PETA may be contentious, but receiving the animal-rights organization’s blessing is something of a gold standard: if PETA – that’s People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, for anyone not familiar with the acronym – gives a brand the nod, you can basically guarantee that its products and its practices meet a standard just about as stringent as they come. But a place in PETA’s end-of-year awards? That’s next level.

And, now, Natural Fiber Welding – the plant-based textiles company responsible for the high-performance CLARUS® and the high-end MIRUM® – can count that accolade amongst a still-growing list of achievements through 2022. Previously scooped in 2021 by a little-known brand named Gucci, NFW has collected PETA’s coveted Fashion Innovation Award in a list that also includes nods to Balenciaga (for its mycelium wrap coat), Burberry (for its ban on “exotic” skins), and Copenhagen Fashion Week (for its ban on fur).

Not everyone can be a winner, though, and the list also names H&M as PETA’s fashion industry “Villain of the Year” – an honor, very much earned and bestowed in-part thanks to severe flip-flopping: namely a decision by the Swedish semi-fast fashion brand to walk back on its well-received promise of ending the sale of mohair and cashmere.

Still, let’s not linger on the negative: 2022’s crop of awardees leave us with plenty to celebrate. In terms of footwear, the plant-based sneaker brand LØCI took home the Best Vegan Sneaker award for its ocean plastic offering made in Portugal, while Nanushka’s OKOBOR™ leather alternative won the accolade of Best Vegan Material.

If you’re interested in what, exactly, Natural Fiber Welding does – and why that so thoroughly deserves this kind of recognition – you can hear it straight from the source on the recent episode of our Progress Over Perfection podcast with the company’s CEO and founder.