Miomojo Handbags (made from wasted apples and olives!)

Miomojo is an award-winning vegan handbag range, founded by a fashion professional. Sent in sustainable packaging, these vegan leathers also include waste from the apple and olive industry, in north Italy. Most materials are sourced within 300km of the company’s base, to reduce ‘handbag miles’.

Made in audited factories, this brand donates 10% of the sale price of each bag to animal welfare causes worldwide (including helping moon bears in Asia).

It also uses profits to help small independent animal sanctuaries, including one in Rome (founded by a former farmer who ‘transfarmed‘ to rescue lambs instead of selling them). After having a change of heart, he bought them back from the factory for double the price, to live out their lives in peace. Bravo Massimo!

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).