In a year that's seen major fashion houses ban fur, the desire for ethical fashion continue its meteoric rise, and ELLE become the first major publication to stop publishing fur across its editorial and advertising content world wide (props to us!), it feels more important than ever to celebrate the strides being made towards a more sustainable and cruelty-free fashion future.
PETA's annual Fashion Awards do just that, giving recognition to those brands, style icons and designers 'who have made big statements for animals'. And now, the results of 2021 Awards have been announced, to help us shop with a conscience in 2022. Here's everything you need to know, and the brands to be particularly proud of:
Biggest fur-free moment: Kering
Balenciaga is among the Kering fashion houses which has gone fur-free
As the first ever luxury fashion group to ban animal fur across all its brands, including the likes of Balenciaga and Bottega Veneta, Kering deservedly won the award for 'Biggest Fur-Free Moment'. Most of Kering's fashion houses already began phasing out fur some years ago – remember when Gucci led a small revolution by announcing it was going fur-free in 2017? But it was only in October 2021 that Kering's CEO and chairman Francois-Henri Pinault announced that 'fur has no place in luxury', officially banning it from all future collections – much to PETA and ethical fashion lovers everywhere's delight.
Best luxury moment: Valentino and Armani
The 'Best Luxury Moment' award went to fashion houses Valentino and Armani for their decision to ban angora earlier this year due to its cruel production methods.
Progress award: GANNI
The 'Progress Award' was won by street-style favourite GANNI, which went leather-free in 2021 due to the material's negative impact on the environment and animals – turning its attentions instead to vegan materials, which are becoming increasingly popular.
Fashionista favourite GANNI won the Progress Award for its use of vegan leather
Best vegan shoes: Allkind
Ethical and sustainable luxury brand Allkind won big, thanks to its 100% vegan leather shoes, which don't scrimp on style.
Innovation award: Gucci
Gucci was awarded for making strides in the use of cruelty-free leather alternatives, by creating its own in-house animal free material crafted from 77% raw plant-based materials. The new textile, called Demetra, is the result of years of dedicated research and will be used to create the brand's signature accessories.
ELLE's Top Shopping Picks From Cruelty-Free Fashion Brands
Gucci Rhyton Sneakers With Stars
These Gucci sneakers are made from Gucci's ownvegan leather called Demetra, which has been crafted from 77 per centraw plant-based materials.
Stella McCartney Frayme Zipit Small Faux Shearling Shoulder Bag
All the shearling – minus the associated cruelty. The new Stella McCartney Frayme bagis vegan, and perfect for making a winter statement.
Ganni Cutline Ecru Stary Trousers
The brand recently announced it will be going entirely leather-free, but it was already making strides in ethical fashion. These trousers are made from 100 per cent organic cotton.
House Of Sunny Cypress Peggy Spiral-Print Faux-Fur Knitted Cardigan
This brand is an influencer and street-style favourite thanks to its cool-girl designs and wool-free pieces.
Valentino Taffeta Mini Dress
Valentino has been praised for ditching angora from all future collections, and this is the perfect party dress to celebrate in.
Stella McCartney Frayme Small Faux-Leather Shoulder Bag
Stella's new Frayme bags are crafted in the cruelty-free textileMylo, which ismade from infinitely renewable mycelium.
Nike Air Force 1 '07 LX Faux Leather-Trimmed Canvas Sneakers
There is no animal leather in these shoes at all – even the eye-catching trims are vegan.
Ganni Printed Crepe Ruffle High Collar Dress
We will be wearing this new crepe dress with tights and boots for now – but in spring too, with Ganni's hotly anticipated grape-'leather' sandals.
Valentino Vlogo Earrings In Metal And Swarovski Crystals
Dress up any outfit instantly with Valentino's glittering, logo earrings.
Tiger print is particularly fetching when it is made using cruelty-free materials.
Stella McCartney X Adidas Vegan Stan Smith Sneakers
Queen of cruelty-free fashion, Stella McCartney has teamed up with Adidas to design her own vegan leather take on the classic Stan Smith sneakers.
House Of Sunny Midnight Swirl Textured Knitted Top
This top has fun details on the front and back, and is just waiting to be taken out-out.
Allkind Vegan Leather Black Stiletto
Classic black courts get a vegan twist thanks to ethical and sustainable luxury brand, Allkind.
Best vegan bag: Stella McCartney
It's no surprise that the original ethical fashion queen received a coveted award. The brand was celebrated for its Frayme Mylo bag, made from infinitely renewable mycelium and debuted at Stella McCartney's SS22 show in Paris.
Vegan glow-up: Adidas
The cult Stan Smith sneaker has been given a vegan make-over, and is now available in animal-free materials. Bravo, Adidas!
Best wool-free knitwear: House of Sunny
East London label House of Sunny has been gaining momentum since being spotted on the likes of Bella Hadid – and now its colourful, patterned knits are PETA-approved too, thanks to the fact that they are entirely animal-free.
House of Sunny won an award for its wool-free knits
Men's fashion award: Oliver Co. London
The socially conscious modern man should look to Oliver Co. London for stylish accessories which are made from bio-based materials including apple leather, wood and organic cotton.
Collaboration award: Nike and Ananas Anam
The iconic sportswear brand teamed up with material innovation company Ananas Anam to create a sneaker collection made entirely from pineapple leaf fibres. Naturally, PETA is a fan – and so are we.
Special achievement award: Elisabetta Franchi
One of the first designers to go fur-free back in 2012, and subsequently dropping feathers and angora from her designs, Elisabetta Franchi won the Special Achievement Award for her contributions to ethical fashion.
