Melvin!!! and me at the California Farm Sanctuary :)

So the highlight of my very first (and very much highlight filled!) Cali tour was definitely visiting the California home of the Farm Sanctuary, and hanging with tiny and thoughtful Melvin. Melvin was bred for his long beautiful hair, and after enduring cruel factory farming conditions would’ve been slaughtered after only a few years of life, when he was of no use to the wool business. Apparently he is somewhat of an outcast (hard to believe if you met this little guy!)… and I could’ve spent hours just cuddling him and his bff Alicia (named after, who else?). The two of them keep each other company in the amazing and beautiful haven that is FARM SANCTUARY! Ah la la how I love this place! If you live in Cali or Upstate NY you owe it to yourself to plan a visit STAT. now. run! I mean it.

What this post needs is- MORE MELVINNNN!

Other fun packed into less than two weeks included… a visit with the amazing VegNews staff! Seeing staff writer Abigail Young & Miss Vegansaurus herself the amazing Laura B (who has a new VegNews column and will answer your deepest darkest questions about being Vegan!, email her at AskLaura@VegNews.com- fun!) create a musical on stage masterpiece of joy and love, not to mention glitter galore!, an awesome time with inspiring wonderful LA peeps! (thanks Nik!), Gracias Madres (empanadas!!), Cafe Gratitude (sushi bowl!), Cha-ya (udon!), Vegan Cupcakes, judging  the SF Veg Fest Model Castings (so many veg hotties in SF!), Millennium (Chocolate Midnight at the bar-hollerrrr) Native Foods (TWICE!- that (vegan) Fish Taco is TO DIE FOR!), a hike on the top of a SF National Park Mountain! (the views! the fresh!), an incredible and inspiring day at the HSUS Hollywood Offices (with a visit from the lovely Emily D!) and fun times with the bubbly adorable gals from Spork Foods.

the (vegan) Bacon Cheeseburger (Native Foods, LA!) & Avocado Fries (a dreammm....At Farwood, near the CA Farm Sanctuary)

LA Pop Up Shops at HSUS Hollywood (left with my hometown girl Catherine) & Spork Foods (right, with my new town girl Annette)!

Super glorious filled hike with the incredible Val & Nestor- the adorable face of Berkeley East Bay Humane Society!

Two of my California Gurls!! Polly Walters of Veggywood (LA), & Laura B of Vegansaurus (SF)

SF Pop Up Shop at the A.Muse Gallery with Ciara, left (AnimalFriendlyShopping.com) & the adorable Jo & Jenny! (right)

SUN. SMILES. and lots of LOVE to you Cali! I’ll be back for more, miss you already!

(Full album coming soon to Facebook.com/VauteCouture)

warmest,

1. These I Heart Vegan Girls/Boys buttons. Okay so maybe when I went vegan nearly 10 years ago there wasn’t exactly a market for vegan girls as a PREFERENCE and heck, when I went vegetarian at 10 most kids thought I was just weird for it (though hmmm, perhaps that had more to do with my self-cut bangs, handmade slogan tees…?) But that was a lonnnng time ago, as exhibited by existence of said fantastic button, and corresponding “I heart Vegan Boys” button.  Awesomeness with a plastic shell and safety pin back.

2. Quoting fashion reality tv. Okay, I’m not into reality tv of any other sort and I really I hate admitting that I watch this stuff even, but check out these gems of wisdom and tell me you aren’t inspired too? A little? Eh?

Anthony (Project Runway Season 7, episode 10, when Anthony is “kicked off”): “I think what life has taught us is, you don’t have to have the crown to be the queen.” Okay judge if you will but I seriously teared up when I heard this one, maybe it gets you too?   (I’ve just always been so awful at impressing judges and winning competitions… no boo hoo hoo here but hey, this Anthony just really gets me, right, here.)

Then last week. Kelly Cutrone of People’s Revolution (the City) tells Whitney, “Average people love to be average because no one bothers them.” Amen to that! A post along the same lines from my favorite author Seth Godin here.

And I’m pretty sure a couple months back I found the urge to quote ANTM’s special guest Lauren Hutton more often than I’d like to admit… (par memory not ver batim)… when asked by the contestants the secret to a successful modeling career, she said, “I was never the prettiest or the tallest, but the secret to success- in anything really- is to work four times harder than anyone else.”

3. Orange Fudge from Allison’s Gourmet. Fudge. Vegan Fudge. Vegan Fudge with real orange in it. Vegan fudge with real orange in it from the first vegan bakery on the face of this earth! (started 1989- believe it!) This stuff is deck-the-halls-a-dent. Perfect for sharing at parties, though they’ll probably ask you the recipe and you’ll have to admit you didn’t make it yourself. Oh well. At that point you should be on a chocolate endorphin kick so I think you can handle that.

4. Gorgeous famous vegans take over IN STYLE’s MAY ISSUE! Actresses Lea Michele (from GLEE!) and Ginnifer Goodwin (love her!) are two of three stories in IN STYLE Magazine’s article “Meals my mother taught me” (page 325) both with VEGAN MEALS! Yes! 2 out of 3 ain’t bad for a “normal” not vegan/health focused article, yeah? Ginnifer shares a vegan recipe of Gramma’s Bok Choy & Chickn (vegan) Salad and Lea sets it up for a regular & vegan version of her mom’s Vegetable Lasagna Rolls. On newsstands now, check it out!

5. Adorable animal loving postcards & art by my girl Laura at Le Canot Rouge! Not only does she illustrate the most adorable messengers of handwritten notes! but she also shows them the real love with hard core dedication to the environment, from her site: “Le Canot Rouge illustrations are printed on Mohawk Genesis ‘Forest Stewardship Certified’ premium papers, made from 100% post-consumer waste. The paper is also acid-free, lignin-free, process chlorine-free, and manufactured with ‘Green-e Certified’ windpower. And because it is also archival, your print will last and last and last and last.” Talk about walking the talk. Need a foot massage, Laura?

6. Peanut Butter Cups that are to DIE FOR! from Lagusta’s Luscious. Believe me, I’ve tried many a vegan chocolate (and non-vegan back in the day). like the song we used to sing in camp, These are the ones. These are the ones we’ve been waiting for… Classic peanut butter chocolate combo but with the most yummy luxurious ingredients and handcrafted gorgeousness. You’ve waited long enough, go try em!

7. (Anticipatory mention) The New “Green” Chicagoland Restaurant “Prasino” with amazing vegan brunch options! Okay so with there being only a couple of Veg/Vegan places in the suburbs (mainly the one- Borrowed Earth raw restaurant, which I adore! near Tivoli Theater in Downers Grove), I am sooo thrilled to have a new place to try with my rents & Nate out in La Grange called Prasino. Their vegan dinner and lunch options are nearly none, but their brunch menu makes me giddy with several including a Tofu Scram with (veg) Sausage, Garden Skillet (tofu scram instead of eggs), Vegan Eggs Benedict, Autumn Vegan Pecan Pancakes, and Vegan Orange Almond Stuffed French Toast. Phew! Now those are OPTIONS. Stay tuned for a review! And if you try it first-  let me know or I may just have to steal your leftovers!

8. Gorgeous LAUREN KROHN Photography.  Have you heard of this vegan bed and breakfast on the beach with native tiny deer? Well, it sounds like heaven to me, and I discovered it through the takes you there photography of Lauren Krohn. Check out her work here- she donates often to sanctuaries and her love for animals is visually inspiring! Facebook page here with her animals gallery!

9. Tees that tell it like it is. My super talented friends at Sparrow have been working on some adorable Love themed Vegan tees (as Vegan= Love, does it not?) with profits going to my favorite place on Earth, the Farm Sanctuary. Check them out here and others available for the respect/love of all.

10. Old friends in fun places! Took this pic last night of me + my former boss from 9 years ago when we both worked at Express for Men on Michigan Avenue- dancing our way through sweaters and tees and revamping wardrobes. He taught me so much and what’s more is we always had SO much fun!  I had heard his fashion line was poppin’ and last night at the StyleChicago 25 Best Chicago Designers Event I knew I’d run into him. What a treat! This man is and has always been pure joy and a half- heart you, Borris!

okay, I love a lot more things than 10 this month (like this lip gloss!), but this’ll have to do for now! Have a fantastic weekend.

warmest,

We adopted Whitman 1 year ago today. Lucky us.

It’s so simple.

If you’ve been thinking of bringing a new friend into your life- ADOPT!

VOILA! You are now part of the solution to this national epidemic that is 100% preventable. Here’s the fact- 3-5 million healthy beautiful dogs and cats are put to sleep EVERY SINGLE YEAR in the US alone just because we A. don’t spay and neuter our pets and B. still buy from breeders & pet stores, when there are SO MANY dogs and cats who are literally dying for a new home! It seems like such a small thing- but if choosing a friend you’ll have for 10+ years, it’s not much to spend a little time finding one to rescue who really needs you, instead of supporting someone making money off of breeding more into an overpopulation.

Plus, with sites like Petfinder.org listing thousands of dogs and cats who need homes right NOW, there’s no excuse not to adopt if you know. NONE. Yes, I’m putting that on you-  now here are my tips.

TWO WAYS to find your new best friend:

1. Scour shelters in person! Most shelters are unfortunately underfunded & understaffed, this means that there are often dozens more at their shelter that need a home than they are able to put pictures and bios up of on their website. SO stop in during visiting hours and say hey there in person… visit a few shelters and take some time with the lovebugs that you think might have a future place in your casa. Keep in mind that they are probably scared, stressed, and upset at what’s going on and living in a shelter not sure what will happen next… & even if you’re just spending a few minutes with them, give them a good loving visit to tide them over until their next.

2. So you think you know exactly what size/breed/age/gender friend you want? Well, first I’m going to give you my adoption two cents from working at a shelter 3x a week helping dozens of families find their new friends… this list you have? It’s like the “perfect husband” list. Every girl thinks they want “tall dark and handsome”, but what if you fall for a “short- blonde- and hilarious” instead? Sounds like a better deal to me. In the end, it’s about your connection with that specific pup/kitty/, and there are also tons of other breeds/mixes that will meet your real list- which is probably more about your lifestyle (jock? couch potato? social butterfly?) than about a specific breed or size.

Okay, now that I’ve given you my two cents… I want you, Miss or Mister Particular, to know 2 things.

1. YES SHELTERS HAVE PUREBREDS. 25% of shelter dogs & cats are purebred, and there are breed rescues for specific breeds in every state. (Though mutts are my favorite! So unique and often with less genetic issues.)

2. YES SHELTERS HAVE PUPPIES & KITTENS. Yes, people who don’t plan for it and never spay/neuter have animals who, surprise! Have babies. These babies need homes. You can adopt one. (though I prefer adult dogs, which is what your pup will be in 6 months or so, and then you’ll know their personality, size, & temperament.)

HOW TO SEARCH for a Specific Breed/etc:

1. Find your nearest breed rescue and ask them who’s looking for a home right now. Google the breed, state, and the word “rescue”, for example: “greyhound rescue IL” check out their site & say what’s up.

2. Search on Petfinder by age, size, breed, sex, and type of animal. For example if you’re searching for something very specific and in demand like- Golden Retriever puppies & you live in Orland Park, IL, you’d see this.

3. Keep an open mind. Again- you probably don’t need a specific breed/age/size but more of a good match for your lifestyle. Let yourself fall in love with a homeless dog or cat who really needs you, and realize that you probably need him/her too… ah, symbiosis. I love it.

POST-ADOPTION TIP.

Sign up for training & HIT THAT LIBRARY UP!!  Please don’t get me wrong & think of rescued animals as necessarily in need of training any more than new puppies  would be (reasons for give-ups I’ve heard range from “didn’t match the furniture” to “grew up to be larger than we expected.” these have nothing to do with behavior, and puppies ALWAYS need training too.) Of course, there are some whose people didn’t train them as babies properly, or were abused, and therefore need special care, attention, and treatment… something you might be especially or especially not suited for (know your limits.)  Bottom line- bringing a new companion into your family means establishing a strong relationship with discipline & communication. (And psst! The Dog Whisperer episodes make great cliffs notes.)

Too easy to save a life, right? Now that you know, don’t go breaking my heart… please! For the love of dog, ADOPT.

warmest,

Like that Mandy Moore flick that I never saw- SAVED! This little blue eyed boy- born in a transport truck with his mother on the way to slaughter, now named Angelo, was rescued when a woman saw him at the market, where the truck was parked, and asked if she could take him…   With his mother on the way to slaughter just minutes after giving birth- crowded in a transport truck with other sheep going the same fate, Angelo lucked out- and was on his way to the Farm Sanctuary, to live a full peaceful life under the stars and in the grass.

Big Sigh… thinking about those other sheep… Most people don’t realize that almost all sheep raised for their wool end their lives in slaughter, when they don’t produce to standard anymore. 

I’m so happy for Angelo. More amazing rescue stories at the Farm Sanctuary here! They’ll make your day.

Three cheers for Farm Sanctuary!! 

warmest,

Vegan Oreo Ice Cream from the Chocolate Shoppe on State (+ American Apparel deadstock sunglasses)

a scout it out- a scout it out- a scout it out—- that’s what I did last weekend on my way up and back to a little lakeside house for some much needed R&R.  The talent? Madison, Wisconsin.  Fabulous capital and home to my daddy’s alma matar.  Now as gorgeous and lovely as the state street shops, live music, and adorable locals are-I’d be lying if I didn’t say I was SHOCKED at the lack of veg options in such an awesome city (business opportunity alert!!!), know for their world peace protests.  But hey, maybe I was spoilt by Milwaukee and all the conscientious foodie love I found in the most unlikely places! That said- if you like dessert- I’ve got two places you’ll love in this Wisconsin Capitol. Oh and 4 others you might want to check out too. if you have a mouth, that is.

1. The elusive Dandelion Food Cart- I heard and heard about this fabulous all veg food cart near the Capitol, one review said it was on the 100 block of State Street, another said on MLK Drive, another said 500 block on campus- it was a race against time as we arrived with just 45 minutes before they closed at 2pm! And alas, did this search have a happy ending? Well, not in the classic way…  Location- I believe on State Street somewhere between campus and the block after the capitol, open weekdays?  I’ve also heard just Tues-Thurs-11am-2pm, I think… now don’t quote me on any of that, I couldn’t find it myself!

2.  …But in the SUPER YUMMY HOMEMADE VEGAN OREO ICE CREAM IN A VEGAN WAFFLE CONE way, YES! We heard that the Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Parlor also made their own dairy free scoops and cones.  Mmmm so good (and reasonably priced!) that we went back another time. Double scoop cone for under $5. Chocolate Shoppe 468 State Street

3. Himal Chuli: Himal Chuli, Himal Chuli, Himal Chuli. This is what i heard when I asked for advice on where to eat vegan in Madison (even from the random vegan guy on the street who lives on his own 800 acres in Iowa! That’s where he was heading as I was looking for that darn Dandelion!) So, yes, we went to Himal Chuli, a Nepalese itty bitty of a restaurant with more than half a vegetarian menu full of seitan tofu and vegetable dishes. It’s a little pricey here for not huge portions, but the veg owners and interesting and delicious compassionate food make it a definite stop if you’re in Madison. Himal Chuli 318 State Street

4.  Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier- oh my goodness, what more do I love than amazing dark chocolate in pretty adorable shapes?! Enter Gail Ambrosius Chocolate- while not entirely vegan, they’re specialty is dark chocolate, which means all of their solid chocolates, with nuts, fruits, and in adorable so cute designs and affordable prices, are all just waiting, WAITING, to be eaten by a lovely big hearted vegan girl! I could barely keep myself from ordering it all! Their sorbets are also vegan? (but their smores and truffles are off limits.) Like heaven. Pretty artistic delicious heaven. Gail Ambrosius Chocolates- 2086 Atwood, Madison

5. Monty’s Blue Plate Diner: Hmmm. so I had heard there was a Diner where half the menu was veg- vegetarian that is, not as many vegan options as I expected but hey- I’m just glad it’s here! Vegan Cherry Pie, French Toast, and their Veg Reuben is called the Sheldon- cute.  (Right across the street from Gail’s Chocolate) 2089 Atwood Avenue, Madison

5.5 Bad Dog Frida: Well, it isn’t for you to eat at- but your dog will thank you! Super sweet and definite animal lover owner has adopted several dogs and stocks her boutique with fabulous things like: Intellectual Games & Puzzles from Sweden!?!  Man, Whitman would love these! On his xmas list. Also lots of yummy treats I’d never seen before like peanut butter molasses treats, and blueberry ones too! Online shop too. Bad Dog Frida 2094 Atwood Avenue, Madison (right by Gail’s and Monty’s for a triple shop stop)

And a Great Guide to Veg*n Food in Madison: http://www.vegmadison.com/restaurants.html

warmest,

the apple of my eye- whitman- our little rescue from the pound, and I don’t know what I’d do without!

warmest,

Nicole is one of my favorite people- we met riding around on scooters (the wooden wheeled kindergarten gym class kind, when we were 20!), playing with parachutes, and falling on the ice at 8am on the way to class.  Everyone thought we’d known each other forever! She’s one of the strongest, most generous and modest people I know, an amazing mom with a giggle that’ll brighten anyone’s day. Also super athletic, artistic, animal loving fantastic 3rd grade teacher and incredible gluten free dairy free baker. Nicole has offered to help with some projects now and then at VC and of course, we’re glad to have her!

Here are some Q & A’s our summer intern, Caitlin, asked this sweetpea (my comments, as usual, are in italics and parantheses.- LM)

1.  What is the best part about being a mom?
I get this intense wave that comes over me when I look at Diego- especially while he is engrossed in an activity and doesn’t know that mom is watching- and think, “I love this little boy so dang much!”  I often want to scream it out loud .  It’s the oddest, yet most natural, urge I’ve ever had.  (I LOVE watching them together… like magic!)

2. How did you meet Leanne? I met Leanne in an education course at DePaul.  Along with three other girls, Leanne and I taught P.E. to kindergartners.  It was a total “Operation Giggle Fest.”  The kindergartners had fun, but we had a blast and somehow brought all of the qualities of a young girl sleepover to an 8:30 am college course.  Guards melted and bonding took place amidst lesson planning and pretending to be dinosaurs with the five-year-olds.  Super cute.  (wayyy too much fun for 8am- definitely my fav class!)

3. What do you love the most about her company, Vaute Couture? Vaute Couture makes me feel damn good.  It’s message about cruelty-free fashion is so in line with my core beliefs that even thinking about Vaute Couture gives me a sense of calm and peace. (aw, thanks Nicole!)

4.What do you like to do when you’re not working? (ahem, everything! Nicole is like Super Woman…exhibit A-Z… here we go!) Cuddle with my son, watch Juneau swim in the kiddie pool at the dog park, challenge others to taco eating contests, experiment with dairy and gluten-free recipes, run my tail off, take art classes, dance hip-hop, daydream incessantly, sip hot coffee, gulp cold coffee, read in the bathtub, chit-chat with my girlfriends, listen to my parents’ childhood stories at family parties, and weight lift.
5. How did Juneau come into your life? (PS- he is ADORABLE.) Juneau’s mom was rescued, thank goodness, from a junkyard right after delivering nine pups. Eight of the pups survived and all found good homes. My little guy stuck out the most though. He was the only one, out of a litter of German Shepherd colored pups, with a pure white coat and a pink nose. Probably because he was the oddball of the group, I immediately fell in love with him and applied for adoption. About a month later, his foster mom drove to my house, handed over a jiggly white ball covered in matted fur, and asked to borrow a hose to rinse off her backseat car mats. Juneau still gets carsick every time he rides in a car.

6. What is your favorite dairy and gluten-free recipe?
I Need a Sweettooth Fix Right Now recipe:
1. Put 2 spoonfuls of crunchy almond butter into a coffee mug
2. Mix in 1 spoonful of Suzanne’s Ricemellow Creme
2. Sprinkle in a healthy portion of Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips
3. Add a pinch of raisins (optional, but highly recommended)
4. Stir once more
5. Savor and swoon

(mmm thanks for that, nicole! can’t wait to try!)

If you have any questions for Nicole, please leave them here! You can also look for her at our Pivot Event September 14th, 6-8pm, at the Pivot Boutique in the Fulton Market. More details to come!

warmest,

Meet Liz.  She’s the first *official* member of the Vaute Couture team, and handles all the shipping and processing of your lovely tee orders! For not just one reason alone can we think of why we chose her, adore her, and can’t get enough of her. She’s musical (has been playing violin for TWO DECADES), loves to travel, has a killer singing voice, is an amazing mom, and is the kind of girl impossible to hate. She’s giving, thoughtful, and yet quite honest… quite VERY honest. It’s not the bull sweetness that makes you watch your back, it’s the real good stuff sweet that makes you think- wow, she’s fabulous. And without further adieu, I give you, Liz Atkins!

1. LM: You lived in Scotland for a year. What is your favorite Scottish phrase that you miss using? And do you still use it?

LA: There are a lot, but my favorite is “I’m not being funny”, which loosely translates into “I am being totally serious”, and yes, I use it all the time. (Yes, she uses it all the time).

2. LM: Lucy is absolutely adorable, a real love, I say! What actress would do Lucy (your doxie)’s voice in an animated film starring a character based on Lucy? 

LA: Amy Adams. Lucy is a very sweet, timid dog, and has (I imagine) a very tiny, but peppy voice–just like Amy’s. (I couldn’t agree more!)

3. LM: I have YOU to thank for my Ellen addiction! She’s a vegan superstar! Do you have any idea how she gets those bad lip synchers to sing “Since You’ve Been Gone” all they way through when they don’t know the words?

LA: I don’t know, but they remind me of myself when I sing. I rarely ever know all of the lyrics in a song–I just make up my own.  (Yes, except you have a fabulous voice to back it up! These, well…)  
4. LM: For real though- why do you like Ellen so much?

LA: (cue the violins and slow zoom…) I would love to say that the main reason that I like Ellen so much is because she is an overcomer; because even after all she has endured throughout her life, she has come out on top, and she is an inspiration to me.  (long dramatic pause…) And while all of that is true, the main reason I like her so much is simple. She makes me laugh. A lot.

(wouldn’t you like to know where #5 went? We’re not telling…)

6. LM:You’re the first official Vaute Couture team member. How does it feel?

LA: I feel very lucky to be part of a company that is more concerned about what good it is putting into the world, rather than the good that it is taking out. I have been a fan of Vaute Couture since the very beginning, and it is an honor to be a part of something so special. (Awww, thanks Liz! heart you too!)

warmest,

P.S. If you have any questions for Liz, leave them here!

An ode to our favorite yellow haired saxaphonist with the big laugh. Available in Girls too!

for animal lovers by definition.

HOT OFF THE SUSTAINABLE SCREEN PRINT PRESSES!

100% Certified Organic Cotton
Fair trade constructed tee
Dyed with low impact fabric dyes.
Sustainably printed with water based inks.
Fitted boyish cut tee shirt pre-washed for softness.

$26 + CURRENTLY WITH FREE US SHIPPING!

First Orders will ship out by Friday

I do win friends with salad (for Guys-shown, for Girls, click here) Join the cool crowd of animal lovers & salad eaters.  Could it be the fresh crisp greens? Creamy and oh so generous avacado? The almonds, cherries, and croutons of goodness? Or maybe the lovely glow you get and your light tred on the earth, as an environmentally efficient source of body fuel (fyi- animal agriculture is the #1 source of greenhouse gases, more than all modes of transportation combined- United Nations 2006 Report)  Or maybe it’s purely statistical- our on average longer lifespan leads to more chances for friendships… “Cartoons don’t have messages, Lisa.”  (Lisa, the Vegetarian)

I heart all things with, um, a heart: What do I love? Let me count…. carefree puppies, artistic and loving elephants, resourceful ant-eaters, community-focused ants, syntax-understanding dolphins, loyal pigs… man, I could go on forever. But there’s one thing I know- if there’s a heart, love list it is. Maybe it’s your list, too.

Hope you like!

warmest,

::Photo by Rachel Renee:: Vaute Couture Statement Tee Collection (released throughout the Summer)

::Photo by Rachel Renee:: Racerback bird dress of remnant fabrics in collaboration with Julianna Luther, handpainted by Cecca Morrone, with Mohop Shoes, worn by Lauren Lasher

::Photo by Rachel Renee:: 100% Organic Cotton Sustainably Printed in the USA Vaute Couture Statement Tee. Styling by Leanne Hilgart & DezMon Fair. Worn by Lauren McKiddy

::Photo by Rachel Renee:: Winged Romper of Remnant Fabrics, in collaboration with Julianna Luther, handpainted by Cecca Morrone, worn with Mohop Shoes, by Bianca Wyatt (Ford)

::Photo by Rachel Renee:: Bloom dress constructed of remnant fabrics, in collaboration with Jess Audey, handpainted by Cecca Morrone, worn by Kara King (Ford)

::Photo by Rachel Renee:: Winged Romper and Tailed Jacket in collaboration with Julianna Luther, Cream dress in collaboration with Jess Audey. All of remnant fabrics, handpainted by Cecca Morrone. Worn by Bianca Wyatt (Ford) and Katie V (Elite)

::Vaute Couture at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago on June 12th::

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This Vaute Couture-Couture Collection was inspired by Birds & Bloom and constructed of handpainted leftover fabrics from our 8 month fabric R&D and included hemp cotton herringbone, organic cotton sateen, organic cotton sheeting, and others.  Couture Team: Julianna Luther, Jess Audey, Cecca Morrone

Awards. Weddings. Galas. Protests. Made to order handpainted vegan + eco couture pieces are available now for fall events. Email us at Custom@VauteCouture.com. with event at least 6+ weeks before.  Dresses and jackets start at $600, depends on fabric and labor. By availability.

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::PHOTOGRAPHY by Rachel Renee Bowman::Rachel is an overseas editorial addict and fashion and beauty photography in Chicago. Check out more of her work in her online portfolio HERE or click on a picture above. Why? Because she rocks.

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Love those pretty silver laced sandals on Bianca? So do we. Mohop Shoes are a vegan, eco-conscious Chicago collection of versatile sandals you can wear a million ways, designed by Annie, a former architect. Rice husk soles. So many options.  Love x a hundred.

warmest,