This article is kindly sponsored by VegFest UK
Vegan festivals: in the last few years, they have taken over the globe and we’re all completely head over heels for them. After all, there’s heaps of delicious food of every kind: cupcakes, hot dogs, burgers…and cheese! Vegan festivals around the world are doing their very best to dispel the myth that vegans only eat salad – every time an event rolls around, social media feeds everywhere fill up with delightful documentations of all the deliciousness on offer. But there’s another reason to love festivals such as VegFest, the UK’s biggest vegan event: the fashion.
Since VegFest London first came to Kensington Olympia five years ago, its fashion offering has become another reason to queue up for a ticket. Not only limited to t-shirts with slogan prints (although who doesn’t love those?), the selection of innovative and stylish vegan fashion available at VegFest now includes denim, shoes, bags and more – in fact, a day spent at the festival is a shopping opportunity as much as it is a food-fest. Here are some of the coolest brands whose stalls you have to stop by during your visit.
Moddanio – eco accessories crafted from cork
On a quest to find the perfect replacement for leather that doesn’t hurt the environment the way that some “pleathers” do? Your new best friend is cork, the renewable, recyclable, all-natural material that London-based ethical fashion brand Moddanio holds at the heart of their collections. Handcrafted in ethical factories around the Mediterranean area, the Moddanio accessory line ranges from handbags to wallets and purses, but the brand also offers hats and belts. Both men’s and women’s accessories are available.
ETHCS – Athleisurewear with values at heart
A range of sportswear-inspired clothing without a trace of animal ingredients, child labour or employee discrimination – sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Athlete Tim Schieff, known as one of the UK’s top freerunning athletes and a long-time vegan, has launched this men’s and women’s brand of t-shirts, tank tops, hoodies and accessories with prints such as “Vegan”, “V-Gang” and the brand name, “ETHCS” – no, you didn’t read that wrong. “There is no I in ETHCS” is the brand’s motto.
Viva La Vegan – compassionwear with attitude
“Clothed in compassion” is the tagline of this men’s and women’s brand founded by designer Jay Charlton, who worked as a fashion designer and graphic designer for years before founding the label. Tank tops, hoodies and tote bags with prints such as “Hardcore Herbivore” and “Vegan Tribe, Awakened Vibe” have made the brand a VegFest favourite – but you can also shop pins, hats and jewellery, as well as greeting cards with a cruelty-free message.
So when you head to VegFest this year, bring bigger bags – you will shop ’til you drop, and we’re not talking cupcakes.
VegFest London takes place at Kensington Olympia, London, on the weekend of 21st – 22nd October.
Don’t miss Vilda’s Founding Editor Sascha Camilli on the vegan fashion panel at the VegFest Trade Show on 20th October, and don’t forget to vote for Vilda as Best Vegan Magazine in the VegFest awards!
Photos from named brands
