Leanne Mai-ly Hilgart is a fashion entrepreneur and pioneer of the vegan apparel movement. She is known for founding VAUTE, a company that has been praised as a "vegan fashion empire" and "one of the most innovative businesses in NYC." CNN has called her "the Next Stella McCartney, the Rebel of fashion week," while U.S. News & World Report has dubbed her a "compassionate designer paving the way for future fashion." Hilgart is a driven businesswoman who has succeeded without outside investors or a background in fashion. She graduated from Depaul University with degrees in Psychology, Elementary Education, Education, and Philosophy, as well as a Master's in Business Administration in Management and Entrepreneurship. Previous to founding her company, she worked as a model for Calcarries Models Hong Kong and Ford Models, Inc. At VAUTE, Hilgart serves as the President and Creative Director, overseeing a rising label that has been featured in publications such as Vogue, Nylon, and Oprah Magazine. VAUTE is particularly known for creating stylish clothing that is free of animal products, earning it distinctions like "the best wool-free brand" by Vogue UK. Through her work at VAUTE and beyond, Hilgart is inspiring others to explore the intersection of fashion and compassion, and to create a life that does good and feels good at once.