For those of you with us for our very first season, you might remember the PREORDER Special, which made our first production run possible! If you were a part of it the first time, you know it meant the world to me. I mean for real, you didn’t know me! You hadn’t seen my coats in person! And yet, you so generously supported my little project and together we took it to the next step. I seriously thought about bottling up my tears of joy for you and including them in the boxes with your coats, and then I realized that’s kinda icky, no?

Anyway, it’s that time again! For those of you newbies unfamiliar, the Preorder Special is where-for ordering your coat early and being a little patient, we’ll give you a special EARLY SUPPORTER price! The earlier you preorder, the better the deal, because the more it helps us fund production… a win-win. And for those of you in NYC, you’ll get an even better deal if you come preorder at the Pop-up Shop because, hey, I like to see y’all’s beautiful faces, is that so wrong?

Expected to launch this WEDNESDAY 9/8 at 3pm EST at VauteCouture.com, the preorder special will start at 45% off for 1 week only, and move towards regular price every week until we’re ready to get them to ship!

::::Here’s the Preorder Schedule::::

September/8-15: 45% off

September/15-22: 35% off

September/22-29: 25% off

September/29-Oct. 6: 15% off

October/6-13: 10% off

\\\\\\\OTHER IMPORTANT PREORDER INFO////////

1. Updating your order: you can change your order (size, color, style) up to 7 days before expected ship date based on availability, after that we can do it too no worries! Just might delay delivery of yours a wee bit (like a week). Keep in mind the closer we get to shipping them, the more info we’ll have on them (like more pics….detailed pics of the back, side, of each color, and a men’s size chart!) so you can preorder now to get the preorder price, and adjust your order later, it’s no problem at all! If you update your order, you’ll keep the preorder price, but if you cancel and reorder, it’s at the price it’s at at that time.

2. Payment: You can pay by VISA or MASTERCARD on our website or use the PAYPAL EXPRESS button to use other major credit cards! Your card will be charged at time of preorder (it’s for funding production of course!)

3. Shipping: $25 for first coat, $10 for each additional coat, going to the same address. If you need to ship to two separate addresses, please do two separate purchases on our e-store so they get there safely.

4. Taxes: NY Residents (since we just moved!) will have sales tax added automatically. All other states will not have any sales tax, lucky ducks!

5. Exchanges/Returns: Of course I want you to capitol L LOVE your Vaute Couture coat! After getting yours, you’ll have a week to check it out and try it on and twirl/strut in front of the mirror. If you’re not in major LIKE, feel free to return or exchange for another style/color/size (which we’ll ship for free), or for a refund. No worries!

6. What’s so special about a Vaute Couture coat? Well, I spent 8 months of fabric research (and life savings and neverending 60-80 hour work weeks) while creating the opening line and so the fabrics are brand new technology recyclable and recycled fabrics, that are 100% vegan, and built for a real winter (they’re warmer than wool coats!), with heat retaining, wind proof, snow resistant fabrics, and all constructed locally. Your purchase supports my work to move the fashion industry forward with vegan eco fabrics, but also supports the cutting edge fabric mills I work with, local workers, and the nonprofits I support. The label has been featured on Oprah.com, in Marie Claire Magazine, In Style Germany, on Fox TV’s BONES, TeenVogue.com, and on the cover of VegNews Magazine since launching last Fall. We’ve been called 1 of the “Top 7 Emerging Green Designers of 2009″ (Ecouterre) and 1 of “40 Redefining Green” (Grist.org) and celebrity supporters include Alicia Silverstone, Emily Deschanel, BooBoo Stewart, Ally Sheedy, and Ginnifer Goodwin.

7. How do I take care of my Vaute Couture coat? Our dress coats are pill resistant, and machine washable! You can put them in the wash on cold (alone) then in the dryer on low. Keep a lint brush handy, and keep your VC coat covered in the closet. If need be, you can dry clean yours but specify “heat sensitive” because the fabrics are high technology which are not as efficient if cleaned with heat. Our urban snow coats can be dry cleaned or machine washed, easy peasy!

8. What’s new this season? Well, we took the Signature Vaute Couture dress coat and created 5 new styles! Also, from the requests all year from wonderful big-hearted stylish men, we’re launching Men’s dress coats too. I also spent time developing the first eco vegan insulated line, super sophisticated totally not-puffy, crazy warm Urban Snow Coats. Check them all out in our NYC Fashion Week Video by the Discerning Brute.

9. How do they fit? Women’s dress coats are built with room in them for extra winter layers when need be! If you are in a warmer climate or between sizes, best to order one size smaller than normal. Our men’s dress coats are the opposite- they are a classic European men’s fit, very fitted, and therefor run a bit on the small side.  Our urban snow coats run fitted and true to size. (Btw- if you’ve tried on a coat from our first collection, the new women’s dress coats are the same fit with a few adjustments- a slightly more fitted waist, and a slightly longer cuff.) Worried about getting the wrong size? Exchanges and returns are no problem, also men’s size chart coming soon! And you can adjust your preorder at any time. xoxo!

So to all you Early Supporters from last season and this season to be, hugs from the bottom of my heart! Please feel free to spread the love to friends, it makes the production of this little labor of love possible.

warmest,

RSVP to either the Cupcakes & Coats Party (Monday!) or to make your Tuesday appointment by emailing Sales@VauteCouture.com! Full details on making an appointment here. xoxo can’t wait to see you!

warmest,

You know when you have all these events you’ve wanted to throw and don’t get a chance to but then decide to do them all at once because you’re moving to NYC? Well that’s THIS party!  A. I’m moving to NYC! B. We’re raising funds for 2 of my friends’ very worthy causes! C. Preview my upcoming fall collection! D. Sample Sale! E. Vegan cocktail party with sweets & awesome company! (that should be A!) E. Action Booth & Karen Marie Eco Salon in the house! These two are worth a party alone!

MOST IMPORTANTLY, before I leave for NYC, I would love to see your beautiful faces!

Details below, tickets HERE, and facebook invite here for sharing, say you’ll come!

warmest,

Hi, I'm Leanne, I'm 27, and I'm not just here to make pretty clothes (though that certainly is fun!)

HINT it’s not because a. I’m elitist b. for my personal financial gain or even c. I set out to make a high end clothing line. It’s because d.-I’m just not okay with making compromises, of ethics, quality, or performance for the sake of cutting costs.  It’s just not why I’m here.

We know that clothes can be cheap cheap cheap when workers are paid outrageously low wages. But it swings both ways- when workers are paid more than a “fair” wage- a living wage, and production is local (higher cost of living) that makes the clothes more expensive too.  But that’s just the tip of it.

I’m not here to make pretty clothes (though it’s certainly fun!). But I didn’t spend a year and a half (and counting) on no income just to make something cute to wear.  I’m here to put respect for all into the business equation– an equation which typically consists of two factors 1. costs to cut and 2. profits to make. Similar to government subsidies on food creating falsely low prices, the snowballing cuts in ethics have created falsely low prices (and low quality fast fashion) that we (myself included) have grown used to (based on unfair wages and cutting corners).  My background is not in fashion or design. I started this little project to create clothing options that are vegan and conscientious and weren’t available on the market- basically to create conscientious clothes I couldn’t find. In each detail I wanted to do it right.

And it was when I realized that starting a business, which touches so many different entities, could be a way for me to create positive change within each of those relationships that I realized I’d found my mission, got super giddy (where you know your heart is happy) and decided that I had to do this. For me, the value is not in cutting as many costs as I can to create more profit, it’s in seeing every thread of the process as an opportunity to create positive change.  In my first season, I’ve been able to develop a line with most of the quality, ethics, performance and style that I thought was missing, the only thing not ideal is the accessibility.  But it is in the action of respect (for the earth, the animals, the workers, the fabrics!) that is the basis for these prices, and at once it requires a two-fold new understanding of fashion: that we can make a difference within each part of the supply chain and that an investment piece that you’ll wear every day for months (and again next winter) is worth more than dozens of fast throwaway cheap pieces. I’d love to make something that everyone could easily afford- seriously I would in a heartbeat!  But the lower the price, the more compromises are made- (and the less those who make your coats can afford… ) and that’s not what I’m here to do.  (I do- however- try my best with special discounts when I’ve found a win-win and it will help the project survive like my upcoming sample sales. or the current winter sale. please keep in touch!) I hope you understand- I’m just one 27 year old girl doing my best with what I have.

So why are conscientious clothes typically high end & more expensive? The main reasons are…

1. We’re being fair- Everyone’s getting paid their fair share. It’s hard to see how many people need to get paid to create your coat but your purchase supports several different entities and groups of people who are doing their part too to make a difference (like sustainable innovating fabric suppliers), or to just making a living… from the people who cut and sew your coat on a living wage in the US (which I’m sure you know- living wage is higher in Chicago and NYC, where ours and other indie labels often produce, than in other countries), to the emerging artists I work with. Think about this- if you’d expect it takes someone at least 3-4 hours to cut and sew a winter coat, how in the world could we sell it for $50 including covering the cost of fabrics and development if that worker wasn’t getting less than a few dollars an hour? Cheap often means someone hasn’t been paid their fair share or a less than ideal situation. Fair means more people are getting paid properly for their hard work. Supporting conscientious labels means directly supporting those workers.

2. No Compromises- Caring about the earth and the animals isn’t an “excess expense.“ This isn’t the same as being perfect. It’s impossible to get a checkmark on everything on my ideal list of what I want Vaute Couture to do. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try. Conscientious means everyone is considered (the people, the earth, the animals), which in typical business means lots of “unnecessary costs” that need to be cut to gain a “price advantage.” I don’t think like that because my goal is not a price advantage- my goal is to support these different entities  and be an advocate for animals in the industry.  How the earth is affected, how we can find alternatives to using and exploiting animals, how we can not only minimize harm but actually create positive change, these aren’t optional to me, these are the reason I’m here.

2. We are small independent labels, so we are doing this on a smaller scale and don’t have the benefit of doing thousands of one style, which for the big guys like North Face or American Eagle- spreads out the fixed costs of development (like pattern making, fabric research, sample making, fittings, etc.) to more pieces making it less expensive per piece the more they make. I hope we grow to gain this advantage, but it’ll be a while, and definitely can’t happen if we don’t survive earlier years.

3. We are using fabrics that are new and innovative to push the industry towards using more conscientious fabrics and methods. So not only are our own productions smaller, but because we are using new eco-conscious vegan fabrics who have smaller runs too! Even to the point that some have never been made before (our shell fabrics for FW09 were made just for us, for the first time this season- the first really warm vegan wool alternative fabric) and otherwise are being made on a very small scale, again, for reasons listed above (see #2), it’s not cheap. But the more we use these new conscientious fabrics, a. the more we can get closer to even more idealistic fabrics and b. the more these fabrics will be used and costs will come down.

4. With the whole movement in mind. My main focus is to create vegan fashion that doesn’t yet exist out there- in this case, my mission was warm (actually warm!) and chic women’s winter dress coats, something I’d wanted for ages. I wanted to create something for other animal lovers like me but also excite women who really just love fashion! Quality, style, and comfort that surpasses conventional coats is my aim… I think about wowing the girl who can have ANY coat she wants, and hopefully showing that considering others is not about sacrifices.

Lastly- Yes- the amount I’ve taken home from 1 year and 5 months of full time (60-80 hour weeks) work on starting and running and launching this label is $0. I have yet to pay myself anything, nor pay myself or my parents back for the start-up funds I put in for development. Obviously I can’t do this forever.  But for now, I’m fine with that…. I understand it’s part of building something I believe in & I couldn’t be happier.

Again, it means the world to me when you support my little label. Hope now you know a little more as to why and what it means to me. (and the “what” in that sentence is “the world.”)

warmest,

LOVE my Eternal Web Scarf (it's vegan, duh! and handmade in Peru!)... get yours at CowJonesIndustrials.com $48

Whitman loves it too <3 (or is sick of macbook shoots.)

Available at my girl Donna’s all vegan & super chic shop- Cow Jones Industrials for $48, HERE!

Also in Black and Gray. Super cute hats & gloves too!

warmest,

See THE Mrs. Degeners in person! Just try not to faint!

OMG Ellen. ELLEN! Who is not inspired by this world-brightening piece of pure joy! (I’m a fan, can you tell?) Well today is the LAST DAY to bid to win VIP tickets to see her! And the best part? It’s all for the animals… you can also big on other such loveliness like a super cool dinner date including Ginnifer Goodwin (who-cough-cough has the Blue Vaute coat, just saying!), meet the amazingly gorgeous Alicia Silverstone, and cool memorabilia like the Volturi Crest from New Moon- (don’t hate me, but can someone explain what that is?) and of course, a Vaute Couture Vaute coat. <3

Check it all out: Farm Sanctuary Charity Buzz Auction!

All of your bid goes to the amazing people and work for the animals at my favorite- the Farm Sanctuary!

happy bidding!

warmest,

Nothing prettier than a big ol’ question filled brain, that’s what I always say- mwa hahaha!

 Meet Elite Model Kelly Kohnen, Neurobiology Major first. On a beautiful autumn day at the Bird Sanctuary at Montrose Beach, we tested the hypothesis that wearing a vegan chic coat makes you smarter… the results are astounding, I think. You see for yourself.

Shot by Jon Cancelino, Vegan Shoes by Kailia Footwear, makeup by Danielle Detorre.

Directed & styled by yours truly.

Kelly says the state of the atomosphere with an Ivory Vaute on is just perfect.

Appeared to also create lightness of step (all net profits to the Farm Sanctuary)

And the Recycled Pea Coat had a great attraction to the elements of the earth.

Affected gravity? unfortunately findings are inconclusive.

The blue El coat may cause desire to visually inspect for abnormally long periods of time.

And no question here- aids in osmosis of literary facts. yellow increases commutable qualities.

The gray bomono is great camouflage for a ninja rabbit in waiting. (although unsure as to relevance of such finding.)

 

 

And lastly- sunlight rewarded a willingness to think now, pose later.

Director’s note  No direction was made to increase subject’s tendency towards thoughtful or super natural activity (meaning these captions were written post-shoot by a non-scientific director and not created or formed during  the shoot itself, so if photographic evidence is lacking for you and/or findings are poorly formed or written, please do not discount claim, merely consider getting one such vegan chic coat from Vaute Couture’s coat shop yourself, to test & repeat.)

Photographer Bio: Jon Cancelino is a Chicago based photographer who regularly shoots  fashion editorial for Chicagoland magazines for JWC Media. He has a  personal interest in creating work that carries a narrative to the spectator. You can see more of his work in his online portfolio at JonCancelino.com.

 

 

warmest,

All you need is love. Singer Neko Case adopted her ex-racing Greyhounds.

A bittersweet news alert- the Dairyland Racetrack closes in Kenosha Wisconsin, officially on December 31st of this year.

We all know racing greyhounds don’t get the love, care, or family that they deserve so moving forward this is a victory, but for right now, we have a massive task at hand as hundreds will need to find homes or foster homes before the end of the year. These sweet sweet dogs spend most of their lives in cages, so they’ll be grateful for a loving home and a warm bed!

PLEASE CONSIDER ADOPTING (click here)!

and SPREAD THE WORD!

To adopt, donate, or help with adoptions/transportations call the Greyhound Pets of America Wisconsin team at: (414) 299-9473 or visit www.GPAwisconsin.org

The Simpsons love their ex-racing greyhound… so does singer songwriter Neko Case (left)– maybe you’re next for a fast and furless friend?

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Or check it out here!

Fingers crossed! It’s Chicago Fashion Week’s first all eco fashion show, Vert Couture, at the GORGEOUS Yates Gallery downtown in the Chicago Cultural Center! The space alone is worth the visit. drool.

$25 for General Admission including a complimentary organic Veev drink & Balanced Kitchen vegan appetizer! And the show includes my line Vaute Couture, Frei Designs, Mountains of the Moon, Kailia Footwear, and more, as shown off on some lovely Ford Models.

WHEN: TOMORROW! Sunday October 25th 6pm cocktail reception, 7pm show

WHERE: Yates Gallery in the Chicago Cultural Center- 78 E Washington (& Michigan Ave.), 4th Floor

Tickets are not sold out yet, get yours and read more details here! Would love to see you!

warmest,