Fashion's clear conscience

Last week, in response to public demand, highstreet chain Zara pulled real fur out of all its UK stores. Everyone knows that as far as vegetarians are concerned, fur is the devil's raincoat.

But, somehow, leather seems to have snuck under the ethical radar and is worn by all but the most vehement vegan - despite the unpleasant fact that the softest leather comes from unborn calves. Furthermore, leather doesn't just come from cows and pigs - zebras, dolphins and endangered turtles are all victims of the leather industry.

While it is possible to be fashionable and environmentally minded, it takes a lot of effort. This is largely because when it comes to style, animalfriendly shoes are hardly up there with a pair of Manolos. Stella McCartney, a life-long vegan, is currently the only designer to refuse to use leather or fur.

Her accessories include satin backpacks and velvet sandals, which have attracted fans such as Natalie Portman, Alicia Silverstone and Pamela Anderson. And, as Stella quite rightly points out, "Fur is not a good look; it looks better on animals than on human beings."

Fashion-conscious eco warriors could also head to Armani and Katharine Hamnett, both of whom are embracing ethical fashion. Armani uses recycled materials and hemp (unlike cotton, an environmentally friendly fabric as it can be grown without using chemicals) in some of his jeans. Katharine Hamnett, meanwhile, uses organically grown cotton where possible and plans to launch a fully organic range next year.