Delikate Rayne is a luxurious, cruelty-free women's contemporary line that is shaking up the eco and vegan fashion scene. All of Delikate Rayne's pieces are ethically made in LA and are 100 percent animal friendly. The leather used is also sustainable. The company was co-founded by sisters Meg and Komie who are lifelong vegetarians and who transitioned into veganism.
Meg and Komie by Mariana Barreto
You are lifelong vegetarians- so at what age did you find out how others lived and ate?
MV: Since we were raised vegetarian we weren't really consciously aware that there were other types of diets per say right off the bat. It wasn't until we were in elementary school- that's where we started seeing what the other kids would be eating or buying for lunch from the cafeteria. Then it kind of hit us- we were like wait, what's going on? When we would have pizza or tacos or special food days at school our mom would write us notes to give our teachers to make sure we weren't given a slice of pizza with pepperoni on it or given beef to sprinkle in our tacos.
How did you find the process of transitioning into veganism after being vegetarian for so long?
KV: It's interesting because I didn't realize I was already consuming a 90% vegan diet without even intentionally becoming vegan. For instance, I had already made the switch over to almond and soy milk and was using a flaxseed spread as opposed to butter. The most difficult thing for me was giving up cheese. This was because so many of my favourite foods consisted of cheese....enchiladas, pizza, pasta, nachos, etc. Fortunately, there are so many great cheese alternatives on the market now which allows me to still indulge in my favs guilt-free.
How did the idea for Delikate Rayne come about?
KV: Meg and I were both working different jobs at the time, and I think it truly just stemmed from wanting something bigger and better than what we were currently doing. We knew we wanted a clothing line, but something with a purpose. Fashion is one of the most fast paced industries in the world, we didn't want to be just another line. We wanted to provide more depth and substance to what we would be offering.
Please tell us a bit about Delikate Rayne now.
MV: Delikate Rayne is a women's luxurious, contemporary label that constructs all pieces out of animal-friendly textiles. We are creating green luxury- definitive and progressive designs with a purpose into existence. We are using Delikate Rayne as a platform to change stereotypes. Especially paying close attention to the way harmless fashion is perceived and received. We want to bring more of an overall awareness to how cruelty-free clothing is actually helping save the environment in the long-run. To highlight how compassion and sustainability is actually cool- something that should be coveted. We like to refer to DR as the Triple E factor-ethical, edgy, and everlasting.
How do you ensure the clothes are all ethically made and animal friendly?
MV: By manufacturing everything locally here for us in LA allows us to ensure that our pieces are being made ethically. We are super hands on with the manufacturing process- that's really important to us. To be able to go into the factory at any given time and see the working environment and conditions. When sourcing fabrics we work with vendors who we have researched and done our diligence with. So we know that the materials and fabrications we are utilizing from them are 100% cruelty-free.
Your company won the 2015 Vegan of the Year Award for "Outstanding Vegan Creative" so how did that make you feel?
MV: It was completely unexpected which made it that much better. When you are rewarded and acknowledged for something that is helping an overall bigger initiative to make a positive impact and hopefully in turn make a change it makes the recognition so much more worth it.
KV- This is a really tough industry so it feels good to be recognized for your efforts. You know sometimes you have your days where you're like no one cares or why am I doing this and then something like this happens and you're like okay someone does care! Just inspires you to continue moving forward.
Why shouldn't veganism be just about what you eat but what you wear too?
KV: It's a lifestyle. A vast amount of people don't make the connection that harming an animal is related to other areas in your life such as your wardrobe. Consumers need to be more educated on what they are purchasing. What I mean by that is, they need to fully understand the process that it entails to produce that final product. Animals are equally as tortured for products as much as they are for meat. These animals are treated brutally for their skin, or tusks etc. We don't need them in order to have a better purse, skirt, shoes or whatever....one billion rabbits alone are killed each year for their fur. Why is this so necessary?
What are your favourite pieces from the current collection?
MV: The silky satin trim shorts because you can literally wear them out at night then to sleep, plus wake up in them and then repeat. They are the quintessential piece for transitioning flawlessly from day to night. I love to dress up and dress down the leather frontal zipper skirt. It's the ideal go-to for so many situations- perfect versatility.
KV: The scoop back tank. It's one of those pieces that just works with everything. You can dress it up or down and it does the job.
Why do you believe 'style isn't worn it's embodied'? -
MV: It's all about that je nais se quoi...embracing that inner confidence and nonchalant cool that we each ooze but utilize in different ways. It's something that can't be taught or forced. It comes from within.
KV: When you wear something you make it your own. You got to own it. You can be in a room full of women who are all wearing the same exact outfit as you, but it's how you rock it that makes you stand apart from the rest.
What is next for you?
MV: An exciting transition into jackets and smart cruelty-free suede that is also sustainable which will make you wonder why the original was even an option.
KV: Continuing to be a voice for the voiceless. We will be releasing jackets soon...oh and snapbacks!
Tagged in Vegetarian Vegan