Written by Menswear Style in News on the 7th December 2016

As compassion, sustainability, and innovation continue to shape today's fashion industry, the PETA Menswear Fashion Awards celebrate the brands and designers that have made outstanding animal-friendly achievements this year. Brave GentleMan won Menswear Brand of the Year for its cruelty-free collections, which fuse craftsmanship with sustainable materials. Its designs – worn by Benedict Cumberbatch – featured on the cover of GQ magazine’s November issue. Stella McCartney starred in the Biggest Luxury Fashion Moment for the launch of her menswear collection, which continues her commitment to animal-friendly and sustainable luxury, while Vans x DSM Checkerboard won Best Collaboration for its collection of vegan skate-style shoes. The Vegan Icon Award went to Dr Martens' Vegan 1460 boot – a classic style now available in tough vegan leather.

"The winners have proved that compassion is the new word in menswear, as demand soars for innovative animal-free designs", says PETA Director Elisa Allen. "Forward-thinking designers are experimenting with sustainable, cutting-edge vegan materials and offering a vast array of cruelty-free choices – from high street to high-end."

Several other innovative brands are among the winners: Matt & Nat won Best Leather-Free Bags and Wallets for its stylish and eco-friendly collection, Rombaut won Best Cruelty-Free Shoes for its progressive unisex footwear line, Opificio V won Best Cruelty-Free Formal Shoes for its fine Italian designs, Wills won Best Leather-Free Belts for its microfibre offerings, Votch won Best Vegan Watches for its high-quality vegan leather straps, Save the Duck won Best Down-Free Coats for its warm outerwear made from cutting-edge Plumtech technology, James Payne won Best Vegan Leather Jackets for its classic biker styles made in the US, Bleed won Best Wool-Free Knitwear for its soft jumpers in organic cottons and linens, and Flocus won the Innovation Award for developing kapok, a down alternative made from natural seed fibre.

The Biggest Fashion Moment occurred when major British brands – including Topman, Burton, Nigel Hall Menswear, Dr Martens, White Stuff, and Primark – committed to banning down feathers from their collections, following PETA's exposé of the cruel down industry.

A celebration of animal friendly men's fashion, PETA Announce Menswear Awards Winners for 2016.