In the very exciting process of scouring the web for fab faux fur designers for our The Fakeover campaign, we were lucky enough to stumble across Vriie – the answer to the woes of any cruelty-free fashionista who still (secretly?) loves the furry look. With the creations of sisters-in-law Cynthia Bercun and Paula Tomisaki, you can now add a stylish touch of fuzz to your winter look – with no animals harmed.
– For a long time, we were unable to find high quality faux fur pieces that were stylish and came at a reasonable price, says Cynthia. So we decided to create our own – we love the look and texture of fur and the luxurious way it makes you feel, but we don’t tolerate animal cruelty.
The Buenos Aires-born, New York-adopted designers shopped for fabrics in New York’s Fashion District and created their collection at night after their day jobs (Paula is a professor of architecture at Columbia University, while Cynthia is a lawyer with a fashion degree from the Parsons School of Design). – We had a blast – creating our own collection that we could be proud of was fun and rewarding.
The designers wore their pieces at work and to social events – including garments they’d spent the previous night creating – which solicited positive feedback and interest from friends and colleagues. – That’s when we realised our designs had the potential to reach beyond our own closets, says Cynthia.
The first collection has taken form in the past year, offering fashionable and functional pieces made with passion. Inspired by Argentinian horse polo riders’ half-chaps, the spats are perfect for pulling on top of any boot to give it that winter-cosy touch. The snood, one of our favourite cold-weather essentials, gives a hint of furry glamour while helping you stay warm. And last but not least, the fur vest provides a chic layer that gives an edge to a denim, faux leather or military jacket.
Proving that fur accessories can be both stylish and compassionate, Vriie offer a versatile alternative to the conscious fashionista that wants only a touch of fuzz. Support Paula and Cynthia’s campaign on Kickstarter now.
