Vegetarian Star

“It’s not about the numbers. It’s about the people that we touch. I meet someone who says, ‘I love what you guys stand for.’ I started this business because I wanted to prove to myself, to the world that we could do beautiful products and still stand for compassion.”

–Inder Bedi, founder of Matt and Nat, a vegan fashion label that specializes in bags, belts, wallets and even laptop carrying cases, which were developed for Apple. Bedi recently spoke at an event at Canadian Holt Renfrew department store, where bloggers had the task of styling a mannequin with his apparel.

Source.

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Matt & Nat Apple

Matt and Nat, a vegan handbag and accessories company based in Canada, has a workplace policy on eating that mirrors its business principles. Vegetarian dining is a must on the job and when employees go out for lunches together for work related activities.

The dress policy includes no leather, suede or fur.

And these rules the company has followed for 7 years made one ex-employee angry.

(more…)

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Matt & Nat Apple

Apple Computers, ran by the vegan Steve Jobs and Matt & Nat handbags, a vegan company with faux leather bags and other accessories are together in a partnership that could not be any sweeter if it had taken place in Silicon Valley over vegan ice cream.

(more…)

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Matt & Nat

Vegan handbag and accessory company Matt & Nat is one of two finalists in the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Competition.

Inder Bedi, co-owner and creative director for Matt & Nat, was challenged to go vegan for 30 days. He not only created different recipes, but an eco-friendly, animal-friendly line of handbags that feature faux leather and signature celebrity designs like the Jorja Fox.

The Ernst & Young Young Entrepreneur of the Year award recognizes entrepreneurs in Canada and worldwide for their ability to “drive growth, build communities and transform.” Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services in the world, along with companies such as PrincewaterhouseCoopers and Deloitte. In 2009, Forbes magazine recognized Ernst & Young as the 10th largest private company in the U.S.

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Looking good while protecting the Earth has never been easier or more fashionable, according to an article in the Times Online, which drops well known names such as Stella McCartney and the Matt & Nat brand of handbags.

Stella has extended her collection of leather and fur free items to include organic dresses.

Says the Times:

“It’s now possible to dress ethical for most situations that life throws at you. Bllack Noir, the new, cheaper line from the edgy eco-brand Noir, is great for sparkly party pieces, and you can even go eco in the office with Ascension’s smart tailoring. This new marriage of ethics and exciting design is cause for celebration, especially if you believe in the principle of looking good.”

The Times has conveniently offered ethical designer selections for evening wear, casual, jewelry and office wear.

Going out for a night on the town?

“Bllack Noir uses Fairtrade organic fabrics and runs community projects for its factory workers; Annie Greenabelle, Tara Starlet and Matt & Nat use reclaimed materials; and vegans can feel good about partying in Melissa’s plastic heels.”

Find the best suggestions for ethical jewelry and more at The Times Online.

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Leanne Hilgart

Several vegetarian/vegan fashion designers are featured in a chron.com article on cruelty-free fashion, including Leanne Hilgart of vegan outerwear company Vaute Couture, Inder Bedi of Matt & Nat handbags and Elizabeth Olsen of Olsen Haus Vegan Shoe.

“Fashion isn’t my background, but I’m interested in fulfilling a need,” Hilgart said. “I didn’t really know if people would respond, so I crossed my fingers. A lot of people ordered their winter coats in June.”

“All the pretty, warm coats weren’t vegan, so I was always cold. I thought I was the only person who wanted one.”

Elizabeth Olsen started Olsen Haus in 2008 and her shoes range from $150-$265.

“There was such a big gap in the market for stylish vegan shoes and, once I went vegan, what was I going to wear?” she said. “I needed to do this. It’s not granola fashion, and I’m not a hippie. I made what I like and what’s on trend.”

Read what else the veg designers have to say at chron.com.

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Ellen DeGeneres loves to give them away.

Jorja Fox has a purse named after her.

Yeah, you know what we’re talking about. The vegan Matt & Nat handbag collection!

VegNews magazine caught up with Inder Bedi, founder of Matt & Nat, to talk about the cool perks of owning and running a vegan business.

Not only is this guy successful financially, he gives back, including feeding indigent people vegetarian meals.

“We give back to many different types of charities all over North America and Europe, from animal-rights to battered women’s shelters to feeding 400 homeless people a vegetarian meal twice a year in Montreal. An example of all this is a new brand we just launched, Samsara. One dollar for every bag sold goes to the charity of your choice. In three months since the launch, we’ve already committed more than $16,000!”

Check out the rest of Inder’s interview at VegNews.com.

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W Magazine

The vegan “must have” item list is here!

W Magazine has compiled a slideshow of accessories every vegan and animal lover should check off on their next shopping trip.

The Matt & Nat handbags like the one shown here are a favorite of Ellen DeGeneres and that darn veggie diva Jorja Fox even has several bags named after her!

Besides the handbag, there’s a vegan shoe by Elizabeth Olsen and Vivienne Westwood shoes made from sustainable plastic.

Our favorite guilty vegan accessory: Erin McKenna’s vegan sweets cookbook, containing many recipes used in her New York vegan bakery, Baby Cakes. 

Uh-oh, did someone say vegan sweets? Dr. Ian Smith…help!

Visit wmagazine.com to view the entire slideshow of must have vegan accessories.

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