It used to be that embracing ethical accessories meant sacrificing on style, from crunchy, synthetic fabrics to natural fibers with granola vibes. But like faux fur, sustainable handbags have evolved as brands innovate with new materials and design techniques. It’s made it possible to find socially responsible offerings that look and feel just as good as expensive designer styles or trendy, fast-fashion iterations—whether you’re searching for an essentials-only wristlet or day-to-night carryall.
Brands like Stella McCartney, Von Holzhausen, and Angela Roi are leaders when it comes to innovative and directional design, but new brands enter the category all the time, attracted to the whitespace (or blank canvas) it affords.
“We have the opportunity to be creative in our approach,” says Shivam Punjya, founder and creative director of the new ethical bag brand, Behno. “In our latest collection, we have a limited-edition bag handcrafted from drop cloths used by block-print artisans. The cloth is…usually discarded once saturated with dye. We decided to use this chaotic, one-of-a-kind, wabi-sabi print and embroider the fabric for our signature Ina silhouette.”
It’s exactly that type of evolutionary thinking that makes sustainable fashion so interesting to follow right now. Every day, it seems, someone’s discovering a new method for creating really beautiful pieces in ways that aren’t exacerbating the fashion industry’s massive pollution problem. But there’s still room for innovation, as designer Angela Roi explains. “With even more advanced technology, the new vegan, sustainable materials will threaten the highest leather as well in the near future,” she predicts.
“We want to show that there is as much beauty behind the products as there is in them.”
Part of the reason there’s so much room to play is that a lot of things can make a bag sustainable, from cruelty-free, eco-friendly, responsibly sourced materials to manufacturing processes that are mindful of environmental impact, to fair-wage, fair-trade employment opportunities. “[It] has a lot to do with the material, as well as the people behind the product,” says Ian Bentley, co-founder and chief executive officer of the Ethiopian-made bag accessories brand, Parker Clay. “We’re seeing a shifting trend in premium fashion and products where consumers want to have more [visibility] into the entire process. For some companies that’s a scary movement. For us, we celebrate it because we want to show that there is as much beauty behind the products as there is in them.”
And as more brands across the fashion industry start to re-evaluate the ethics and sustainability of their collections (several high-fashion houses, like Versace, Burberry, Gucci, and Michael Kors have committed to going fur-free by the end of this year, and Chanel just announced it’s no longer making accessories from exotic skins because it’s too difficult to source them responsibly at this point), it stands to reason that the market for sustainable handbags will only get better with time—just like the products themselves.
Whether you consider yourself a sustainability connoisseur or are in search of your first eco-friendly bag, shop our 12 faves ahead for fall 2018.
Angela Roi Angelou Mini Bucket, $185
Behno Ina Mini Crossbody, $375
Cuyana Croc-Embossed Wide Strap Mini Bucket Bag, $195
The Daily Edited Taupe Vegan Structured Cross Body Bag, $140
HfS Collective Convertible Crossbody Bag, $215
Matt & Nat Bini Bucket Bag, $125
Nisolo Simone Crossbody Shopper, $158
Parker Clay Nyala Foldover Clutch, $138
Stella McCartney Flo Small Shoulder Bag, $819
Von Holzhausen The Handheld Technik-Leather Bag, $450
Just like sustainable clothing and sneakers, handbags serve a particular function, yes, but they also need to look good, too. So find yourself a bag that can do both.
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