don’t miss out on your chance to win this awesome bag – details on how to enter the drawing are below.

Some Interesting Tidbits about Cri de Coeur:

Based right out of Manhattan are the vegan fashion pioneers and owners, Gina Ferraraccio and Julie Dicterow!  Graduates of Parsons New School of Design, they have a unique eye for style which is obvious in their fashion-forward, top-quality shoes and bags.  The brand was founded in 2007  in the hopes of providing shoes that were not only fashionable, but cruelty-free as well and they continue to strive to produce high quality stylish ethical products from start to finish.   Their more affordable line, called Hearts of Darkness, launched in Spring 2010 and they’ve even now partnered up with a NY jewelry line Ether/Ore and feature some of these unique designs on their online store as well.

An Interview with Gina and Julie

I was lucky enough to get the opportunity to meet up recently with Gina and Julie in their Manhattan office/studio to find out what keeps them inspired and get their thoughts on the “ethical” world of fashion.  Thank you Julie and Gina for getting right to the “coeur” of the matter and providing us with a much needed way to look chic while remaining animal friendly!

Why did you first start Cri de Coeur and what was the goal of your brand?

The concept behind Cri de Coeur emerged because, as shoe-loving vegetarians, we felt bad supporting such a leather-based industry, but there were virtually no vegan shoe options that were actually fashionable then.  When it finally came time to launch, the main goal was filling the niche for forward-thinking contemporary vegan footwear.

The footwear industry is one of the most toxic, environmentally.  Considering that raising livestock is the leading cause of global warming, and that the chemicals used in tanning ultimately end up in the ecosystem, our mission is to provide an eco-friendly alternative.

Cri de Coeur is a French expression that translates literally to “cry from the heart”.  In English it’s an expression used to describe something that you’re passionate about.  It symbolizes our heartfelt desire to change the face of the fashion footwear & accessory markets, by providing products that look great while being gentle on the environment and all creatures on the planet.  It’s a totally fresh take in such a traditionally toxic industry.

What do you foresee being the next trends in cruelty-free and eco fashion?

The eco “trend” is really prominent in the market lately.  We think that “fast fashion” is becoming a thing of the past, and people want to purchase investment pieces that will last, rather than throw away items that you find at traditional fast-fashion, low-price retailers.  Therefore, the future of the eco market will probably favor brands such as ours whose prices reflect the sustainable nature of production and design.  More people care about where their garments are made, how they are made, and what impact it has on the environment and its inhabitants.

What are your thoughts on the growth in the cruelty-free market?  Do you think it’s expanding?

Yes! There is more awareness than ever before about the vegan lifestyle, and consumers are looking to find high-end fashion that does not use leather and does not compromise on style.

What are the inspirations behind your designs?

Each collection is newly inspired – by personal experiences, photoshoots, girls with great personal style, films, art, nostalgia – it all depends what we’re feeling at the time.  For Fall 2011, Cri de Coeur’s signature architectural inspired theme is realized this season with luxurious faux leather and suede atop blonde wood wedges and heels.  Velvet and a hint of lace create a romantic juxtaposition, with a slightly 1920’s art deco feel.  For our diffusion line, Hearts of Darkness, we were inspired by the girl of the 90’s.  This grunge inspired collection utilizes deep colors, studs, zips and laces to convey an outdoorsy vibe.  Wood tones, faux fur and cozy ribbed knit trims keep out the chill, while spiky heels and flattering silhouettes maintain a feminine sensuality.

The terms “eco” and “ethical” are thrown around a lot these days. What do these terms mean to Cri de Coeur and Hearts of Darkness?

The eco & sustainable aspect of Cri de Coeur is a natural extension of being cruelty-free.  Taking on that level of ethical responsibility demands that the products are ethical all around – whether it’s their impact on animals, people or the planet.  We think that what we wear says so much about who we are, and it is so important to wear your heart on your sleeve, so to speak, by making choices in fashion that compliment our ideals on the inside.

Our choices, from sourcing to production are all dependent on these ideals.  For example, all products are made by hand in socially responsible factories that pay fair wages, and materials are the highest quality.  Not only do they look and feel good, they’ll endure through many years of wear.

HOW TO ENTER THE DRAWING FOR THE POLLY BAG GIVEAWAY:

1.  Like both Chic Vegan and Compassion Forward on Facebook

2.  Post up a comment on the Compassion Forward Facebook wall so I know that you wish to enter the drawing

3.  For an extra entry, follow Chic Vegan on Twitter.  Tweet “Enter to win Cri de Coeur’s Polly Bag from Chic Vegan and Compassion Forward!”

4.  The more you share, the more likely you will be the winner – Thanks for participating!!

The winner will be picked June 15th! Good Luck!

—-

A native New Yorker, Tracey presently works in Manhattan in commercial real estate finance and lives on Long Island. She made the decision to give up eating, wearing and buying all animal products in January of 2008. Though her work schedule is pretty demanding, she strives to maintain a fashion-forward appearance while not compromising her beliefs and strong values about remaining cruelty-free. She is passionate about discovering and spreading the word about new businesses, companies, restaurants, etc. in the New York area that cater to her set of values. Currently, she is the admin of her own recently-started blog on cruelty-free and eco-friendly fashion at compassionforward.com. In her spare time, she also enjoys snowboarding, mountain-biking, reading, music, running and spending time with her husband and two cats. Stay tuned for her e-boutique, set to launch in August 2011, which will offer an array of hand-picked, stylish shoes, bags and other accessories that are produced without unnecessary harm to animals or the environment.