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The term "bleeding heart" is often tossed about in a sneering, mocking fashion, aimed at people who feel compelled to lead lives that reflect their standing on social issues. A bleeding heart can be anyone who sympathises with Madonna's efforts to adopt Malawian children to people who recycle their sandals.
Footwear is actually quite a contentious issue among the socially conscious. There's a level of hypocrisy involved in proclaiming yourself a vegetarian and a human and animal rights activist, while prancing around in genuine leather boots made by children younger than 10, in a sweat shop in India.
Unfortunately ethical options are somewhat limited, and trends can be dodgy to say the least. But, with the help of some high profile celebrity vegetarians, more manufacturers are turning their attention to this previously untapped market and are bringing guilt-free, high-end fashion to the masses.
Natalie Portman, who has been voted one of the sexiest vegetarians by PETA, has launched her own line of vegan shoes, which are available at TeCasan.com. At an average cost $270, they aren't going to fit everyone's wallet, but in true bleeding heart style, Ms Portman isn't in it for profit. The proceeds go to animal rights organisations and various other "green" charities.
For the average vegetarian, i.e. those of us who don't earn $20 million for starring in films, there are more affordable options. Bourgeois Boheme (BoBo) is a company dedicated to providing products that encompass animal rights, human rights and environmentally friendly business practices.
Their range of products includes vegan footwear, bags, wallets, belts, and cosmetics that have been approved under the Humane Cosmetics Standard (HCS) and certified by the British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV).
Bourgeois Boheme is utopia for anyone with a social conscience. They advertise themselves as idealists against human, animal and environmental exploitation and who are inspired by a "cruelty-free lifestyle where style and fashion need not be sacrificed". BoBo actively source and investigate all companies they partner with, to ensure that they conform to BoBo's high ethical standards.
Their list of NGO partners also testifies to their bleeding heart commitment. They belong to Vegetarians International Voice for Animals (VIVA), they are Vegan Society Trademarked and are a PETA Business Friend, supporting the PETA Research and Education Foundation (PREF).
While still not offering the cheapest footwear options around (prices range from 84 Pounds to 120 Pounds), BoBo maintain that their ethical guarantees and the quality of their uncompromising sourcing, makes them cost effective in the long run.
If you're not impressed by BoBo's dedication to preserve all things living, or you find their zeal for clean living overshadows your simple need for fashionable, vegan shoes, you can visit PlanetShoes.com. They feature vegan ranges from established style brands. El Naturalista, Acorn, Earth, Patagonia and Simple are all established shoe manufacturers who have moved to capitalise on the growing animal rights market. All of the products are vegan-approved so you can step out in the trendiest boots, trainers, slippers, sandals and formal footwear available. Prices range from $48 - $159, depending on special offers.
There's no getting around the fact that green, animal friendly shoes are more expensive than the other kind. But as a bleeding heart, you need to weigh that cost against your peace of mind. Personally, I would rather bleed a little money than wear something that bled much more of something else.
Linda McCartney, a very famous bleeding heart, once said that if slaughterhouses had glass walls the whole world would be vegetarian. She would probably apply the same logic to tanneries and the resulting desire to forego leather jackets and motorcycle boots. If the imagery isn't enough to convince you, consider that some of the greatest minds of all time abstained from meat products. Einstein, Isaac Newton, Gandhi, Bob Marley, Leonardo da Vinci, Tobey Maguire, and Pamela Anderson all make for illustrious company indeed.
Recommended sites:
http://www.bboheme.com/hers-c-1.html
[http://www.tecasan.com/Content.aspx?Page=Designer_info&Designer=natalie]
http://www.planetshoes.com/storeitems.asp?fscat=568
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