Handbags

Image courtesy of Arda Biomaterials
Leather Alternatives

Animal-Free Snakeskin Handbag Marks Debut from Upcycled Arda Biomaterials & BEEN London in a Benchmark for Fashion

UK upcycled materials startup Arda Biomaterials and sustainable brand BEEN London announce the launch of their first product: a snakeskin-type handbag crafted with an animal- and plastic-free leather-like material called New Grain. Arda’s New Grain, described as an extraordinary next-generation material, is developed from spent grain from breweries, sourced locally from London’s Bermondsey Beer Mile — once a leather tanning district. This launch marks New Grain’s first use of an external product, paving the way for its commercial scalability. The handbag, a version of BEEN’s bestselling MILLAIS bag, will be part of a future collection that includes wallets, laptop cases, and more bag styles. Genia Mineeva, the founder of BEEN London, emphasised the partnership’s role in pioneering sustainable fashion. She added, “As a brand making premium …

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Ganni bags made with BioFluff plant-based fur alternative

© Ganni
Non-Food

Denmark’s Ganni Unveils Bags Made With Plant-Based Fur Alternative BioFluff

Danish fashion brand Ganni has exhibited special edition bags made with a plant-based fur alternative at Copenhagen Fashion Week. The bags are based on the design of Ganni’s popular Bou bags, while the fur is made by biomaterials startup BioFluff. Claimed to be the world’s first fully plant-based fur alternative, the material is called Savian and contains fibres from plants such as nettles, flax, and hemp. It is entirely free of plastics and can be coloured using natural dyes. BioFluff raised $2.5 million in seed funding in November, in a round led by agrifood tech investor Astanor Ventures. Ganni also unveiled bags made from two other innovative materials at Copenhagen Fashion Week. One is manufactured using Celium, a leather alternative produced by Spanish biomaterials company …

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Gucci Billie Eilish

Photo by Tyrell Hampton © Gucci
Non-Food

Billie Eilish Teams Up with Gucci to Debut Iconic Horsebit Bag in Animal-Free Material

Luxury fashion house Gucci announces the launch of its latest iteration of the iconic Horsebit 1955 bag, this time crafted in Demetra, an animal-free alternative material that Gucci has developed in-house. Developed over two years by Gucci’s team of technicians and artisans, Demetra is composed of 75% plant-derived raw materials, including bio-based polyurethane made from non-GMO wheat and corn, plant-based viscose, and wood pulp. This marks the first time that Gucci has used the Demetra material to recreate one of its bags, and the launch is accompanied by a campaign featuring musician Billie Eilish. Eilish, known for her commitment to a vegan lifestyle, told Vogue, “I am honored to be part of Gucci’s evolution in rethinking tradition. It’s a new understanding, and one that isn’t …

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Modern Synthesis and GANNI

© Modern Synthesis
Non-Food

Ex Adidas Designer Unveils Bag Made from Bacteria at London Design Festival

Modern Synthesis, a London-based biotechnology company, has partnered with GANNI, a Danish fashion brand, to reimagine its ‘Bou’ handbag using the company’s bacterial nanocellulose material. Originally crafted from recycled animal leather, the new iteration is part of GANNI’s commitment to eliminate virgin leather from its products by the end of this year, and is being unveiled at the London Design Festival taking place until this Sunday. Founded by ex-Adidas designer Jen Keane and synthetic biologist Dr. Ben Reeve, Modern Synthesis uses a proprietary biotechnology process that transforms sugar derived from agricultural waste into nanocellulose fibers, which the company claims are eight times stronger than steel. The company joins the ranks of other biodegradable textile manufacturers like 3D-printed Simplifyber and banana-based FOReT and Rashki, who are …

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Banana bark bags

© FoReT
Non-Food

India’s FOReT Launches Biodegradable Vegan Bags Made From Banana Bark

Indian vegan fashion brand FOReT has developed a collection of sustainable and fully biodegradable bags made from locally sourced banana bark. To make the bags, the bark is harvested using a sharp knife, in a process that does not harm the banana tree. Fibers are then extracted from the bark and formed into twine, which is crocheted to make the plant-based bags. Finally, an inner lining made from cotton is added, along with other features such as a strap and tassels. The bags are made by rural Indian women, providing them with economic opportunities. The collection features several designs, including totes, bucket bags, and a messenger bag. The latest addition is the Moon Crest, which can transition between a clutch, sling, and waist bag. Due …

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Stella McCartney unveiled her iconic luxury handbags made with Mirum

Image credit: Stella McCartney

Non-Food

Stella McCartney Unveils Iconic Handbags Made with Animal and Plastic Free Leather MIRUM

During her Winter 2023 show, sustainable British designer Stella McCartney unveiled her iconic luxury handbags, Falabella and Frayme, crafted from MIRUM, a plastic and animal-free leather.  By introducing MIRUM, the Stella McCartney house is continuing to expand its offer of animal-friendly alternatives and promoting sustainability for the planet. According to Stella McCartney, FAO figures show that 1.4 billion animal skins were used in global leather production only in 2020, with tanning processes that use and produce toxic chemicals and gases. The future of fashion has arrived Developed by US materials company Natural Fiber Welding (NFW), MIRUM is a customizable material made with certified bio-based ingredients such as natural rubber, natural fibers, vegetable oils, and pigments, including biochar and oxide. It does not contain any plastics or require …

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Amschela

© Amschela
Leather Alternatives

Amschela Launches Crowdfunder for Multipurpose Bag Made From MIRUM Alt Leather

Amschela, a sustainable luxury handbag brand based in the UK, has launched a crowdfunding campaign for its new AIRIUM bag. AIRIUM is made from MIRUM, a plastic-free vegan leather alternative produced by Natural Fiber Welding. The multipurpose “6 in 1” bag can be worn six different ways — from handheld to a clutch or a crossbody. The bag will be manufactured by Veshin Factory in China, which produces sustainable accessories made from vegan materials. The facility also has a commitment to treating its workers ethically, in an industry notorious for its human rights abuses. Vegan brand Amschela started out by producing conventional leather accessories then transitioned to a vegan brand during the pandemic after learning about the environmental impact of the leather industry. The company …

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Banana leather handbags

© Rashki
Leather Alternatives

Rashki Launches “India’s First” Banana Leather Handbags

Sustainable fashion brand Rashki has partnered with Atma Leather to launch what it claims are India’s first banana leather handbags. India is said to be the world’s largest banana producer, and four tons of waste are generated for every ton of fruit. Atma saw an opportunity to make use of this resource by upcycling it into fibers that can be used to make a petroleum-free leather alternative. Following an extensive R&D process, Banofi leather was born, consisting of 60% banana fibers, 20% natural additives, and 20% non-petroleum synthetic additives. The material uses 85% less water and produces 85% less carbon dioxide than animal leather. Rashki has launched a range of bags made with Banofi, including the Snow black and white crossbody bag, Unica Eco handbag …

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Frayme Mylo bag in white

© Stella McCartney
Non-Food

Stella McCartney Presents New White Edition of Frayme Mylo Bag at Paris Fashion Week

Stella McCartney has launched a new limited edition version of her Frayme Mylo bag, in white instead of black. The bag is made from Mylo (Bolt Threads’ mycelium-based leather alternative), and is based on the design of McCartney’s classic Falabella bag. It has just been exhibited at the designer’s AW23 runway show at Paris Fashion Week, marking the first time Mylo has been available in a colour other than black. The event was held at Paris’ oldest equestrian stables, with models walking the runway alongside rescued ponies. “It’s an honor to continue our long and storied relationship with the Stella team to establish Mylo, and material innovation, as the future of fashion,” said Bolt Threads on LinkedIn. “Embodiment of a vision” The original black Frayme …

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cruelty-free material black handbag

© Doshi
Leather Alternatives

California: Doshi Presents New Accessories Using Luxury Vegan Leathers

Doshi, an eco-friendly, luxury vegan brand of work, leisure, and travel accessories, reveals a new line of products made with innovative cruelty-free materials. Handbags, backpacks, wallets, money clips, belts, and cardholders made with microfibre vegan leather, kraft paper, and Piñatex are among the company’s newly presented creations. Based in California and founded by Paras Doshi, the company designs and creates 100% vegan alternatives for customers with ethical, religious, or environmental concerns. “We would love to share our mission and message with the world. And let more people understand that they do not have to give up on quality or style when switching to ethical and sustainable accessories,” says Doshi. Durable, cruelty-free accessories Doshi is constantly researching new durable, cruelty-free materials with a luxurious appeal that …

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NOIRANCA Brown Leather Handbag

©NOIRANCA
Non-Food

Introducing NOIRANCA: Vegan Luxury Handbags That Outperform Animal-Based Leather

As the world of vegan leather and biomaterials continues to expand and flourish, there is ongoing debate as to whether these fabrics truly compare to animal leather in quality and how they impact the environment.   NOIRANCA is a new handbag and accessories brand determined to settle this controversy by bringing unrivaled excellence and eco-transparency to vegan leather. Encouraging consumers to “buy less and enjoy longer”, the brand uses PETA-approved fabric to craft luxury handbags it says are 40% more durable than conventional leather.  Uniqueness and empowerment Launched in 2021, NOIRANCA (a combination of the words “noir” and “bianca”) first debuted a handbag line in five styles inspired by iconic and powerful women such as Deborah Harry, Alice Neel, Grace Jones and Patti Smith. The company’s …

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Founders Natalie Deana and Rebecca Joy © Frida Rome
Interviews

Frida Rome: “Not All Vegans Are Saintly in Every Aspect Of Their Lives, We Certainly Are Not”

UK based vegan fashion brand Frida Rome found recent fame in the UK series Dragons’ Den (known as Shark Tank in the US) with founders Natalie Deana and Rebecca Joy carving out a new niche, creating luxury handbags for “bad girls who do good things”. Frida Rome’s debut luxury accessory is a crossbody handbag called The WEEK/END, which contains an erotic story about a weekend romance. The ladies behind the brand have launched a billboard campaign; a “risqué nod to the (often controversial) 90’s high fashion aesthetics, combined with a significant underlying message that highlights our dedication to cruelty-free fashion. We believe in luxury without compromise; the pillar upon which the house of FRIDA ROME stands.” With such a fun concept, combining sustainable with sexy, …

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veganologie launches accessories with recycled materials

© Veganologie
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Veganologie Launches Accessories Made From Recycled Plastic Bottles

Dubai-based Veganologie launches accessories such as handbags and wallets, all made from recycled materials. When Angana Maheshwari began looking for a handbag that was sustainable, attractive, reasonably priced, and well-made, she couldn’t find anything that met her specifications — so she decided to design some. With time on her hands over lockdown, Maheshwari developed vegan bags, wallets, and credit card cases. The PU leather and vegan suede interior of the products are made entirely from recycled plastic bottles, while any hardware is made of fully recyclable zinc alloy. All packaging is also made from 100% recycled materials. Veganologie’s crossbody bags each use 11 plastic bottles, while the wallets are made from four bottles and the cardholders from two. The production process involves melting the bottles …

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© Frida Rome
Non-Food

Vegan Fashion Brand Frida Rome to “Make Sustainability Sexy” With Dragons’ Den Appearance

Vegan fashion brand Frida Rome is set to appear on the new UK series of Dragons’ Den, with founders Natalie Deana and Rebecca Joy showcasing handbags that are “sophisticated on the outside and naughty on the inside”. Frida Rome’s debut luxury accessory is a crossbody handbag called The WEEK/END, which contains an erotic story about a weekend romance. The founders describe themselves as “Bad Girls who do Good Things”, on a mission to build an empire of luxury sustainable products. The brand will also soon be launching The WEEK/DAY and WEEK/DAY X, two totes that come with a story about a secret office liaison. All Frida Rome handbags are made with sustainable vegan leather alternatives — either apple or cactus leather. Sustainable vegan accessories Worldwide, …

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House of Marici

©House of Marici
Non-Food

Iconic UK Department Store Selfridges to Home Mārīcī Vegan Bags Made from Piñatex

Starting on July 8, exclusive UK department store Selfridges will host plant-based accessory brand Mārīcī. The London-based fashion house Mārīcī crafts luxury bags from revolutionary leather alternative Piñatex – the ground-breaking vegan material taking the fashion world by storm.  Mārīcī is a circular design slow fashion brand that produces artisan vegan bags in Venice, Italy, and will appear in Selfridges as part of the iconic store’s ‘Project Earth’ luxury designer edit – exploring design innovations and retail concepts centered around sustainability. Mārīcī will be the only brand represented currently using Piñatex, the next-gen material made from waste pineapple leaves and famed for its sustainability credentials. The PETA-approved material also recently hit the news for its footwear collaboration with Nike.  Made by UK-based Ananas Anam, Piñatex …

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©Lug
Non-Food

Lug Launches First-Ever PETA-Approved Vegan Leather Collection

Lug, a popular lifestyle brand specialising in fashionable handbags and accessories, announces the launch of its first-ever vegan leather collection, which debuted live on the QVC show Saturday Morning Q on 20 March 2021. The new handbag collection is certified as PETA-Approved vegan. “I’ve never been a leather bag kind of gal. I’ve always been able to design everything I want in a bag in nylon and man-made fabrications. I like the look of leather and wanted to explore designing with a new medium, but insisted that if we were going to develop a leather-looking collection, it had to be vegan leather. I’ve been very fussy about the quality, the hand-feel, and how the fabrication can handle our vivid color palette and detailing,” said Lug …

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Pamela Anderson ASHOKA bags

pamelaandersonfoundation.org
Non-Food

Pamela Anderson Launches Vegan Bag Collection with Paris Fashion House ASHOKA

Another big name in the celebrity world debuts a vegan accessories collection. Pamela Anderson has teamed up with ASHOKA Paris to release a line of designer bags made using apple skins sourced from Italy. David Mateo worked with Ms Anderson for almost 16 months to design the collection premiering in red, terracotta, black and nude.

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