Jessica and I had an interesting debate that we wanted to share with all you and hear your respective sides of the argument. I was browsing vegan shoes online one day looking for some basic flats. I went on to Stella McCartney’s website, remembering that she is vegan and makes vegan shoes, which by the way, I think is awesome. I expected that they would be priced accordingly, maintaining a designer status price tag, somewhere in the $100-$200 range. Boy was I shocked when I saw this Stella McCartney faux snakeskin flat for $535!
The debate was this…
Bridget: I was outraged that a fellow vegan would exploit her position of power by gouging customers out of $535 for making an ethical statement with their shoes. I felt that it lacked accessibility, which I think is the key to making a difference, as most people on this planet cannot spend $535 on shoes.
Jessica: I don’t think that just because she makes vegan products means that they should be inherently affordable to everyone or ethical in every sense. She is a big name designer, and as such, her products have a big name designer price tag, regardless of the materials they’re made of. I think it’s great that vegan items are being introduced in the high fashion market, where the idea of veganism will be spread in a community of designer item consumers, who ultimately have influence on other mass markets. For example, we often see big name designs copycatted by mainstream lines, and perhaps that means that this is a starting point for stylish (read: non-stereotypical-hippie-wear) vegan fashions to hit the mainstream. Also, consumers of luxury products also have more spending power, and in the free market, people vote with their $$ and ultimately influence the popularity of certain items.
What do you guys think?
I don’t think that there is any requirement that vegan clothes be affordable. In fact, most people who live more ‘ethically’ tend to pay a higher price for it (Ie. organic food costs more, a salad at mcdonalds is $6 but a hamburger is only $1.39).
I think both of you make valid arguments for these shoes as well as introducing animal friendly shoes/clothing into the mainstream. Being a longtime hater of high fashion and the outrageous prices they charge for items most likely made in a sweatshop I would also like to point out that I would be more willing to pay more knowing they were ethically made with eco and animal friendly materials. However, paying over $500 for a pair of flats, no matter who made them, is absolutely ridiculous (unless maybe for charity). I believe charging the consumer such exorbitant prices further perpetuates the fact that people (with or without the money to do so) will pay for something so frivolous. Like Jessica said people vote with their dollars, and we should always take that into consideration when we decide to purchase something. Be it clothing, food, cars or beauty products. A little research and knowledge can take you a long way.
Doesn’t it seem a bit hypocritical that despite the fact these shoes aspire to be ethically conscious as vegan shoes, they’re still a snakeskin print, or fake snakeskin which is almost a tacit endorsement of killing animals for clothing? To someone walking by on the street who doesn’t know any better, aren’t you even on a minute level perpetuating the myth that it’s ok to kill animals for the purpose of fashion?
As to the point of requiring vegan shoes and the like to be set at price points that appeal to more affluent buyers with the hope of a trickle down effect, it may work for styles and things that are visually appealing, but I can’t think of many cases where certain ethics get copied from a higher social stratus to more popular forms of culture. If anything it could have the opposite effect, making people of influence seem even more out of touch with the common man.
thanks for finding me on twitter!
i would love to own stella anything…but she is not in my budget range. nor is a rolls royce. I dont think that her being vegan has anything to do w/ the price of her shoes, or her clothes, or anything she makes. She is a top shelf designer and she charges accordingly. She just happens to be vegan. my .02 anyway!
Stack! Miss ya buddy!
Great points.
I believe that to charge that amount of money for a pair of flats is outrageous and Stella is gouging the public.More affordable vegan clothing would get the message out there to a larger range of people
Vegan or not, why should Stella McCartney be responsible for “affordable” shoes? Why do some people feel they are “owed” this? Because it’s Stella McCartney or vegan? – I don’t think so.
Thanks Mom! (not too biased)
Jenny: Yes an ethically sound life is more expensive, but should it be? Can we make it affordable for people to choose health & wellness over cheap & quick?
David: It is peculiar that they are snakeskin. I equate it to the fake meat debate; some things in our culture are hard to let go of, so we simulate. Though donning these shoes on the streets without people knowing they are fake could ignite an influx of real snake products on the market and that would be horrible!
Thank you everyone for all your great points so far. Keep them coming!
Bridget
I hate snakes. I would never pay $500. or less for anything snakeskin, nor would I ever wear snakeskin, because I hate snakes.
Stella McCartney is a designer. A Huge Designer, who can charge just about anything for her products because someone will buy them (not me).
I totally agree with David. They look like real snakeskin, so she’s certainly not advertising her Veganism through this particular designer piece.
I also agree with Jenny, usually you will pay more for everything “ethical”. It’s a choice.