Fashionable British shoemaker Beyond Skin uses no animal products in its wares
NATALIE dEAN IS AN IdEALIST whose vision is best expressed in her glamorous, fashion-forward shoes, refashioning, as it were, the way we look at ourselves, our notions of other species, and our planet. Her exquisite wares are handmade without the skins of animals, as well as without materials that are deleterious to the environment. And her English company is committed to socially responsible management practices and fair treatment of employees.
It all began when Dean chose to become vegan, after years of vegetarianism. Implicit in veganism is a shunning of animal abusers and exploiters and, thus, her wearing of leather shoes became a thing of the past. Searching for stylish, cruelty-free footwear, she found none and, in 2001, created Beyond Skin. Dean has two collections. Her exclusive Sui Generis label is handmade in England and inspired by 1930s vintage chic. Costing between $450 and $800, they’re custom-made to your specifications, with beautiful vintage fabrics to select from. Less rarefied is Dean’s Beyond Skin label, which retails for between $180 and $298.
Dean’s shoes are made from an array of fabrics, faux leather, and faux suedes. The faux suedes are microfiber and the faux leathers are polyurethane, both of which come from Spain and Italy, ensuring EU restrictions on pollution and ethical working standards. Beyond Skin soles are made in part from recycled rubber resin. Stamped on the bottom is “Genuinely Not Leather.”
Many in the creative world share Dean’s philosophy and adore the shoes: Chrissie Hynde, Phoebe Philo, Alison Goldfrapp, Pink, Leona Lewis, and Natalie Portman. Portman wore Beyond Skin in her film V for
“Keira”
Vendetta and Sui Generis for the Oscars and Golden Globes in 2006.
Five percent of Beyond Skin’s profits goes to ethical charities that support people, animals, or the environment. The company has been honored by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, PETA, and the UK-based Vegan Society. 0
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