Meet MINK Shoes – chic, totally cruelty-free and vegan, Italian-made and extremely stylish.

Have you ever dreamed of glamorous and trendy, but handcrafted, vegan and ethically made shoes that can take you from the office to a night out on the town? We’ve found the answer with MINK shoes, a collection of completely cruelty-free heels, flats and boots from the eco-chic city of Los Angeles. We especially love how each collection is named after the animal it personifies!

Founded in 2004 by designer Rebecca Mink, a devoted environmental preservationist and animal rights promoter, MINK shoes has taken off as a collection of luxury and couture vegan shoes that have adorned the feet of celebrities and women around the world. Rebecca wanted to create a collection of eco chic footwear that was made from animal-free and environmentally friendly materials, but also crafted by skilled artisans that believed in the importance in quality of their craft.

So she found an Italian shoemaker whose family has been crafting shoes for many generations, and was eager to take on the challenge of creating shoes from alternative materials. After many years of development and experimentation, a collection of shoes made from materials such as wood, rubber, organic fabrics, cork and vegan leather was created. The picture was completed by the development of a recycled paper shoe bag for environmentally friendly packaging.

Sexy, sleek and definitely full of LA style, Rebecca’s collection of MINK shoes includes towering heels. daring boots and chic slip-ons that bring out the feminine glow in every woman. Exceptionally engineered to last a lifetime and designed to prove that chic and responsible can meet when it comes to shoes, the MINK collection is the ultimate choice for cruelty-free, ethically made and glamorous  footwear.

MINK now needs your help to keep expanding their gorgeous collect and compete in the ever competitive luxury shoe market. You can help Rebecca and her team make vegan shoes even more available worldwide by supporting their indiegogo campaign, which runs until April 18th, 2014. Perks for donating include anything from being invited to the launch party, to a pair of their incredibly glam glitter clogs, to a pair of custom vegan shoes or even a private tour of their manufacturing process in Tuscany, Italy. Check it out today and help make vegan shoes today!

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Images: MINK Shoes

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Seven sustainably savvy wedge heels, perfect for wearing to all those outdoor summer parties.

Summer soirées are often held on lawns, which require that you choose your footwear wisely. Trust me, I’ve tried to wear pumps to BBQs, but those heels just sink right into the grass. Wedges are comfortable and won’t slide down into the grass, and they happen to be very on trend for summer as well. Here are seven of our sustainably savvy favorites.

1. Naya Eternal

This summer is all about happy, bright color. These wedge sandals from Naya have a super flattering shape and come in a range of delicious colors, including this mustardy yellow. The woven detailing on the heel makes them feel summery and special. Made from vegetable tanned leather.

$145, Planet Shoes

2. Cri de Coeur Nico in Black/Gold

If you’re in a happy disco-sort of mood, these open-toe cut-out booties are the perfect shoes for summer festivities. Inspired by Andy Warhol’s muse, the ‘Nico’ features contrasting metallic panels and a partially covered wedge. Handmade in Los Angeles from all vegan materials such as sustainable wood, ultra-suede made from recycled plastic, and eco-PU.

$380, Cri de Coeur

3. OlsenHaus Mrs Roper-Red Print

This fun summer shoe perfectly channels two of summer’s big trends: bright color and prints. It will look great with anything from a casual summer dress to a bikini. OlsenHaus shoes are always 100% vegan and manufactured according to Fair Trade and ethical business practices. These are made from faux suede, cork and printed cotton fabric.

$265, OlsenHaus

4. Marais Oxford Espadrille

Marais designers Catherine Chen and Haley Boyd design shoes that are fit for girls that spend a lot of time on the move. With this shoe, they’ve put a spin on a canvas oxford by adding an espadrille platform and side cut-outs. Featuring a comfortable 3-inch heel, an open toe, lace-up closure, and matching grosgrain trim around base, these espadrilles come in four basic, wearable colors.

$125, Marais

5. Calleen Cordero Maria Wedge

For a slight down-to-earth vibe, try these Maria wedges by Calleen Cordero. The nude color scheme makes them go with pretty much everything, making them an instant wardrobe staple. We love the wood heel, which is easy to walk in too, because of the platform in the front, and the solid brass buckle details give it some edge. Handcrafted in North Hollywood, California.

$459, Calleen Cordero

6. Rhino Wedge from Mink Shoes

These fun, yet highly wearable platform wedges feature a stacked bamboo heel and is made from recycled fabrics. Mink Shoes adheres to a strict policy of animal preservation, protection, and safeguarding in its designs. Each shoe is extremely unique and is offered in limited editions. We love the cute handmade bamboo charm on the ankle strap.

$430, Moo Shoes

7. Cork Wedge by Swedish Hasbeens

Inspired by vintage sports and great athletes of the past, these cork wedges from Swedish Hasbeens are made from naturally dyed leather and cork — which is a renewable material. They are a great way to subtly incorporate that sportswear trend into your summer wardrobe, but will look great with feminine dresses as well.

$211, Swedish Hasbeens

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