Big shout to our friends at Three Leaves and props for putting together such an awesome collection for this spring and summer 2013.  I’m baffled by how long it took for us to find such a place.  While there are some options out there of ethical clothing for guys, we are usually limited to an organic cotton tee or jeans here and there (I’m sensing that it’s a different landscape in Europe, which is ahead of us).  Fortunately, that is changing, and our options are growing.  Take for instance what we have here, gear we would describe it as sophisticated casual: well fitted dark wash jeans, smart button downs, simple but well thought out tees and caps.  The best part, everything is either 1) environmentally friendly, 2) fair trade, or 3) vegan.  Sometimes all three.  And it’s saying something that there are even enough small brands out there that can make this possible.  Of course, fair trade/organic comes at a cost.  Even though the price tags on some of these items can be hefty, don’t forget you are buying the best sustainable materials and fair pay for workers.  Plus you are supporting some amazing businesses, who we here at VK would love to see succeed and make mainstream this ethical fashion movement.

Peep the Look Book here.  See Below for some of our favorites of the season.

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I’ve seen Superga shoes around, but only in store displays.  I haven’t really seen them on too many feet around town.  I’m not sure if they just don’t stand out to me, since they look very similar to Keds, Jack Purcell or Vans Authentic.  Or, maybe the Italian brand (self described as the “People’s Shoes of Italy“) just hasn’t broken out state side.  I don’t see why they aren’t bigger, I could definitely see these as a staple in any person’s shoe collection.

Versatile, equally suitable for men or women, this Superga 2750 COTU classic is just that.  Like the Jack Purcell, it is a great casual canvas sneaker that can go with you anywhere.  Plus, they are offered in a bewildering assortment of colors.  You can mix and match with anything.  I count 18 colorways on Zappos, 24 (!) from the Superga site.

Oh right, I forgot to mention that all Superga canvas shoes are vegan, with synthetic glues and all.

Cop these at Zappos or Superga USA.

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I know what you’re thinking – “socks?  I’m vegan, I came here to get a scoop on shoes.  I don’t have a problem finding animal free products to put on my feet before the shoes!”  If you are thinking that, well you’re right.  You can spot a pair of wool socks a mile away.  I don’t have a really great answer to that other than hey, I’m a sucker for the little things.  And yes, socks are overlooked accessories, but the right (or wrong) pair can really make a difference.

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Vegan Kicks is proud to give a huuuuge shout out to the venerable Farm Sanctuary and this unique special event they are putting together.  If you are in the New York City area, you gotta go to  FASHION LOVES ANIMALS, a benefit fashion show and cocktail party, on May 4th at SIR Stage 37 in Manhattan. This stylish night benefiting Farm Sanctuary will honor Vaute Couture President and Creative Director Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart, who made history this year with the first all-vegan label to show at New York Fashion Week.

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Long overdue is a shout to our favorite European vegan shoe brand, Novacas.  New for spring 2013, these two styles are a pretty tight combo and are both great additions for the stylish vegan (or non-vegan, who wouldn’t want to cop these?).  The Owen, above, is a casual oxford but features a clean waxed canvas black upper paired with a brick red colored sole.  So versatile you could wear these all day and pair them with an entirely different outfit at night.  I really need to get me one of these.

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This season’s newest vegan/animal-friendly offering from Emerica for spring of 2013 is finally here.

The new shoe is called “The Tempster,” and is designed by legendary vegan skateboarder, Ed Templeton. Ed has always been a driving force in skateboarding – a true individual and artist. He is also the vegan skater’s skater. Never quitting and never selling out his vegan beliefs for a higher-paying/selling leather pro-model shoe. For this alone, we should always support him, his shoes, and Emerica for putting them out. Emerica is in my own personal opinion, the last real core skate shoe brand we have left.

I got to skate these new shoes a few short times on the streets and for a full 3-hour session at the park. Here are my personal thoughts as a long-time skater and vegan shoe wearer. . . .

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This is a first for Vegan Kicks – the shoe pictured above is part of a Kickstarter project called Project Piola (pronounced pee-yo-la).  So the shoe is actually not available for sale.  Unfortunately, this model, the Madre de Dios, is the only vegan one that they offer.  But even considering the leather used on the other shoes, there’s a lot to like in terms of environmental sustainability and fair trade policies.

Started after the founders worked for an NGO in Peru, they met some rubber tree farmers living in the rainforest.  They also observed the exploitation and destruction of this beautiful place.  So they decided to start a sustainable business using the natural resources.  They also incorporated organic cotton materials in these shoes.

Check out the video, visit their Kickstarter page.  Make a contribution if you want to support Project Piola.  If you donate $50, and they make their goal, you get a pair of Madre de Dios (available in 7 colors).  Of course, there are problems raised by their use of leather.  I’m not going to ignore that.  But compared to other leather reliant shoe companies out there, they have something much better going for them.

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This week we bring to you another great skateboard brand, one that we’ve yet to feature.   We just haven’t come across anything that is anything close to vegan.  Thanks to a tip from Tall Mike, we present the Lakai Indio.  This black canvas mid sports a synthetic leather heel patch and a vulcanized sole.  And we got confirmation from the company that the shoe is fully vegan.

Don’t forget!  There’s still time to enter our Emerica Tempster contest.  Email us now to win a free pair of vegan kicks designed by Ed Templeton.  We have received a lot of interest, but if you put your name in the hat, lets say your chances of winning are significantly higher than the Powerball.  For contest info, click here.

Lakai Indio available at Zappos.  More pics after the jump!

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Following up on our last post, the good people at Emerica are so gracious as to hook us up for Vegan Kicks’ second shoe contest!  Our blogging is erratic right now, but we’re trying to make every one count!  We are psyched to be giving away one pair of Emerica Tempster (green or black), featured above and below.  This is one out of a bunch of Emerica’s vegan shoes (see our previous post on their newest offerings), and we all thought it was appropriate that this be the one, considering Ed’s longstanding vegan lifestyle.  I know that these shoes won’t be for everyone, but I know all the skaters out there will be chomping at the bits to get a pair.  So, onto the contest!

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We’re back!  Sorry for the hiatus.  Wish we could bring you all the news, but what can we say, we’ve been slacking.  Keep checking back for updates and goodies.  You won’t be disappointed.  And if you can, please help!  If you see something interesting, or have something fresh to report, please post on our Facebook wall or Tweet at us.

Today we are happy to bring to you another string of vegan shoes brought to you buy our friends at Emerica as part of their new spring collection 2013.  Kudos to them as they are one of the few skateboard shoe companies actively touting their vegan credentials.

As you can see above and below, these are some old standbys.  The Hsu is back in canvas, though I’m not crazy about this olive/black colorway (how about the plain black?).  Ed Templeton is back with the Tempster in black/grey and green.  Controversial pick with the lime green, but I’m sure some of you will appreciate it.  Too bad there is no printed graphic outside on the black model, but you are treated to some artwork from Ed on inside panels.

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