LUX Love: Vegan Handbags
With vintage leather Cocos gracing the shoulders of classy socialites, and chic Proenza Schouler PS1s strutting down cobblestoned catwalks, vegan handbags are often left in the dust, the synthetic material and cheesy designs common turn-offs for the posh at heart. Nevertheless, with vegan practices come fashionable sacrifices. And when it comes to avoiding handbags made of plush leather and colorful cowhides, they’re sacrifices most women find difficult to make.
That is, until you set eyes on these lovely vegan lines. From Stella McCartney to Matt & Nat and the Ecoist, these designers incorporate animal-friendly material into their handbags that stray away from the cruelty that places most designers on the PETA blacklist. Don’t expect a burlap sack with pleather handles or plastic flowers. Through their edgy designs and lush material, they have created drool-worthy pieces. And with that, a new word is introduced to the vegan community: luxury.
1. Teich Rockaway Tote ($145)
The lightweight and comfortable Teich Rockaway tote is the perfect nautical accessory for a sail by the harbor. Made from a blue and white organic twill, and lined with a hemp and organic cotton blend, the super soft fabric feels anything but synthetic. Plus, the brass-plated “T"on the flap gives it a glamorous edge. It’s a subtle surprise that makes the bag as fashionable as it is animal-friendly.
2. Ecoist Chica Rosa Silver Clutch ($45)
Large enough to hold everything from your car keys to your lipstick, Ecoist’s Chica Rosa is the perfect silver clutch for a night out on the town. With its silver hardware and zipper closure, you would never have guessed that it was hand crocheted with 200 recycled aluminum pop-tops! It’s fun, stylish, and super tiny, making the Chica Rosa the perfect companion for your little black dress and sky-high stilettos.
3. Vegan Queen Eco IT Bag ($650)
Channeling the luxury of a Louis Vuitton monogram bag, Vegan Queen’s Eco IT bag is a sumptuous find. The unique contrast of blues, whites, and maroons, with a white double handle and zip-top closure, provide the perfect details for any scenario. Whether it be dinner, shopping, or a trip to the farmer’s market, it’s an adaptable find. Made from 100 percent PVC free eco polymer and vegetal leather, it’s also lined with organic cotton French terry! To finish it off, the engraved recycled crest medallion and nickel-free zipper are embellishments sure to catch the eye of any lux consumer. The “IT” bag screams indulgence in a world of hemp and pleather.p>
4. Stella McCartney Shellred Clutch with Chain ($695)
Move over Chanel, there’s a new chained bag in town! Adorned with gold-tone hardware and a delicate chain strap, Stella McCartney’s soft pink clutch is the epitome of girly sophistication. The bag is made with cruelty-free, faux shellred leather that is absolutely soft to the touch, which maintains a loveliness sure to make any leather enthusiast fall off her high horse. Easily versatile, this clutch can go from a shopping trip to a dinner date in five seconds flat. The clutch’s classy existence is bound to be an instant favorite for the subtly glamorous.
5. Matt & Nat Commix Nappa Handbag ($230)
Bring out your inner biker babe with Matt & Nat’s tough Nappa handbag. Perfect for the animal-loving fashionista, the bag’s aqua lining is made from 13 recycled plastic bottles, while the exterior is dressed in black vegan leather. With tone-on-tone stitching and antique brass hardware, the Commix has an edge that most vegan handbags lack. Top it off with a drawstring closure and a brass cross body shoulder chain and it’s downtown chic at its finest.
6. Momaboma Bombo Classwork Bag (Price Upon Request)
Used dresses, old packages, Italian periodicals and vintage magazines—it’s a European laundry list of objects perfect for the recycling bin. However, for Momaboma, it’s more than litter, it’s artistic inspiration. Under their supervision, second-hand pieces are re-evaluated and reused as material for their handbags, therefore no two bags are alike! For the Momaboma Bombo Classwork bag, first grade homework sheets are brought back to life. The students’ work is glued onto polypropylene netting, ultimately fashioned into a masterpiece reminiscent of Hermes’ Birkin. My favorite part? They’re lined with a vintage t-shirt. Talk about being resourceful!
Purple Neon/Ladylux
