Real Vegan Style: Ciara Peter

About • Website/Blog • Facebook • Twitter Blog • Twitter

Vaute Couture “I heart all things with um... a heart” tee, $26 • Vaute Couture “Kinder” Coat, $365 • Second Eco 2100 Skinny Organic Jeans, $120 @ Ecolissa • OlsenHaus “Realize” heels, $280

Image Source & Credit: Ciara Peter

Who: Vegan fashion maven Ciara Peter. Veg since 1992 and Vegan since 2009.

Home Sweet Home: The SOMA area of San Francisco California.

Day Job: Concept designer and product strategist for a high-tech enterprise software company.

Night Job: Vegan fashion, beauty & lifestyle blog Animal-Friendly Shopping.

Fav Vegan Foods: Peanut butter, Thai pumpkin curry, Whole Foods tofu scramble, and vegan burritos.

Fav SF Resturants: The Plant Cafe, Osha Thai, DOSA, Greens, Patxi’s and Whole Food Fresh Food Bar.

Other Blog/Writing Gigs: Chic Vegan and also her personal blog Nerdy Martini.

Other Fun Gigs: Modeled in San Francisco’s first vegan fashion show and participated in a panel on Green blogging for the San Francisco Fashion And Merchants Alliance.

Fun Facts: She was a bartender for 7 years, her parents were both professional ballet dancers, and she was on an episode of MTV dating show “Dismissed.”

New Project: She is currently working on a new user-generated site called I Went Vegan where people can share their reasons for going vegan and how awesome the vegan lifestyle is. You can submit your own vegan story here.

Real Vegan Style: Larra Skye

I'm super excited to be starting off a new year of Real Vegan Style posts with the über talented vegan singer/songwriter Larra Skye. Larra, a fellow Canadian & Torontonian, has been vegetarian since the 9th grade and vegan since September of 2009. In 2005 Larra released her debut album The World Disappears to a full house at the Montreal Bistro in Toronto. She is now currently pre-selling her upcoming album The Wishing Tree which will be released in the Fall of 2011. With musical inspiration like Rosie Thomas, Dusty Springfield and Chet Baker her new album is bound to be fantastic. This Saturday (Feb 5th) you can catch Larra performing live over at Remarks Bar & Grill (1026 Coxwell Ave.) for The Brenda Carol Renaissance Jazz Fair (more info at the bottom of the post). Larra was also recently interview by the Toronto Vegetarian Society. You can check out her interview and performance of her new song "Pull Me" here. When Larra is not writing songs or performing live you can find her reading a book, enjoying Mexican Food, digging through the racks of local thrift shops, biking around town and watching old movies.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • Debut Album • New Album

Left Photo: Sweater: Zara • Tee: "Bacon had a Mom" Herbivore Clothing Co. (bought on tour in Portland, OR) • Skirt: Bean Sprout Unique Fashion for Children • Leggings: Lulu Lemon • Socks: H&M • Shoes: Keds, Stoneridge in Vancouver • Hair: Christina Calce at Salon Mod Inc. an eco-salon

Right Photo: Dress: Ula Zukowska

The Wishing Tree Promo Video
Featuring: "Grain of Sand"

Image Source & Credit: Left Photo - Larra Skye

Right Photo - Keidi Kasmollari

 *The Fifth Annual Brenda Carol Renaissance Jazz Fair will be taking place at the Remarks Bar & Grill, 1026 Coxwell Avenue, Toronto, ON starting at 8:00 pm each night. Doors open at 7:30 pm for early seating and hospitality. This event is by pre-ordered Tickets Only, and tickets are $20.00 advance (to be picked up at the door). Advance tickets are available by emailing: darwynrecords@yahoo.com and please request to be on the guest list. All ages are welcome, and this venue is family friendly.

Real Vegan Style: Melisser Elliott

I'm trying to remember the first time I discovered Melisser Elliott's blog The Urban Housewife. I'm pretty sure I've been following it for at least 3 years if not longer, time just seems to go by so fast lately that I can't keep track. However, there could be another explanation as to why I can't remember, I've felt like I've known Melisser for much longer than 3 years. She's just the kind of person that you feel like you've known forever. I have yet to meet the fabulous Melisser in person, but she is one of my favourite people to follow and chat with from the vast and ever growing online vegan community. So back in June when she contacted me about featuring my blog in a little vegan lifestyle book she was putting together I, of course, jumped at the chance. All of you now know that little book as The Vegan Girls Guide To Life. When her book reached bookstores on World Vegan Day 2010 (November 1rst), I'm sure like me you ran out, scoop one up and read it cover to cover. Over the months following her book's debut, Melisser set off on a book tour adventure. She visited Manhatten, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston, Brooklyn, Paris, London, Brighton and many other places. If you missed her book tour dates back in November & December fear not she's back in the US of A with a few tour dates this January (I'll be listing the dates below). Now most of you know that Melisser is not just a book author, she's somewhat of a vegan jack of all trades. Like I mentioned above she has her drool-worthy vegan food blog The Urban Housewife and is one fourth of the San Fransisco's vegan bakery Sugar Beat Sweets' team. She also has 10 years of working as a makeup artist under her pleather belt and recently started the vegan cosmetic website Cruelty-Free Face. Last but not least Melisser also helps fight the good fight by participating in animal activism & vegan outreach. Go Melisser!

Tour Dates:

January 2nd Berkeley, CA at Saturn Cafe Space Lounge, 6pm to 9pm 

January 4th Sacramento, CA at Never Felt Better Vegan Shop, 7pm to 9pm 

January 8th Seattle, WA at Cakespy Shop, 2pm to 4pm 

January 11th Portland, OR at Herbivore Clothing, time TBD 

January 14th Los Angeles, CA, location TBD 7pm to 9pm

Book • Food Website • Cosmetic Website • Bakery
UH Facebook • UH Twitter • CFF Twitter

Dress: H&M • Belt: H&M • Tights: Calzedonia • Shoes: New Yorker • Hair Accessory: Cutie Dynamite

Image Source & Credit: Lauren Chesnutt 

Real Vegan Style: Dan Mims

Hey, readers! I'm very excited about this week's Real Vegan Style post because it's a special one. I'd like for all of you to say Hi to Dan Mims. Dan is the first EVER suave vegan man to be featured in this column. Um now where to start, well I do try to post vegan fashion for you boys once in a while, but I don't always seem to get around to it. However, fear not Dan has a fabulous new vegan fashion site for all you cruelty-free men launching near the end of November. His new site The Ethical Man will be the first ever 100% vegan apparel shop dedicated to men. I really do think The Ethical Man will be the go-to site for men seeking style, value, and peace of mind. After all, real men don't harm animals, and they do care about how what they buy affects the world. The Ethical Man's debut offering will include vegan coats, neckties, bow ties, belts, wallets, and an original accessory line including cuff links, tie bars, and dog tags. I'm oh so excited to see all these fabulous vegan pieces.

Okay so now it's time for us to get back to Dan because he really is an interesting, talented & inspiring fella. Dan is 26, lives in Brooklyn NY, is a twin and has been vegan for 6 years. He studied Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania and worked in media sales for Spin Magazine and Yahoo! Before founding The Ethical Man. When he's not seeking out chic ethical fashion, he can be found playing drums for HERE a band he formed with his twin brother. HERE is currently putting the finishing touches on their first album and you can head on over to their site to check them out. Dan is also very involved with the NYC vegan community and can be found attending many of its fabulous events. Over the past month, he's visited olsen Haus's Vegan Glamour Designers of the Future party, HSUS's Cool vs. Cruel Awards Ceremony, SuperVegan's monthly Vegan Drinks mixer and Mercy For Animals NYC's Thanksgiving Vegan Potluck. Last but not least some of his favourite places to eat in NYC are Pukk, Red Bamboo, Blossom & Dirt Candy. I know I plan on hitting up some of these vegan restaurants the next time I'm in NYC.

Website • Twitter • Facebook • YouTube • Blog • Music

"An appealing man doesn't just look great.

He is great -- by which we mean, he is good.

Jacket - Elie Tahari ($150 - sample sale in 2009) • Shirt - Uniqlo ($30) • Jeans - Uniqlo ($30) • Hat - vintage ($30, thrift) • Tie - Jaan J. ($27.50)• Belt - Splaff ($24) • Watch (faux leather band) - Swiss Army (hand-me-down)

Image Source & Credit: Jasmine Wilson for The Ethical Man

Real Vegan Style: Karine Brighten

Karine Brighten is not only a fellow Canadian, but she's also an incredible eco-friendly event planner. Karine has several green weddings, fundraisers, grand openings, non-profit events, cooperate parties and professional conferences under her stylish vegan belt. You can check out her portfolio here. Karine's most recent event was the very successful San Fransisco Vegan Fashion Show. Karine recently moved to Berkeley California and serves on the board of the San Francisco Vegetarian Society. If you're in need of someone to help you plan an awesome eco-friendly event in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this is the lady to contact! When Karine is not planning fabulous eco events, you can find her posting on her Green Weddings blog.

"Karine Brighten is dedicated to planning affordable, eco-friendly events and is committed to reducing the environmental impact that events can have on the planet."

Karine Brighten Events • Facebook • Twitter • Blog • Yelp

Karine is pictured below between two San Fran Vegan Fashion Show Models.

Poinsettia Dress by Eco Skin - Mission Savvy • Leggings - Le Chateau • Shoes - Payless • Jewelry - Handmade by Karine Brighten

Image Source & Credit: Karine Brighten

Real Vegan Style: Mandi Hoffman

For almost 2 years now I've been a huge fan of the fabulous Mandi Hoffman's stellar vegan blog Chic Vegan. So when she agreed to but together an outfit for my Real Vegan Style column, I was super stoked. Mandi's blog has inspired many of my own vegan fashion posts. A few months back she did a fantastic 2 part post on how to make your wardrobe not only animal-friendly but also people friendly (sweatshop free). It really is a truly inspiring post, and a must read (part 1 & part 2). Mandi has been vegan for 5 years,  has a passion for the circus arts and lives in vegan mecca also know as Portland, Oregon. Below are not just one but two fabulous outfits she put together for this post! Enjoy!

"My mission is to spread the message that you can be fashionable, eat amazing food and live a remarkable life all while making the most ethical choices possible." - Mandi Hoffman

Website/Blog • Facebook • Twitter • Personal Blog

Outfit #1 (Left): Dress- Nordstrom Rack • Vest - Vintage • Boots - Shiekh Shoes • Necklace - Vintage • Bag - GG2G 

Outfit #2 (right): Dress - Vintage • Leggings - Nordstrom Rack • Shoes - Shiekh Shoes • Belt - Vintage • Necklace - Vintage

Image Source & Credit: Mandi Hoffman aka Chic Vegan

Real Vegan Style: Kristin Lajeunesse

I first met Kristin Lajeunesse when she wrote a fabulous review for my blog on The Vegan Reviewer. Since then we've chatted online on and off through many forms of social media. Over the past year I've learned she's lives in Boston MA, loves all things vegan (including fashion!), loves to post pictures of delish vegan food on her Facebook (mmmm) and is in general one amazing lady. Actually, she's kind of a wonder woman! Not only does she work full-time as a Communications Associate at the World Society for the Protection of Animals (wow that was a lot to type) but she also works part-time for both Vegan Mainstream and the Albany Vegetarian Network. Kristin volunteers her time at the Albany Vegetarian Network as a Marketing Coordinator for their upcoming Vegan Fashion show. With all the hard work that she's put into the show, I can guarantee it's a not to be missed event for anyone who lives in or near the state of New York. I so wish I could go! Click HERE for more details. Since Kristin is such a lover of vegan fashion, I figure it was just natural for me to ask her to put together an outfit for this column. So without further ado, I give you Kristin's outfit, enjoy!

Twitter • Blog • NY Vegan Fashion Show • Linkedin

Shoes - by Cri de Coeur, $59.50 - Cri de Coeur's Online Store  • Pants - by Express, • Shirt - by The Herbivore Clothing Company, $23.00 - Herbivore Online Store  • Jacket - by BB Dakota, $62.30 - Alternative Outfitters  • Purse (only visible in lower right pic) - by Queen Bee Creations, $20.00 - purchased at Magpie in Davis Square, Somerville, MA 

Image Source & Credit - Kristin Lajeunesse

Real Vegan Style: Nicole Simone

This lovely lady is not only a friend of mine, but she's also a über talented singer, songwriter & musician. You can find Nicole performing around Toronto under the name Late July. Her most recent album has been one of my favourites to play in the background while I'm hard at work bringing you fashion filled posts. I'm of course listening to it now as I type.  You can find her album Side Swept on iTunes. When Nicole is not performing, you'll find her volunteering with animal rescue groups (Kennel Inn Inc, Epic Tails Horse & Dog Rescue and much more) and running around Toronto either enjoying a vegan cupcake or having her picture taken in fabulous outfits like this one below.

Website • Blog •  Facebook • Twitter • Music

White Cotton Tee - Giant Tiger - $3 • Black Acrylic Mix Skirt - Giant Tiger -$12 • Nylons $5 • Black Faux Leather Boots - Suzy Sheir - $30 • Green Soft Acrylic Vintage Scarf - Vintage Store - Kensington Market - $10 • Elastic Vinyl Belt - Off Another Giant Tiger Dress

Late July • Side Swept • Binary Hearts
(My Personal Fav)


Image Source & Credit: Nicole Simone