Happy Mardi Gras! What began as a medieval tradition—marking the last day to indulge in fats, sweets, and yes, red meat before Lent—has evolved into a full-blown celebration of all that makes carnival, well, carnival: pure, untamed fun.
The colours of Mardi Gras—purple, green, and gold—date back to the first Rex, King of Carnival parade in New Orleans in 1872. Since every worthy king—and, by extension, every kingdom—needs a flag, and most flags of that era featured three colours, the choices were made accordingly: purple for royalty, green as one of the five acceptable heraldic colours (alongside red, blue, purple, and black), and gold to meet the heraldic rule requiring both ‘metals’ and ‘colours’. Today, this vibrant trio is popularly associated with justice (purple), faith (green), gold = power (gold).
History aside, we’ve handpicked some of the most stunning vegan fashion pieces in these colours from brands we love. Wherever there’s music and laughter, we follow!
You’re all welcome.
Empress of Heels (Netherlands)
They say ‘king‘, we say ‘empress‘. Founded by Birgit Sas-Sundquest, Empress of Heels offers everything a woman needs to conquer the world: heels that are as classy as they are comfortable. The AI-powered ‘Find your size’ tool has already proven highly effective at solving the literally painful struggle of finding the perfect fit. And let’s just say we all know what happens next when you do find a perfect fit.
VFR’s pick: Golden Glamour heels, 95mm
Regular price: €175,00
Benedetti Life (Italy)
Benedetti Life, founded by Matea Benedetti and praised by leading Italian fashion figures like Suzy Menkes and Livia Firth, is a luxury vegan brand that draws inspiration from the patterns and features of endangered species. Its commitment to Italian craftsmanship is matched by its use of innovative, sustainable fabrics and dyeing methods that hold great promise for a better future.
VFR’s pick: Bamboo Jumpsuit
Regular price: €845,00
Cacto (Mexico)
Founded by Jesús Chávez, drawing on his expertise in sustainability and climate action, Cacto operates on principles that minimise environmental impact as much as possible—from sourcing local, low-energy, and toxin-free materials (cactus leather) to employing highly skilled local artisans.
VFR’s pick: Verde Frida Bag
Regular price: $14.000,00 MXN
SpiritHoods (USA)
Renowned for its signature faux-fur hoods and accessories, SpiritHoods has expanded its original collection to feature a variety of cool patterns and textures. Each piece pays tribute to the connection between humanity and the natural world, making SpiritHoods a go-to for those who dare to stand out, and have some real fun while doing so.
VFR’s pick: Midnight Wolf Men’s faux fur coat
Regular price: $249.70
Freerangers (UK)
Freerangers is a brand driven by a passion for everything that truly matters: animal welfare, handmade quality, refurbishment of one’s old items, community building, and a bold 19-shade colour palette. While primarily focused on shoes and sandals, they also offer bags and small accessories. Also, two words—vegan sporrans. Sadly, no purple.
VFR’s pick: Tarn Shoes
Regular price: £128,00
Giulia&Romeo (Germany)
We shouldn’t play favourites, but Giulia & Romeo just so happens to be our go-to brand for anything spectacular.Founded by Daniela Brunner, Giulia & Romeo bridges a notable gap in the fashion world between exciting, high-end statement pieces, and commitment to sustainability and vegan ethos. The brand’s love for animals knows no limit as it pledges to donate all profits to supporting the animal cause.
VFR’s pick: Bailey shirt
Regular price: €990,00
Anne Schollenberger (Germany)
Founded by Anne-Kirstin Schollenberger out of her love for bags, shoes, and especially hats, the brand uses cactus leather—one of the most sustainable leather alternatives, requiring minimal water in production—to create pieces that channel contemporary art through an uncanny ‘je ne sais quoi’ play of shapes and colours.
VFR’s pick: Veganer Sneaker No. 1
Regular price: €240,00
Ethik (India)
Ethik is one of those very few brands that is dedicated solely to crafting vegan men’s accessories. Items are designed in line with timeless and subtle aesthetics that evoke old-school luxury, and crafted with the use of high durable and abrasion-resistant leather alternatives.
VFR’s pick: Suave Monk
Regular price: ₹4.500,00
Niluu (USA)
Niluu reinvents every silk-based garment in vegan silk, using Bemberg™ yarn—an innovative Japanese material made from recycled cotton linter blended with viscose. The result? Rich, intense colours, striking patterns, and a luxurious feel that sits somewhere between decadence and comfort, a tribute to founder Nilufer Bracco’s Turkish roots.
VFR’s pick: Moss Charlotte Slip Dress
Regular price: $480,00
LaBante London (UK)
Founded by Vanita Badlani in 2009 out of her love for animals—or rather, a trauma of witnessing them being slaughtered alive for meat—LaBante London is as dedicated to animal welfare as it is to CO₂ reduction and plastic recycling. Their bags, crafted in India and Portugal, are produced under fair working conditions, with wages exceeding local industry standards.
VFR’s pick: Agness Green Backpack
Regular price: £149.97
House of Zhivago (Australia)
Founded by Lara Kovacevich, House of Zhivago has become one of Australia’s most celebrated exports, renowned for captivating icons such as Madonna, Gwen Stefani, Alicia Keys, and Lady Gaga. The brand’s sharp, futuristic aesthetics paradoxically evoke the timeless charm of old Hollywood, radiating unapologetic confidence and bold sophistication.
VFR’s pick: The Breaks Short
Regular price: $450,00 AUD
Rapanui (UK)
Rapanui‘s mission to ensure fair treatment for people, the planet, and animals is realised through a steadfast commitment to GOTS-certified organic cotton and the recycling of old synthetic clothing into new fibres for items where cotton cannot be used.
VFR’s pick: Better Outdoors Sweatshirt
Regular price: £45,00
Wawwa Clothing (UK)
Out of Manchester, once the heart of Britain’s textile industry and now experiencing an impressive revival, Wawwa Clothing sets out to achieve what is arguably an unfashionable business goal: to create vegan, sustainable products that are built to last—so people don’t have to replace them as often.
VFR’s pick: Mill Cotton Beanie in bottle green
Regular price: €43,95
Explore more vegan fashion in our Directory.
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