Vegan handbags are made from sustainable alternatives to real leather, which is often made in countries with poor animal (and human) welfare, and causes pollution due due to the tanning process. Vegan leather is also easy to wipe-clean.
It takes 17,000 litres of fresh water to make 1kg of leather. 80% of leather is tanned with chrome that is toxic to tannery workers, plus animals suffer (20% of the Amazon rainforest is already gone, with cattle ranching the main cause). Cattle farming is by far the biggest contributor to CO2 emissions in livestock farming, causing 60% of all emissions, and over 65% of leather is from cows.
Vegan handbags are made from sustainable alternatives to real leather, which is often made in countries with poor animal (and human) welfare, and causes pollution due due to the tanning process. Vegan leather is also easy to wipe-clean.
Miomojo is an award-winning vegan handbag range, founded by a fashion professional who used her experience to create something wonderful using fruit and other plant leathers. Sent in sustainable packaging, you’ll also find bags made with apple, pineapple and even mycelium leather (mushroom leather!) Made ethically in audited factories, the styles are varied with different colours.
Apple leather is one of the new so-called ‘fruit leathers’ that combines Microfiber with apple waste from the Italian fruit industry. It’s not totally biodegradable yet, but getting there!
Far better than real leather, which is usually polluting to make, and from animals used in the Far East leather trade, where there are few animal welfare laws. Invest in one or two of these bags, to last you years. Look out for regular sale bargains. The company also make matching camera bags.
Most materials are sourced within 300km of headquarters, and the company gives 10% of the sale price to animal welfare causes worldwide with each purchase (and also donates 10% off from their offline business).
It also uses profits to help independent animal sanctuaries, including one in Rome (founded by a former farmer who underwent a ‘transformation’ to animal rescuer!) He used to sell lambs and after hearing their cries, he bought them back for double the price, and now saves lambs from Easter lunch, to live out their lives in peace. Bravo Massimo!
These bags need to be carefully cared for, due to featuring high amounts of bio-content. Store in the included dust bags away from direct sunlight, heat and keep well ventilation, and stuff with clean paper when not in use. You can use a damp cloth to carefully clean the linings and then leave to air dry, removing stains with a damp cloth and mild soap and water. Avoid grease, solvents or strong grease.
It takes 17,000 litres of fresh water to make 1kg of leather. 80% of leather is tanned with chrome that is toxic to tannery workers, plus animals suffer (20% of the Amazon rainforest is already gone, with cattle ranching the main cause). Cattle farming is by far the biggest contributor to CO2 emissions in livestock farming, causing 60% of all emissions, and over 65% of leather is from cows.
A Set of Matching Vegan Handbags
The Morphbag is an innovative vegan handbag range in a wide array of colours. The large totes have wide straps to avoid digging into shoulders. The Cross Body bag is ideal for shopping trips or when you need to be hands-free, and has adjustable straps to wear as a shoulder bag.
The outside zip offers quick easy access to contents inside. The clutch bag is ideal, when all you need are the essentials (a secure inside zip holds bank cards. Remain hands-free to shake hands, but still hold your champagne glass!
Founder Giovanna is an award-winning Italian luxury handbag designer and interior designer raised in the fashion industry and based in London, who previously had a successful international business career.
Inspired by her own multi-tasking, she is a working mother who still wished to be stylish. A season-less bag of three colour-co-ordinated timeless handbags to make a capsule wardrobe set to last. The reversible tote, cross-body shoulder bag and clutch/wallet are carefully selected to work with the main colour groups of a capsule wardrobe: black, brown and navy. Each one has detailing in dual colours to work across the seasons.
They use luxury vegan polyurethene leather that is coated and textured for the same pebble grain and the linings of the cross body bags are made from recycled water bottles. They use recycled PU leather.
The boxes are made from compostable fsc-wood or cardboard with water-based inks and natural glue, and are sold in fair trade cotton drawstring bags with the brand logo. Trees are also planted in the Amazon rainforest (responsible for 6% of the world’s oxygen) for the bags sold.
Eco Vegan Bags (that help coral reefs)
Veganologie is a unique accessories brand. Not only are all these durable bags made from vegan leathers (often made from recycled materials). But for the sale of 10 bags, the company donates to an organisation that plants mangroves, to help restore endangered coral reefs.
So far, the company has contributed to planting over 100 mangrove trees in the United Arab Emirates, which helps to stop coastal erosion from storms and tides.
Many of the bags also use apple leather, made from the waste of the Italian apple industry. Leather is not a by-product of meat, so choosing these bags is also kind to animals.
The bags also feature individual design touches. Like half-zipped pouches (lined with recycled plastic bottles) and bags to easily hold all your essentials like wallets, card holders, phones and tablets.
Some are designed to carry as wristlets, to keep hands free. In stunning colours and designs, you’re sure to find something you like, or to give as a beautiful gift.
Handbags Made from Recycled Firehose
Elvis & Kresse creates beautifully crafted luggage and accessories like overnight bags, washbags and belts, all made from decommissioned fire hose that is salvaged from the British Fire Brigade. We only recommend their recycled fire hose bags (not those from recycled leather, as buying used leather still creates a market).
In red or yellow, the company offers a repair-for-life on the entire collection and 50% of profits are given The Fire Fighters Charity, which offers support to serving and retired firefighters with everything from physical and mental health issues, to nursing support for injuries. Its dedicated centre in Cumbria helps firefighters and their families also with illness, from strokes and MS to motor neurone disease.
There isn’t a more heroic job than a firefighter, is there? In 2020, London Fire Brigade also rescued over 300 cats and birds, 73 dogs, 61 foxes, 17 horses, 17 deer and 7 squirrels. They also put out wildfires and fires caused by fire lanterns. Read more on tips to prevent fires (and help firefighters).
Caring for Your Vegan Handbag
A damp cloth is often sufficient for cleaning, while cork can benefit from occasional oiling to maintain its sheen. Store your handbags in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Using dust bags can also protect your accessories from scratches and dust build-up.
If your handbag starts showing signs of wear, consider whether it can be repaired. Many vegan materials are resilient and can be rejuvenated with a little TLC. If needed, consult a professional for repairs rather than discarding it. This not only saves money but also aligns with sustainable practices.