At age 18, Vanita Badlani started university and en route to class, used to pass a butcher’s shop where animals were kept alive and caged before being killed in front of customers for their meat. It was a pretty transforming and life-changing event for her, and she became a vegetarian from that moment.
After finishing university, Vanita traveled to the US and started a career in banking, but she felt her career wasn’t giving her everything she wanted in life. We sat down with the now-successful fashion brand founder to discuss her journey.
You started in banking; how did you make the leap from that to starting a fashion and accessories brand?
Working in these fast-paced banking roles, I felt like I was giving too much of my life to my job. I also felt myself wanting more than the job I had. Something that piqued my interest was stylish, sustainable fashion. My designer bag for work couldn’t effectively hold my folders, laptop, and everything else I brought to work. So I could design my own, with sustainable interests at heart.
I took the leap after my daughter was born. It was my dream to start my own company, and I felt it was a good time to start living how I always wanted to. It was an incredibly nerve-wracking decision and very difficult initially, but I’m so glad I did it. I already knew a lot about the industry as my uncle worked in fashion. But I definitely did have to learn a lot independently and under immense pressure from bank loans and large orders. Luckily, I learn something new about the industry daily, keeping my job very exciting.
Do you design all the products yourself or have a design team?
It is a very collaborative process. I develop the initial plans for our collections, and my creative team and I then work together to flesh out each product. For our recent Iris Scott collection, for instance, we had to decide which parts of Scott’s paintings to use on the bag straps matching these colors carefully with the bag color. Working as a group has always been helpful for constantly improving our designs – we always have at least five people critiquing, changing, and working hard to ensure the design is as perfect as we want it!
Can you tell us a little about your plant-based/recycled materials?
For our Iris Scott collection, we used PVC-free microfibre leather. This vegan leather shares almost identical properties with genuine cowhide leather – just without the ethical issues. We also released a small line of sneakers made from apple leather. Apple leather is made from surplus, waste pulp, and core left over from the juicing industry. This benefits the environment as it recycles that waste while removing pressure and demand from the leather industry. Our LB Apple leather sneakers also have shoelaces made from recycled plastic bottles and soles from recycled tree gum.
Tell us about your charitable giving
We donate 10% of all our proceeds to charity. These are charities that align with LaBante’s ethos. For instance, we support animal protection charities such as PETA and Woodstock Farm Sanctuary. We have also donated in kind, sending gifts to different charity raffles in support. As a brand, we must continue to give back to our community in every way possible; I am very passionate about it.
What are your favorite products?
My favorite bag right now is the mini demi tote bag in black from the Iris Scott collection. It is based on our original bestselling Demi Tote bag, and I find that it fits all my essentials and is so chic. Our new Bella bags are also beautiful. I love the pink one; it’s versatile for occasion wear and generally on the go!
For our New York City readership, can they shop anywhere in the US?
Yes! You can always find us at www.labante.com, and we have our warehouse in North Carolina, where the goods are delivered to the customers within 3-4 business days.
