Vaute Couture

What it is Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart’s debut collection of vegan coats. As for the name, it’s a combination of vegan and haute couture, and the fact that it sounds like vote doesn’t hurt either. “I think that businesses can change the world,” Hilgart says. “[As a consumer], whatever you purchase, you’re basically voting for it with money and your time.”

Who she is For as long as she can remember, the 27-year-old native of west suburban Darien has had a penchant for activism and animal rights, going vegetarian at the age of ten after studying factory farming for her fifth-grade science project. “I would make puffy paint shirts [to wear] to school that said, “Spay and neuter. Save the dogs,” she laughs. Fast-forward to 2008, and Hilgart spent the summer between her first and second years in DePaul’s business school modeling in Hong Kong (she was discovered by Ford Models during college). While there, after tinkering with various business ideas, she settled on the one that struck a personal chord: vegan coats. Pushed by the crunch of the fashion schedule, she dropped out of business school and hit the ground running researching and developing ecofriendly fabric and everything she’d need to know to start up a clothing business. She put out a call to artists to submit illustrated interpretations of three specific types of coats, selected 20 finalists with help from a panel of judges (including Design Sponge editor Grace Bonney and Matt & Nat creative director Inder Bedi) and, with input from thousands of voters on her website, chose three winning designs. After adding two additional styles and organizing a group of employees, Hilgart eventually released the first line of coats for winter 2009/10.

What she makes Given her lack of technical know-how when it comes to design, Hilgart uses techniques like sketching and hand gestures to translate her vision, not to mention constant back and forth with her design team. “I love the overlay of voices and collaboration toward one communal mission,” she says. The first collection includes four ready-to-wear styles, from a dress-inspired peacoat to a kimono-style bomber (a.k.a. the bimono), plus one couture look. The limited-edition runs come in two fully recyclable, plastic-based new technology fabrics by Polartec with wind-resistant liners. This spring, look for windbreaker dresses and one-of-a-kind hand-painted jersey dresses.

Why we like them Not only are the prices relatively affordable (ranging between $298 and $581) and the coats supersoft, warm and machine-washable, but the designer stays true to her commitment to animals and the environment. For instance, net profits from the signature Vaute coat benefit Farm Sanctuary, an animal-protection organization.

Where to find them While she sells at eight boutiques across the country, Chicago shoppers can only find her looks online at vautecouture.com. Next fall, look for Hilgart’s storefront in the Green Exchange building (2545 W Diversey Ave).

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