Chloé Jo Berman is practically an institution in the vegan fashion world. In addition to her animal rights activism, the Girlie Girl Army founder is quickly becoming a meatless media maven. Hailing from New York City, she is a popular online personality, radio host, and television guest with strong convictions and an eye for style.

CJB made some time to chat with us recently and shared her thoughts on everything from vegan shopping to cycling Williamsburg “skinnyrexics.”

Can you tell us a little about Girlie Girl Army and what inspired you to create it?

GirlieGirl Army is “A Glamazon’s Guide to the Green Life.” It’s for fabulous girls (and guys) who care about being kind to Mama Earth and all her critters, too.

When I founded this site many years ago, there were few resources for people who wanted to live ethically AND fabulously. I knew hemp wasn’t my bag (unless it was on a Stella McCartney clutch), and I wanted to provide resources for other ladies of glamour who wanted tips on ethical (and animal-free) style, random bits of funny nonsense, and living tips — from what vitamins are best for your body type to DIY’ing your own cleaning products.

What advice do you have for someone who wants to start shopping more consciously but doesn’t live in a fashion capital like New York? Any recommendations as far as online shopping sites and/or timeless trends?

Of course — and my site is full of them!  I really pride myself on offering tips and options for ladies of any budget. For the working ladies, I’d say buy your basics from Nimli.com or KaightShop.com. [ed: For readers who don't share Chloé's commitment to an "animal free" lifestyle, both sites also sell leather goods, woolens, and other non-vegan goodies.]

It’s worth spending the extra cash on solid, well made, and ethically sourced and made basics. Then watch the big eco-fashion sites and catch items on sale!  If you have to buy a silly sundress from H&M, I won’t rap your fingers. I’m not perfect either and fall prey to the occasional cheap, slutty dress.

Okay, obligatory shoes and accessories question! Any favorites?

Shoes: I’m an Olsen Haus devotee. I rarely wear anything but. They are uber-stylish, totally eco-friendly, and vegan (so no animals have to die for me to look gorgina!). I also really like Charmone, Beyond Skin, and Stella McCartney shoes… but for the most part I’m rarely seen without my Olsen Haus!

For bags, I heart me some Matt & Nat, but I also rock some Crystalyn Kae and Vegan Queen.

What’s the worst warm weather trend you’ve noticed in NYC so far this year?

I’d like to say the jumpsuit thing, only because it doesn’t suit my bootylicious bod… But the truth is it does look adorable on the skinnyrexics popping about Williamsburg on their bicycles. So I guess I’d have to go with espadrilles. I’m pretty over them, unless they are done in a new way.

As a staunch vegetarian and environmentalist, have you found one or the other commitment more difficult to stick with?

Not really. It used to be hard in terms of PVC with shoes and bags, but that has changed so very much. All the vegan designers I know and sport exclusively have quite serious commitments to the environment.

One point we’ve been seeing around the vegan blogosphere a lot lately is that as faux fur gets more realistic looking, wearing it only increases the demand for genuine fur. The same would go for “pleather,” we suppose. What do you think about this?

I think as long as you are vocal about what you are wearing (e.g “Don’t you love my new stiletto’s?  They are TOTALLY green and vegan!”), it’s fine. I’m not a big fan of faux fur outside the house, especially if it’s realistic looking.

Any guilty pleasures in your wardrobe? Way too many shoes, or a favorite non-vegetarian accessory you’ve decided to hang on to?

I suppose my guilty pleasures are my sexy dresses. They’re all vegan at this stage, but some are not entirely green. That’s been a big issue for me. Although I adore so many of the green designers, very few offer the structured, super sexy, revealing dresses that I’m so found of.  But I believe it’s coming. I also believe I can fly, so hey… who knows.

Now that everyone is more concerned about value, are there any affordable vegan labels out there that you would recommend?

They are all over the place. Even Target is carrying organic options by Loomstate! Payless also just launched a new vegan and eco-friendly line of shoes. I’d just stay abreast of sales and join as many eco-fashion mailing lists as you can.

Any under-the-radar vegan designers our readers might like to know about?

I just found out about this adorable eco, vegan line out of Canada called Elroy who I have a serious crush on.

So Glamazon is a term you’d use to describe yourself?

Hell to the yea! I’m like a drag queen, I just adore getting done up. I enjoy the process. And I enjoy the way I feel when I’m “did up” as much as the way I feel when I’m gettin’ undid. (Wink!)