The genesis of the company came from Hilgart's own desire for a stylish winter coat that wasn't "accidentally vegan" because it used substitutes for wool, fur or leather to drive down costs.

CNN: Vegan couture: Faux meets fabulous

For years Rebecca Brough, a Hollywood stylist, refused to use leather or fur when putting celebrities in nice clothes for public appearances and magazine shoots.

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"There's a point of view from many people in the fashion industry that having real leather or fur pieces adds a kind of elevated conception, " she said.

CNN: Vegan couture: Faux meets fabulous

Families who have already weaned themselves off the grid, or opted, when possible, for public transport, veganism, non-exploitation of native species, refusing to wear leather, fur, or exploit animals in any way, need to be rewarded for their benign, cruelty-free (or nearly free) environmental altruism.

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Most of her clients, including actresses Alicia Silverstone and Pamela Anderson, were happy for Brough, a vegan who doesn't eat or use products made with animal meat or by-products, to dress them in fake leather and fur apparel.

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There the skins are soaked in a chemical bath to soften the leather, and the fur is greased and "finished"--meaning, bleached, dyed or toned, depending on use and fashion trends.

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