(This article first appeared in the June 28, 2017 issue of The Independent Newspaper)
Recently featuring some faux fur coats at Southampton Animal Shelter’s Catwalk for Canines, Anna Tagliabue is the future of fashion. Launched in February of 2014, Pelush NYC is a PETA-approved vegan, 100-percent cruelty free line of faux fur designs.
“I wanted to give the best possible alternative to real fur, to reposition and transform the way people think about [it],” Tagliabue said. “There is nothing that is really truly luxury faux fur.”
Milan native Tagliabue is seasoned in the industry after eight years at Fendi in sales and then 13 years at Prada on Madison Avenue as a personal shopper. Upon entrance into the luxury style industry she envisioned a world of ethically produced and wearable lines.
“It’s something that was implanted in me while I was working at Fendi,” she explained. Back then no such profound technology existed, but times have changed. The sheen, luster, softness, and appearance of animal-free textiles has become so advanced that it’s increasingly difficult to note a difference. “It’s amazing what we can reproduce now.”
Diamonds, fast cars, big houses, and expensive leather or fur coats come to mind when the word “luxury” is considered. But all of these things come at a price much higher than the tag listed: the exploitation of communities and countries that produce these products. Yet, because the product is deemed exclusive or high-end, society turns a blind eye.
“Luxury is pain, so why not feel luxurious while representing the good? The integrity of the brand is very important,” Tagliabue proclaimed.
Pelush is much more than a faux fur line, it’s the new definition of luxury and arguably the best-kept secret in Manhattan (until now).
“I try to give the best possible answer to real fur, by creating a product that is extremely luxurious, extremely glamorous, one of a kind.” Her goal is to recreate an emotion, answering the question “What does a woman feel in real fur?”
Each style is dedicated to the people, or pets, closest to her, many of which are inspired by the women of her family growing up in Milan and Portofino.
My look at the Catwalk for Canines was the Lilly coat, named after her recently deceased cat. With each unique name and design, every individual piece represents a part of Tagliabue.
She has high hopes for the future. She dreams of creating a foundation to help endangered animals. Through education and awareness, actively on the social media accounts, Pelush is a brand of forward thinking and education.
Join in the #ReFAUXlution, or learn about cruelty-free fashion, by visiting Pelush.com.