Natalie Portman's line of vegan footwear debuted in January of this year, but the spring line was recently released, and this Harvard graduate has designed sexy and fun styles to wear to work, to play, or to a big night out. According to a 2002 Time/CNN Harris Interactive Survey, about four percent of the population claims to be vegetarian, and only two percent vegan, and out of those about eight percent are college students, 24% of college students said they were interested in finding vegan options on campus (in a Aramark survey on campus food options, but still, a healthy, sustainable lifestyle reaches all facets including shoes).

After noticing a gap in the market of vegan footwear, Portman chose to collaborate with Te Casan, a luxury brand that specializes in guest designed footwear in limited editions, with each individual shoe branded with the number shoe in each edition. All Portman's proceeds are given to various non-profit organizations for environmental preservation and animal rights, according to the Te Casan website.

I must say, that as a fellow vegetarian and questioning vegan, I appreciate Portman's offerings, and while they are certainly not affordable to all college students, (at around $250 a pop) they are chic and elegant, which is hard to in the vegan market (see MooShoes.com, soo not sexy).

For Spring, the Plath (which she wears in black in New York in April) is also available in Purple, Black, and Pink. Pair it with a high-waisted skirt, leotard, and sweater for a summer internship or interview or a little black dress for cocktails on the weekend with friends. Either way the heel offers a fun punch not usually available in vegan and sustainable footwear. The Paine ($255), pictured above to the left, is the perfect vegan-alternative to this spring's huge trend of the gladiator sandal, and Pia ($225) also pictured above to the right, is available in gold, silver, red, purple, pink, black, and grey satin. The ballet flat ruled the Chanel runway in Spring, so it's nice to know that there are more affordable (and vegan!) options in the world of high fashion.

View the collection here.