Winter Coats – Vegan, Ethical & Planet-Friendly

Leaves are starting to turn lovely shades of orange, red, and gold – meaning winter is just around the corner. Can you feel the chill in the air and most importantly, do you have a seasonal coat to satisfy your planet-friendly, vegan, or ethical conscious? Today, I'd like to introduce a few samples of outerwear swimming in a sea of luxurious materials and fashionable comfort. Don't forget - it's never too early to track down the perfect winter coat. Vaute Couture's Bomono Vegan Winter Coat Prepare yourself for the changing weather with the windproof, water resistant, and heat retaining Bomono Luxe ($506) – available in blue, black, ivory, and gray. Oozing with comfort, wrap yourself in this oversized bomber jacket that mirrors the style of a kimono. Fully lined and sleek, the coat works well with a mini or skinny jeans assemble. The shawl collar, dolman sleeves, and foldover cuffs add to the overall presentation. The Bomono (shown above) highlights cutting-edge fashion trends, including fabric from the Polartex Wind Pro Series and a 100% recycled, closed loop, zero waste liner. The shell of the coat is 100% Vegan and 100% recyclable. Vintage metal buttons decorate the coat – detoured from landfills in the United Kingdom. A recycled version of the Bomono is available in black for $405. Izzy Lane If you're looking for a "fashion label with a conscience," look no further than Izzy Lane for your next winter coat. All clothing comes from an ethically run company, using wool originating from their own rare breeds of Wensleydale and Shetland sheep – the majority of which have been saved from the slaughterhouse. Joining the Izzy Lane collection of jackets and coats is an assortment of knitwear, skirts, shoes, and handbags – all of which are approved by the Vegetarian Society. The sheep responsible for the Shetland Collection generates exceptionally fine wool in an array of natural colors with no need for dyes. Speaking to the hearts of animal lovers, the Izzy Lane flock will also carry out the rest of their natural lives in the meadows of the Yorkshire Dales. Just one of the Izzy Lane winter coats to consider – the Shetland Isobel Coat (£395.00) with an alluring detachable belt at waist and slight A-line skirt. Nau For the woman looking for a sharp design with high performance, the Nau Blazing Jacket ($375) fights wintry breezes with a waterproof, knee-length down jacket comprised of 100% recycled poly shell and naturally renewable 650-fill goose down. Not one, but two layers of waterproof and breathable fabric will certainly protect you from the weather. To enhance the function of the coat, the fabric is treated with a DWR-finish for extra water repellency. Additional features include a two-way adjustable hood, ribbed wool interior cuffs, and a snap adjustable waist with belt. Image Credits: Vaute Couture, Izzy Lane, Nau

Celebrities as Eco-Spokespeople

Celebrities have the power to make the entire world stop, look and listen. Sifting through the pages of magazines, we take guilty peeks into their lives and absorb their fashion sense, hairstyles, eating habits, and late-night haunts. Today, we will take a look at some of the eco-friendly lifestyle choices and products that some of your favorite actors, actresses and musicians have embraced over the years – proving the rich and famous can ignite not only the entertainment industry, but also the environmental movement. Cameron Diaz Spreading the word on an important cause and having a decent chunk of the world listen to you is a rather significant gift for a celebrity to possess. Cameron Diaz has been using her star power for many years to promote the Toyota Prius, the use of solar cells in her home, and offsetting carbon use during travel. Hint: She actually calculates how much carbon she uses and then purchases credits from an alternative energy source and plants trees to offset her use. A new eco-documentary is also set to hit the scene, as Diaz travels around the world questioning people's knowledge on environmental issues. Her impact and involvement doesn’t stop there – as she's penned an eco-friendly how-to manual called "Green Book," offering tips on living green. Inside, you'll find 700 solutions to everyday obstacles and lifestyle choices, including information on travel, beauty products, household items, and sporting goods. Leonardo di Caprio From famously driving energy efficient cars to buying an eco-friendly condo in New York City, Leonardo di Caprio (of Titanic fame), can definitely teach you a thing or two about living an earth-friendly lifestyle. He's focused on educating the world on their impact on the environment through mediums, such as his eco-documentary 11th Hour. Besides serving as the co-producer, writer, and narrator of the documentary, he's also partnered with Discovery Networks' Planet Green on projects, like documenting the green rebuilding of a town devastated by a tornado. Adrian Grenier If you're a fan of Entourage, then you probably already have eyes for what Adrian Grenier's character is going to do next. However, outside of the lights, camera, action of Hollywood, Grenier has played an active role in going green and spreading the word. From his own show on the Planet Green channel (Alter Eco) and hosting the Charity: Water Ball to raise money for safe drinking water for developing countries, he's an eco-spokesperson to watch out for in the coming years. Brad Pitt Rebuilding New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina is still a daunting task, but Brad Pitt has embraced a different approach to lending a helping hand. Donating $5 million of his own cash, Pitt supports Make It Right, an adopt-a-green-home campaign concentrated in the Lower 9th Ward. With every $150,000 raised, a family receives a brand new home – eco-friendly, disaster-proof, and one prepared for another hurricane, as the houses even float. To see a complete home, click here. Woody Harrelson He lives in an earth-friendly home and now he wants to share his eco-sense of style with the rest of the world. Woody Harrelson (of White Man Can't Jump) has leaped into a new project that takes place outside the silver screen. Pairing with musician Alanis Morissette, he's not releasing an album, but instead, an eco-friendly line of denim jeans called Reco Jeans – made from 50% recycled material. Ana Ortiz Spreading the word on eco-friendly baby accessories for expecting mothers is actress Ana Ortiz of Ugly Betty. Appearing in a recent issue of US Weekly, Ortiz shared her choices in baby products used to decorate her nursery. On her list, organic bedding from Giggle and Ducduc furniture fashioned from sustainable wood. Honorable Mentions

• Hilary Duff – Has donated to Hurricane Katrina victims, became an ambassador for Return to Freedom (sanctuary for wild horses), and is active in USA Harvest, which collects and transports surplus food from restaurants and suppliers to missions and soup kitchens.
• Jay-Z and Beyonce – As founder of UN's Water for Life, Jay-Z participates in an organization that aims to provide clean drinking water to people worldwide. Much more than a pretty face and singer, Beyonce has worked with Second Harvest, which is part of a food-bank network.
• Josh Harnett – Active in Global Cool, Harnett participates in a charity that encourages billions of people to reduce their carbon footprints over the next 10 years.

Interesting Fact Tobey Maguire – Did you know that Spiderman has been a vegetarian for 14 years? An official ban has been placed in the Maguire household. If you come wearing leather products, you must leave your belts and shoes by the door. Image Credits: RecoJeans, ducduc