Marketing Opportunity

According to fashion search platform Lyst, vegan leather searches in particular have increased by 199% since 2018, often in relation to bags and vegan fashion. For brands who can offer a truly sustainable alternative to leather, there is a real opportunity here.  

In addition millennial focused IT Bags and accessories continue to dominate the hottest women's products list from online search platform Lyst. The luxury bag sector, which is currently underserved by sustainable brands is another opportunity waiting to be tapped.

Here are 9 of the best sustainable bag brands including 8 CO leaders.

Image credit: Bottletop

Elvis & Kresse

UK brand Elvis & Kresse offer an innovative collection based on the transformation of London Fire Brigade’s decommissioned hoses, where 50% of profits go back to The Fire Fighters charity.

Bags come in the traditional red or a rarer yellow, with linings of reclaimed parachute silk. More recently the brand has partnered with the Burberry Foundation to produce a range of upcycled leather bags, using offcuts from Burberry's production. Bags range from purses and clutches to classic totes and spacious weekend holdalls.

Retail price point: £48-£350 ($60-$430)

Connect with Elvis & Kresse on CO

Behno

New York label Behno has a mission to improve supply chain working conditions with its ‘Behno Standard’ initiative. 

Bringing a sustainable reboot to classic handcrafted handbags, Behno have created a 11 strong collection from the trusty tote to a crossbody - which can be worn as a bum bag, shoulder bag, and clutch - is produced in a variety of neutral tones. The collection is spliced through with a postbox red and sherbert pink option. 

Retail price point: £62-£730 ($75-$890)

Connect with Behno on CO

Bottletop

Fusing innovation with sustainable materials, Bottletop’s signature chainmail design is made from recycled ring pulls sourced in Brazil. 

Their latest range - a psychedelic blend of acid tones with a flurry of fringe -  is lined with zero-deforestation leather, from the Novo Campo Amazon programme. The collection features a slouchy bucket bag, circular crossbody, and multi-wear clutch. Collaboration is key, from the 2002 best selling bag for Mulberry, to collaborations with Donna Karan and DKNY. 

Retail price point: £35-£325 ($45-$400)

Connect with Bottletop on CO

3Quarters

This Athenian accessories brand takes the unconventional approach of upcycling leftover balcony awnings and reconstructing them to produce unique, utilitarian, stylish bags coloured in a mellow blend of muted tones. 

Sourcing discarded awnings locally allows for a zero waste policy to be implemented. Smaller scale production using local materials, workers and inspiration promotes the benefits of a slow fashion cycle. In its 8 carefully selected bags, from a backpack with venetian blind straps to a clutch which can unfold to a tote, the ergonomics of the bag is a priority. 

Retail price point: £32-£151 ($40-$185)

Connect with 3Quarters on CO

MWOVEN

London based MWOVEN demonstrates experimental flare with their trademark hand woven leather bags and lining made from ECONYL - a nylon made from recycled ocean and landfill waste. Leather is handwoven by Syrian women refugees in collaboration with NGO Small Projects Istanbul. 

MWoven now incorportates blockchain technology with each item carrying a scannable chip, providing information detailing the materials, and processes used as well as sourcing information. 

Retail price point: £345-£990 ($420-$1,200)

Connect with MWOVEN on CO

Biji Biji

These upcycled seatbelt handbags from Malaysian social enterprise Biji Biji, provide a chic and industrial take on a classic cut. Made from discarded seatbelts and banners and finished with felt, 96.5% of all materials used are procured locally. To date 630 metres of seatbelt and 551 kilograms of banners have been repurposed.

Designs are minimal, allowing the raw materials to be showcased in monochrome clutches, duffles and bowlers. 

Retail price point: £59-£190 ($70-$230)

Connect with Biji Viji on CO

Kantala

Inspired by Sri Lankan traditional craft and delivering a modern product, Kantala has a prerogative to provide a sustainable livelihood for artisans and protect traditional craft. Bags are produced in Hana mat, a 300 year old indigenous weaving technique native to Henavala a small hillside village in Sri Lanka.

Functional and stylish yet retaining the charm of the original Hana mat and finished with a decorative coconut shell logo. Bags pack a punch in a multitude of colours, from small compact purses to large yoga totes.  

Retail price point: £24-£64 ($30-$80)

Connect with Kantala on CO

Gunas New York

Gunas New York has a strictly 100% vegan ethos excluding fur, wool, leather and silk from all of their bag productions. Instead favouring Mulbtex (a Mulberry leaf pulp) for the external material, a recycled plastic bottle lining and recycled paperboard for the inner construction.

Creating a selection of elegant bags in muted tones, contrasted by a splattering of pastels. Bags are named after eco-icons such as Livia Firth co-founder of Eco-Age and the Green Carpet. 

Retail price point: £40-£226 ($50-$275)

Connect with Gunas New York on CO

Luxtra

London based brand Luxtra offer a two tone handmade collection of black and silver bags. A classic clutch is given a space age twist, with a metallic Pinatex shell and a red cotton lining. A timeless tote, card holder and backpack round off the collection. 

The pioneering products are made entirely from vegan materials, from Pinatex, a cellulose fibre extracted from the Pineapple leaf to Frumat a bio-based leather made from Apple. Bags Arrive in a cotton dust bag, which is Oeko-Tex® certified. 

Retail price point: £35-£350 ($45-$430)