Happy Halloween Countdown!
To state the obvious — yes, there are vegan fashion brands that have made all things black their signature while keeping harm away from animals — a combination of design and ethos that is as captivating as it is, for many, still unexpected. Not for us though!
Here’s a selection of vegan fashion brands we adore for their dark arts aesthetics — rock, metal, or simply alternative — and their ongoing advocacy for animals.
You’re all welcome.
Anticarnist (UK)
Founded by Emily Moran Barwick in 2016, Anticarnist is a metal-style brand “by vegan artists for vegan activists” and makes T-shirts, hoodies, windbreakers, headwear, flags, and mugs — all screen-printed in the UK with non-toxic, cruelty-free ink. Ten per cent of profits go to a different animal sanctuary each year.
‘Vegan Cult’ Unisex Vegan Hoodie (certified cotton, recycled polyester), regular price: £49,00
Rock Rebel (USA)
Rock Rebel is less a brand and more an artistic project with an impressive commercial presence. Established in 2002 by John Olander — later dubbed “the belt buckle king” — it crafts alternative jewellery, belt buckles, clothing, and accessories. By licensing with major film studios, Rock Rebel incorporates iconic characters like Frankenstein, Dracula, and even figures from Star Wars into its designs. Rock Rebel is a positively peculiar spot on the Californian fashion map — vegan and artistic alike.
‘Bride of Frankeinstein‘ Heart Backpack (PU), regular price $75.00
Spirit Hoods (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. SpiritHoods donates 10% of net profits to animal support organisations.
Classic Men’s Faux Fur Coat, Grey Wolf, (acrylic plush), regular price: $429.00
Drop Dead (UK)
Founded in 2004 by Oli Sykes (Bring Me the Horizon), Drop Dead has since become a signature brand for all things high goth and alternative, appealing to fans of punk, metal, and underground culture. For those based in or visiting South Yorkshire, the flagship and headquarters — The Mortuary — is an experience in a category of its own.
Penthouse Cardigan (acrylic and polyester), regular price: £120.00
Nine Lives Motowear (USA)
Los Angeles’ own Bridget Dillion’s Nine Lives Motorwear is an irresistible fusion of passion and perseverance. The brand’s name refers to cats’ nine lives and their uncanny ability to land on their feet — a fitting metaphor for resilience, given the current times. Each purchase helps the brand to produce the next small run of it’s iconic Juliet Jacket made of 36 individual pieces across four different types of fabric (denim, Kevlar, mesh, and TENCEL™ Lyocell Twill).
‘Enjoy the ride‘ black short sleeve, regular price from $20.00
Basti Basti (Germany)
When we said “dark arts”, we literally meant illustration art. Along with apparel and accessories, Basti Basti also offers artworks and prints where creatures and scenes from the scariest nightmares come alive. And yes, the slogan on this T-shirt reads: “Only Dead Brains Eat Dead Bodies.”
‘Dead Brands 2‘ T-shirt (organic cotton), regular price €34,90
RockStorr (UK)
Rockstorr creates T-shirts in rock, goth, metal, and punk aesthetics. The brand partners with Teemill to produce apparel in a renewable-energy-powered factory, printing each item on demand to eliminate overproduction and waste. All packaging is plastic-free, and Rockstorr embraces a circular fashion model, allowing customers to return old T-shirts to be recycled into new fabric.
‘Mombie Zombie with Kids‘ T-shirt (certified organic cotton), regular price £20,00
Rogue + Wolf (UK)
Rogue + Wolf designs clothing, accessories, and homeware inspired by gothic and divination aesthetics. Each item is made to order, swapping traditional six-month production cycles for fortnightly creative bursts. Their philosophy of cruelty-free craftsmanship and eco-consciousness makes them a standout — or should we say, wicked — presence in the vegan fashion world.
Moonlit Botanica High Tops, regular price £85,00
Sarah Regensburger (UK)
There would be no complete list of alternative art and fashion without Sarah Regensburger, who, since 2019, has been promoting vegan and cruelty-free fashion with her strong alternative aesthetic. Yes, this top is made of an actual leaf from the Amazon rainforest.
Be-Leaf in you, Top Black (leaf, recycled microfibre), regular price £169,00
KOI Footwear (UK)
Founded in Manchester, KOI Footwear is an independent British brand offering a wide range of shoes, bags, and accessories, available at major retailers such as Zalando and ASOS. If the look of these platform boots rings a bell, it’s because they are part of an exclusive collaboration with Monster High.
Ghoulia Yelps Gore-geous Platform boots, regular price £100,00
Pimpinicchio New York (USA)
Last but definitely not least, Marco Pimpinicchio’s marvel of a bag brand — and the bright [actually, black] star of this September’s NYFW — PMPNY is a vegan statement in itself: evocative design, innovative materials with reduced environmental impact, a commitment to LGBTQ+ causes, and small, limited collections. For every purchase, PMPNY plants a tree through its partnership with One Tree Planted.
30H Asymmetrical Chain Bag (pineapple leather), regular price: $220.00
Explore more vegan and sustainable fashion in our Directory.
