Mashu (low-impact vegan Handbags)

Mashu is a brand founded by a Greek fashion designer, with styles inspired by Mediterranean architecture and  the natural ripples and textures of rocks on untouched beaches. These are offered with free repairs for life, and sent via via carbon-neutral shipping.

Made in Greece by family firms, again this brand uses up waste fruit to make ‘apple leather’. Each metric of ‘handbag fabric’ uses up eight apples, which would otherwise rot on landfills or be thermally destroyed.

Donate unwanted handbags to small charity shops (that don’t test on animals). You can place damaged or frayed handbags in textile banks. The materials are shredded to make insulation and other industrial goods.

A new handbag is quite expensive, so take time to choose a style (and colour like black or brown) to suit, that will match your clothes and last for years (make use of end-of-lines and bargain sales, to save money). For daily life, a larger tote is good. For petite frames, smaller bags look better.

To clean vegan handbags, wipe marks with a damp cloth (to remove oil stains, apply a little baking soda to absorb). Remove ink or make-up stains with a cotton bud dipped in rubbing alcohol. Dry wet handbags in the shade (avoid direct sun or heat).