Sustainable fashion is all about making conscientious and mindful decisions when it comes to shopping. While investing in the right handbags is crucial for any fashionista, we want one that lasts and is eco-friendly all together.
Of course, the market is saturated with tons of sustainable bag brands, but not all of them are created equal. It's always important to check out how materials are sourced, how each piece is manufactured and the ethos that drives the label. In light of Earth Day this year, BAZAAR has scoured the web for 12 of our favourite climate-friendly and chic bag brands worth adding to our closets.
Related article: 5 Fashion Labels That Launched Sustainable Collections This Season
This brand does timeless bag silhouettes perfectly, creating reliable sidekicks that will transform any outfit from drab to fab in a snap. But more than that, it repurposes scrap leather into lifestyle products such as dog harnesses, key-rings and even mouse pads so nothing goes to waste. Maestoso also goes the extra mile by pledging to plant one tree for every order made on the website.
Since 2001, this English designer has committed to never using real leather, furs or skins in any collection - but the brand has furthermore continuously invested in research and development for leather alternatives. The brand currently has two in the works already, Mylo, a mushroom leather, and MIRUM, synthetic leather that does not contain any plastic or require fossil fuel or water to make, curbing the negative impact that leather treatment has on the environment.
Colourful wicker totes and raffia pouches have become a crowd favourite for the vacation-chic vibes, and no brand does it better than this one from Ghana. Each bag is hand-woven with raffia sourced from a small local farm, and is fully biodegradable. Rainwater is collected during the wet seasons, then used to dye the materials. Meanwhile, the bag's lining is made of organic cotton, and leather for the handles is purchased from local shoemakers to support the community at large.
True sustainable fashion is made to last with high-quality materials and craftsmanship. Every product offered by Hereu is made from Spanish or Italian leather which uses byproducts from the meat industry to avoid creating waste and pass the ethical standards of The Leather Working Group. The bags sport innovative and contemporary designs, and every item is handcrafted by artisans with a deep knowledge of sewing and weaving techniques that stand the test of time.
These bags have graced the arms of the Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex in recent years, but what’s more impressive is the brand’s sustainable operations in lowering waste. Under the company’s policy, no piece is ever destroyed, and all leftover fabrics are either reused or donated to apprentice schools while excess packaging is recycled. The brand also offers free lifetime repairs to ensure that their bags avoid the landfills.
Neous’ collections are classy yet unique, drawing inspiration from astrology and the mythical - take the Jupiter tote and Phoenix baguette bag, for example, made with leathers that are ethically sourced. From patternmakers to expert sewers, every stage of the making process involves many hands to perfect the details, which helps it last as long as possible. The brand also pledges to work with factories that pay workers adequately, provide proper healthcare and safety protection to ensure that all employees are treated fairly and safely.
If it’s good for Rita Ora, it’s good for us. Touted as the first plant-based luxury bag brand in the world, Marici adopts a three-part circular design philosophy that keeps all designs waste and pollution-free, long-lasting, and regenerative considering the natural resources which go into each bag. The brand uses plant fibres which are a byproduct of other industries and turns them into stylish accessories, opening avenues for local producers to keep growing the crops. Also, each square metre of material purchased helps to save up to 12 kg worth of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere.
These bags may have a low impact on the environment but they sure make a great statement piece with the contemporary hardware. Every component of the bags is 100 per cent vegan, from the slew of leathers made of pineapple, corn, grapes and apples to the wood handles sourced from a furniture company in Greece. The lining of the bags is made of recycled polyester and plastic, which reduces energy consumption and carbon dioxide production in the long haul.
Reco’s plushie patchwork bags are an instant delight, brightening up any outfit with ease, and it’s difficult to fathom that each piece is made up of excess materials from the fashion industry. During the pandemic, founder Bea Recoder - who has designed for the likes of Chloé, Paco Rabanne and Balenciaga - witnessed a surplus of materials going to waste, which inspired her to launch her own independent and green brand.
Straight out of New York, Advene designs nuanced pieces merging both highly structural elements and a sense of softness. The brand has opted to use 100 per cent cowhide leather sourced from Europe as the environmental impact is much lower compared to vegan leathers that are typically made of PU, which do not last. Hemp fibres are also used as it takes minimal water and chemicals to cultivate, producing two times more raw fibres than cotton using the same amount of space.
Like many of the brands on this list, behno works with The Leather Working Group to make leathers which have minimal impact on the environment. But more than that, the brand ensures that all workers are treated with respect and that they receive what they deserve: proper healthcare, employee benefits and even family planning, not just in their factories but other international factories. The message is clear: garment workers are not commodities and should never be exploited.
Looking for the perfect summer bag? Well, here’s our pick – Petite Kouraj’s expressive fringe bags, which are handwoven in Haiti in partnership with women-led organisation D.O.T Haiti, repurposing organic cotton net bags with leather handles and rayon fringe. The brand also promises to evolve and learn as time goes on to cultivate better practices which will keep their work sustainable.