Sustainable fashion meets smart investment.
In the world of fashion, where trends come and go, the quest for ethical and sustainable choices can often feel like navigating a labyrinth. Yet, amidst this complexity, Immaculate Vegan shines as a beacon of both style and substance, demonstrating that fashion can indeed be both chic and kind.
Immaculate Vegan cofounders, Annick Ireland and Simon Bell
A Passion Transformed
The story of Immaculate Vegan began with a personal revelation.
In 2014, Annick Ireland, inspired by adopting a greyhound from the Retired Greyhound Trust, made a profound connection between the pets we cherish and all animals. This realisation sparked a journey that began with a shift to vegan food but soon extended into the realm of fashion—a realm that proved to be significantly more challenging. As Annick recalls,
“I became vegan in 2014 after adopting a greyhound and making the connection between our beloved pets and all animals. Switching to vegan food was easy, but finding stylish vegan fashion was much harder”
The founder’s search for vegan alternatives led to the discovery of a plethora of fashion-forward vegan brands, albeit ones that were hard to find. This frustration was the catalyst for creating Immaculate Vegan.
Annick left her career as a Chief Marketing Officer at a global events business to initially launch Immaculate Vegan as an Instagram blog, the platform aimed to curate and showcase high-quality vegan fashion, making it easier for others to find ethical and stylish alternatives. The success and demand for this curated selection naturally evolved into a full-fledged retail platform.
A Marketplace with a Mission
Today, Immaculate Vegan stands as a 100% vegan fashion and lifestyle marketplace. It offers a global audience access to ethical and sustainable fashion, ensuring that every product meets rigorous standards: vegan, sustainable, ethically produced, and packaged with care.
With over 5,000 products from 130+ brands across categories like shoes, bags, accessories, clothing, beauty, and homeware, the platform embodies the blend of beauty and responsibility.
Annick and her cofounder Simon's mission is clear,
“As one of the largest industries in the world, fashion is also one of the most harmful. Our mission is to provide a compelling alternative to fashion retail today: great style with strong purpose.”
As a vegan fashion startup, Immaculate Vegan are well placed to play a leading role in the growth of this disruptive sector. In their ‘The Rise of Vegan Fashion’ report (2021) The Vegan Society reported that the global vegan women’s fashion market is anticipated to reach USD 1,095.6 billion by 2027, a growth rate which at 13.6% is outpacing vegan food growth.
The Role of Angel Investors
The journey of Immaculate Vegan has been significantly bolstered by a diverse group of angel investors.
These impact investors have provided more than just financial support—they have offered invaluable insights, connections, and advice that have been instrumental in navigating the various stages of growth.
This highlights a key lesson for investors: beyond capital, offering mentorship and connections can significantly impact a start-up’s trajectory. As Annick reflects:
“A diverse group of angels brings not only capital but also strategic advice and network. They help us solve problems, explore new opportunities, and keep the bigger picture in view”
Immaculate Vegan’s CEO also underscores the importance of moving investment away from a simple financial transaction into understanding the people behind a business - steps which can be taken throughout due diligence and once an investment has been made.
“It’s essential to get to know the founders, their motivations, strengths, weaknesses, and how they handle challenges. This insight is crucial for assessing the potential for success.”
Voices of Validation
Immaculate Vegan has garnered praise from both customers and industry leaders. A particularly animated piece of feedback from a customer highlighted the brand’s impact:
“How amazing to finally find a decent ethically aware website where you can order high-quality items with a touch of class by all the best brands”
This sentiment is echoed by Sophie Cornish, co-founder of the renowned marketplace Not On The High Street, who lauded Immaculate Vegan’s rise in the competitive marketplace space.
“I’m a big fan of Immaculate Vegan. You’re clearly rising to the challenge beautifully.”
Looking Ahead
In their current investment round, Annick is clear - attracting diverse angel investors who are mission-driven and passionate about ethnical fashion and the brand's ethos is a priority.
The company’s future goals include expanding its US collections, enhancing its men’s fashion range, and growing its lifestyle categories. The founder notes,
“We are excited about this next phase and are eager to bring on investors who can contribute to our mission and growth”
Reflecting on her journey so far, Annick soaks up the lessons the experience is gifting her and is equally open with her lessons:
“Keep a flexible mindset. Running a start-up is a constantly evolving adventure. Don’t take things personally, aim for good rather than perfect, and enjoy the journey.”
The Power of Ethical Investment
Immaculate Vegan’s story illustrates the significant impact that thoughtful, engaged angel investors can have. By investing in purpose-driven ventures, investors not only contribute to positive change but also join in a journey of growth and innovation.
Interested in learning more about Immaculate Vegan?
Reach out directly to Annick to explore how her passion for ethical fashion is shaping the future of sustainable style. Whether you're a conscious consumer or an impact-driven investor, connect with Annick to discover the vision behind one of the most exciting vegan fashion marketplaces. You can contact Annick here.
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