Chicago may not be heralded as the fashion capital of the world yet, but for the animal kingdom it is. Designer Leanne Hilgart is out to make a groundbreaking fashion statement: you can look breathtaking without the help of animal hides.

Leanne founded Vaute Couture in September to produce runway-quality fashion without using leather, fur, down or even wool. Her first focus is the fashion woe of fabulous animal lovers everywhere and inspired by the Windy City's longest season- a fabulous winter coat. All of her materials are sourced without a single finger laid upon a single animal. We sat down with Leanne to learn more about her products, her mission and her vegan values:

GX: How long have you been a vegan?

LH: Since I was ten years old, I've been vegetarian (and went vegan at 18.) In fifth grade, our school held a Science Fair, and I chose factory farming as my topic. Learning about the cruelty for the sake of profit, as well as the environmental and health effects, I decided not to be a part of it. It's an easy way for me to make a difference every day.

At the core, I consider myself an activist. In high school, I lobbied the administration to discontinue the dissection of cats in Biology class. It gained national support for an Illinois bill to pass into a law requiring dissection alternatives in all K-12 classrooms. Later, I went to DePaul for undergraduate work, and started an Animal Rights & Welfare organization there that worked closely with Chicago Animal Care, held student protests, and brought in nationally recognized speakers like Howard Lyman- fun fact- the man responsible for Lisa Simpson being veg (and yes, I DO believe you can win friends with salad.)

GX: Why the shift into the business world?

LH: Entrepreneurship is the new activism. It has the potential to fundamentally change how industries do things. Certainly I could continue pressuring fashion designers to make incremental improvements in their sourcing, but I can directly push and support the industry changes by creating my own vision of a truly sustainable, truly ethical line of clothing, while also supporting & promoting nonprofits I believe in.

Aesthetics and Ethics, I think they can make a great team. I've always loved art and enjoy painting & photography. I've been modeling with Ford Models since 2003 including contracts in Taipei and Hong Kong, so to me, fashion is art you can wear-- it's an inspiring creative process that involves so many dimensions- movement, touch, shapes...

GX: So you are designing and figuring out how to make these materials? Seems like a lot.

LH: I'm a big believer in collaboration!  Discovering and developing alternatives to wool and other animal derived fabrics that are fabulous, eco-conscious, affordable, have the right drape, and are warm is a very tall order. It is also the backbone of what we do, and we've been spending almost 8 months getting it right for the first line, including working with a well-known fabric manufacturer famous for their cold weather fabrics... some of their newest developments are just what we were looking for. I'm so excited to unveil them! 

As for designs, our first three inspirations have come from an art competition we held last fall with judges like Ecorazzi, Design*Sponge, Celeb Chef Isa Chandra Moskowitz, and Green with Glamour.  Then we had the veg/eco community tell us which were their favorite designs, and they did! 8,000 votes in 6 days and we got to work turning them into a reality ever since. I love working with other artists & getting the community's opinion too, to create something together. It's like a symphony!

GX: Is your clothing for celebs only, or can we afford this stuff too?

LH: We are developing our ready-to-wear line of coats to flatter all fabulous women- to be as lovely outside as they are in, and will be at a Macy’s/Nordstrom price level.  It’s crucial to the movement that they be accessible and affordable.  The line will be available in boutiques this Fall/Winter -- including our Green Exchange boutique -- and online at VauteCouture.com.  But we always offer made to order custom pieces as well, like our special occasion full length Awe Coat made of bamboo and organic cotton velvet, which is available now.

GX: Speaking of the Green Exchange, why did you choose to join us?

LH: It’s the community. I'm excited to come in everyday and see other businesses who are also working to make the world more sustainable and compassionate, each in their own way and in their own industry.  It is a group I am so excited to be a part of, learn from, and grow with.

Also, I’m thrilled about the event space. Events are one of my most favorite things and I know this space is going to be something like the city has never seen before with fabulous events I can’t wait to be a part of!