Highfashion for animal love – Daniela Brunner from “Giulia+Romeo” in interview
We encounter animal products in many parts of our everyday lives. We all know by now that vegan living is not just about nutrition. However, many fashion-conscious people are not aware of the conditions under which leather, fur, wool and co. are produced. But fortunately, there are enough animal-free alternatives.
We have the vegan sneaker pioneer Daniela Brunner from “Giulia & Romeo” and asked her how vegan sneakers are made.
She has been active in the fashion world since 1996 and describes herself as a “fashion victim”. With her products, the Munich-based company wants to draw attention to the fact that vegan fashion can easily keep up with current trends. She explains to us in an interview what you should look out for.
How did you come up with the idea to design vegan sneakers?
Daniela Brunner: I went vegan because I love animals so much.
If you took the step out of deep conviction, then you can no longer buy products made of leather. Wear shoes and bags on the body made from the skin of animals. Unimaginable what suffering is in it.
But since I have always been a fashion victim and love shoes and bags, it was quite clear to me that I must become active here myself. Especially since the market still offers far too little. Especially when it comes to high-end products.
I started with sneakers because they are worn the most and are a daily companion. I also wanted to create my own sneaker, as I've always found it difficult to find ones that I really like. But it will be followed by all other types of shoes from September 2019. High heels, pumps, cowboy boots, over knees etc….
Can you briefly enlighten us on what animal ingredients are used for in shoes?
Daniela Brunner: There are few truly animal-free shoes on the market.
Many people always want to excuse themselves with the argument that leather is a waste product of the meat industry. That's it on the one hand, yes. But all the slaughtered animals did not die voluntarily and some of them were chopped into individual pieces while fully conscious. There is so much suffering in the meat industry…. In many countries, cows are skinned alive because their skin is “needed” for the leather industry. Not only cows, calves and goats. Also dogs and cats.
That scares most people. But makes no difference. Dog and cat leather is not declared as such, otherwise many people would not buy it.
The glue is also not vegan.
Casein, the main component of milk, is contained in it, as well as glutin, a substance produced when meat is cooked. Just as in many rubber soles.
What materials do you use instead of animal products and how robust are they?
Daniela Brunner: In the first step, I used pure synthetic leather from Italy for the upper. The insole is made of a special anti-transpirant material.
The shoes are super soft and ultra-light and indistinguishable from genuine leather shoes.
All upcoming production of all new models will be made in pineapple leather.
A perfect leather substitute. Very high quality. In the summer, many shoes will also be cool denim. Robust they all are. They don't fall apart when you look at them. (laughs)
If you had to describe your sneakers in one word - what would it be?
Daniela Brunner: Super cool! (laughs)
GIULIA + ROMEO - how did the name come about?
Daniela Brunner: During my pregnancy two years ago with baby Romeo in my belly (laughs).
Giulia offers herself to Romeo. And to make it a little more interesting, I just switched the names around.
Where and how do you have the shoes made?
Daniela Brunner: The sneakers were all made in Portugal.
But I have now moved everything to Italy, because there I am closer to the good materials and have found the perfect production partner for pure vegan production.
Many major designers are gradually abandoning at least fur. How do you see the general development in the fashion industry in terms of awareness of materials of animal origin?
Daniela Brunner: Thank God! Unfortunately, most companies only do this because the pressure from outside is too high and not out of love for the animals.
With leather it will also come. I am quite sure of that.
Even if it will still take some time. Step by Step.
With wool, down and silk, but also still with leather, would simply have to be much more enlightened. Most customers are not aware of the extreme suffering behind it!
Do you also make sure that you only wear vegan clothes?
Daniela Brunner: Yes, but of course!
I still wear the parts I have in my closet that are not vegan. But I would never re-purchase a non-vegan item again. Neither for me nor for my family.
How will it continue with "GIULIA & ROMEO" and which collections are planned?
Daniela Brunner: I am currently working on an extensive fashion collection with many beautiful bags and shoes.
In September everything will be presented at a fashion show and at the same time the first pop up store of Giulia + Romeo will be opened in a prominent location in Munich.
All parts are then available in the store and online.
My goal is to open a store in each of the world's largest cities.
Because since the entire proceeds of all sales are donated to the animals, as many people as possible should shop at Giulia + Romeo.
Fashion designer Daniela Brunner lives vegan herself and sees it as her passion to distribute vegan fashion.
The models are mostly handmade in a small manufactory in Portugal, which also produces for Balmain, Chloé, Isabel Marant and Stella McCartney, among others.
Read more: www.giuliaandromeo.com
Frequently Asked
FAQ - What readers ask
How did you come up with the idea to design vegan sneakers?
Daniela Brunner: I went vegan because I love animals so much. If you took the step out of deep conviction, then you can no longer buy products made of leather. Wear shoes and bags on the body made from the skin of animals. Unimaginable what suffering is in it. But since I have always been a fashion victim and love shoes and bags, it was quite clear to me that I must become active here myself.
Can you briefly enlighten us on what animal ingredients are used for in shoes?
Daniela Brunner: There are few truly animal-free shoes on the market. Many people always want to excuse themselves with the argument that leather is a waste product of the meat industry. That's it on the one hand, yes. But all the slaughtered animals did not die voluntarily and some of them were chopped into individual pieces while fully conscious.
What materials do you use instead of animal products and how robust are they?
Daniela Brunner: In the first step, I used pure synthetic leather from Italy for the upper. The insole is made of a special anti-transpirant material. The shoes are super soft and ultra-light and indistinguishable from genuine leather shoes. All upcoming production of all new models will be made in pineapple leather. A perfect leather substitute. Very high quality.
If you had to describe your sneakers in one word - what would it be?
Daniela Brunner: Super cool! (laughs)
GIULIA + ROMEO - how did the name come about?
Daniela Brunner: During my pregnancy two years ago with baby Romeo in my belly (laughs). Giulia offers herself to Romeo. And to make it a little more interesting, I just switched the names around.
Where and how do you have the shoes made?
Daniela Brunner: The sneakers were all made in Portugal. But I have now moved everything to Italy, because there I am closer to the good materials and have found the perfect production partner for pure vegan production.
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