Beyond Skin
Rated: Great
Price: $$$
Location: UK
Quick verdict
Beyond Skin was a pioneering UK vegan luxury shoe brand that operated from 2001–2022, making it one of the earliest players in ethical vegan footwear. Best known for vintage-inspired silhouettes, celebrity endorsements (Natalie Portman wore them to the Oscars), and innovative use of Dinamica® recycled faux suede. The brand permanently closed in 2022 and is now only available secondhand. While its ethical credentials were strong (PETA-approved, handmade in Spain), the core faux leather material remained petroleum-based synthetic.
Key info
- Headquarters
- Hove (Brighton), England, UK
- Founded
- 2001
- Product categories
- Shoes, Vegan
- Price range
- $$$
- Key certifications
- PETA-Approved Vegan
Beyond Skin sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
High-quality Italian faux leathers; pioneered Dinamica® (recycled PET faux suede cutting carbon by 60%). 100% recycled PU linings. No PVC. Primary uppers were still petroleum-based synthetics.
All shoes handmade in Spain (Alicante) under EU labour regulations. Regular factory visits and strict guidelines. No third-party labour audits or certifications cited.
Recycled materials, no PVC, recycled packaging, samples donated to charity. Never published carbon footprint data. Core faux leather (polyurethane) is still plastic-derived.
Open about values and manufacturing in interviews. No formal sustainability reports, no supply chain mapping, no third-party audits. Conversational rather than systematic transparency.
£99–£270+ positioned as luxury vegan footwear. Trustpilot reviews (1.9/5) revealed shoes falling apart within one season, problematic at this price point.
What they do well
- True pioneer. Founded in 2001, among the very first luxury vegan footwear companies globally, when "vegan fashion" barely existed.
- PETA-Approved and multi-award winning. Won Drapers Award, Grazia Ethical Fashion Entrepreneur Award, RSPCA Fashion Innovation Award, Observer Ethical Award, and Sustainable Fashion Award (2014).
- Material innovation with Dinamica®. First footwear brand to use recycled PET faux suede (100% recycled bottles, 60% carbon reduction vs. petroleum polyester).
- Celebrity cultural impact. Natalie Portman wore Beyond Skin to the Oscars and Golden Globes; Anne Hathaway and Miley Cyrus were also fans.
Room for improvement
- Lack of third-party verification. No B Corp, Fair Trade, GOTS, or published sustainability reports. Ethical claims relied entirely on self-reporting.
- Core faux leather (polyurethane) remained petroleum-based synthetic, limiting the brand's environmental credentials despite other material innovations.
About Beyond Skin
Beyond Skin was founded in 2001 in Brighton, England, by Natalie Dean, a makeup artist who went vegan after watching a documentary about the dairy industry. Unable to find stylish vegan shoes, she started producing handmade-to-order pairs in a small East London factory. Production relocated to Spain in 2008.
Key materials included Italian breathable faux leathers, Dinamica® recycled faux suede (100% recycled PET by Italian manufacturer Miko), and 100% recycled PU linings with vegetable polymer coatings. The brand explicitly avoided PVC. The aesthetic was "vintage-inspired with a contemporary twist," featuring feminine, opulent prints, bold colours and metallics. Products covered court shoes, heels, boots, flats, loafers, sandals, and mules.
Prices ranged from approximately £99 for flats to £270+ for boots. All packaging was recycled or recyclable. The brand closed in 2022 after 21 years, likely reflecting the scaling, cash flow, and competition challenges many small independent fashion brands face.
Product highlights
Venus Vegan Pump
Classic black stiletto with vegan suede detail
~£150–£175 (was)
Signature Beyond Skin style proving vegan footwear could be runway-worthy
Horse Vegan Loafer
Faux suede slipper with horse head embroidery
~£99–£115 (was)
5% of profits donated directly to PETA
Medusa B Boots
Knee-high boots in Dinamica® recycled faux suede
~£230–£270 (was)
Showcased statement vegan winter footwear
Jade Slingback
Versatile transitional shoe praised for comfort
~£120–£150 (was)
Appealed beyond the vegan market as everyday workwear
