As we increasingly become glued to our iPhones checking the latest instagram feed featuring “it women” with their “it bags” and then flipping on the latest Vogue’s publication on Zinio with eye-catching editorials and ads, the fleeting desire to own that new $5000 “it bag” or a blatant logo belt suddenly takes over our sensibility.
But there is a darker side of extravagance and desire for luxury (don’t gloat guys, we’re not just talking about women here).
Desiring luxury without compromising on the “values” can be a tricky task. And more often than not, I’ve seen the best of people resorting to compromise on their “values” when it comes to, let’s say their wardrobes {while I believe it is more to do with the need to show-off their ability to own a certain brand or in certain cases peer-pressure}.
Which is a terrible thing, you know, because fashion is not supposed to be a rat race, but a means to express yourself and luxury is not meant for anyone but yourself. If I have to stand in a queue for buying a luxury bag, or rummage a 5 feet bag with discounted designer stuff, it’s not worth the money, because this very activity defeats the purpose of luxury {atleast for me}. And when it comes to compromising on my “values” for a certain bag or a belt, or any brand for that matter, the essence of luxury is lost.
So when my own dear brother and I had a heated argument where he wanted a Ferragamo or Hermes logo belt {funny because his name does not even start with H}, and I, of course, didn’t want him to buy leather we settled on the note I will ensure we both get our ways. So there, I set myself on the task where I can get him his “Ferragamo” but make sure no animal was killed for it. While it took me nearly a dozen phone calls ringing in three continents, I did get the job done.
After looking for the “Vegan Ferragamo” belt in stores in US, Europe and Asia, I finally found the solution with these limited edition “Ferragamo” buckles at their Dubai Mall store. Bravo! Now all I had to do was find a good quality vegan leather belt and swap the buckles, which was an easy task. This reminds me of the common adage
“where there is a will, there is a way”.
This is for all my fashion and designer brand loving readers. In the 21st century where the likes of Tom Ford is making custom make vegan boots for their celebrity client {cuff, cuff – ex-vegan Anne Hathaway}, and Givenchy is coming out with the rubber-version of their cult leather Antigona bag, it’s really pitiable if you are succumbing to the leather “designer tags”. If you want a taste of real luxury, save up a few more bucks and get yourself a custom vegan-version done of the new item on your lust list. And if that’s too aspiring, just find the vegan way to get what you want.
Can’t find something? Shoot me an email (styledestino.com@gmail.com) and I’ll help you with the best resources I have. But please, in the name of lord and your conscience, don’t give up on your vegetarian/vegan principles and resort to killing an animal for fashion.
