If you are looking to invest in a new handbag, but want to make sure that the one you're opting for is a sustainable choice, then you have come to the right place. There are plenty of eco-friendly accessory labels on the market – whether you're a lover of bold statement-making pieces or sleek minimal designs – which have become firm favourites of Bazaar and regularly make an appearance in our wardrobes.
Building up a more earth-friendly approach to shopping is all about making conscious, well-thought-out decisions with your purchases, and doing plenty of research into the brands you are thinking of investing in. Make sure you take time to understand the processes and the materials used in the manufacture – check out the brand's website and feel free to get in touch with them if you have any questions. Being a responsible shopper is all about being inquisitive.
“We are voting with our wallets for a more sustainable and ethical future in fashion," says Sandra Capponi, the co-founder of ethical brand rating site Good On You, which helps shoppers make informed choices; it's a useful resource to check the eco-credentials of your favourite brands, as well as discovering new labels. "We have to use our voice and our influence to demand change from the industry and policymakers," she continues. "We have to show them that we care about our planet and its people. Supporting better brands is a great place to start."
And, if you're unsure of a style, don't forget that there are also plenty of amazing rental sites that are great for trying out a piece before you buy or want to tap into a trend without committing fully. Or, if you're in the market for a specific designer bag, resale sites are perfect to head to for excellent secondhand and vintage finds.
If you're shopping new, we've rounded up 22 sustainable handbag brands that suit every budget, helping you to shop sustainably and stay chic.
Sustainable bag brands to discover now
1
Chylak
Chylak's new collection is a sustainable take on moiré, which is an intricate fabric that has been handcrafted in France for more than five generations by a family-owned business. This version of moiré is made with 62 per cent recycled ocean plastic, with all linings being created from LENZING™ ECOVERO™ viscose, which is 40 times less water-intensive to produce than cotton, as well as recycled threads and recycled or natural rubber interfacing to stiffen our handbags.
The brand was founded by Zofia Chylak, who has previously designed for Proenza Schouler and Nicolas Caito. Although the brand is not defined as sustainable outside of this collection, her recent work shows how we can reimagine traditions in a more sustainable way that's better for the planet.
2
Been London
Been London’s founder Genia Mineeva’s journey into fashion took a different route to most; Mineeva started out as a political journalist in the BBC’s newsroom, where she ran campaigns for the UN, Change.org and Natalie Vodianova’s Naked Heart Foundation. Throughout her busy career, she found her passion for sustainability and looking after our environment, in particular, coffee cup waste, leading to Been London.
Mineeva went on to talk with leading experts and study Sustainable Value Chains at Cambridge University, where she discovered the gap in the market for utilising recycled materials rescued from landfill. She combines innovation with local skills and heritage to bring waste back to life in the form of handbags. Been London is created by an all-female team based in Victoria Park, East London –the brand names each bag after their favourite places around the local area.
3
Folklore the Label
Folklore the Label provides the ultimate statement bags, without harming our planet. Founded in 2014 by Central St Martin’s alumni Haya Al Abdulkareem, the label brings fun to our wardrobes through seasonless drops as collections. With a focus on artisan production and high-quality sustainable materials, the brand works with a family-owned leather goods manufacturer in a small town in Spain, using only natural vegetable dyes in the tanning process and upcycled materials from previous collections to minimise waste.
Folklore the Label has also collaborated with The Saudi House – a non-profit cooperation in Kuwait that protects its traditional craft of weaving and Sadu Making – on an exclusive collection since 2017, creating its Kyklos bag.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Maestoso
Maestoso knows that our choices have an impact on the world around us. The brand works to ease its own environmental footprint by sourcing sustainable materials, implementing ethical production practices and investing in styles that stand the test of time. Aside from the product itself, the brand uses recyclable packaging and has a permanent initiative that plants one tree for every purchase.
5
Atomy Studios
Polish label Atomy Studios uses the concept of lean manufacturing, which was first coined by the creators of Toyota in Japan. It focuses on waste reduction, both in materials and labour, where humans are first in the chain of production. It emphasises how important it is for them to make the right choices, to deliver high-quality products while still respecting its workers and the planet. The brand bases production on local crafts and uses only the services of regional producers and suppliers, using Polish, vegetable-tanned leather. Above all else, Atomy Studios represents what it means to be sustainable in fashion today, by creating timeless pieces to invest in now and love for a lifetime.
6
Wicker Wings
When brother and sister duo Belinda and James Yu discovered their grandmother's hand-wove baskets in China before coming to England, they set out to make the wicker bag a staple in every woman's wardrobe. Wicker Wings bags are handwoven using naturally grown rattan and high-quality Italian vegetable leather. The rattan used is one of the fastest-growing, replenishable natural materials in the world and the Italian vegetable-tanned leather uses only natural materials in the finishing process.
Each basket is handwoven by female artisans in Indonesia, a skill that is declining but through the demand for these bags, women can remain in employment and create a second income for their families.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
7
Manu Atelier
Manu Atelier presents sustainability in the form of longevity. One of the greenest ways to approach fashion and shopping is to invest in styles that you will love forever, instead of steering towards trends and buying into fast fashion. The brand explains: "Producing our bags in our own workshop provides us with a great advantage in regards to sustainability. It provides an opportunity to have more control of all production stages and overall, more control over the quality of our products."
Its leather is locally sourced and handled in-house in the brand's workshop, which only uses the highest-quality materials and techniques that have less impact on the environment, with minimal chemical treatment and therefore being less harmful to the environment. Manu Atelier operates a zero-waste policy and recycles any leftover materials and reuses them for bag linings.
8
Stella McCartney
One of the most well-known responsible brands famed for its sustainable practices, Stella McCartney continues to set an example within the luxury fashion industry. The designer uses innovative processes and materials such as organic cotton, forest-friendly fibres, recycled polyester and regenerated cashmere to create all of its products.
9
Nannacay
What makes Nannacay so special is that no two pieces are the same, as each is carefully constructed by hand, so you know your accessory will be unique. The collections are filled with traditional straw, string and canvas designs, all given very modern updates. The development, colour standardisation and quality control are all coordinated by founder Marcia Kemp herself, who loves to lend her expertise to the local community in Peru. Much more than a fashion brand, it also serves as a bridge between those in need and people able to help.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
10
Roop
Roop uses leftover cuts from factories, secondhand Ebay finds, charity shops and vintage fabrics to create its statement Instagram-worthy bags; Roop is a firm favourite of team Bazaar, worn at London Fashion Week in February. Founder Natasha Fernandes Anjo makes each piece by hand into her own designs, which she describes as a blend of "Furoshiki bags meets scrunchie".
Due to the nature of the fabrics used, many items are one of a kind, while the brand's packaging is made from recycled products, too.
11
Alienina
Each Alienina piece is handmade and unique using a vast variety of unexpected materials, such as sailing and mountain climbing cords, wicks for oil lamps, resin used in car parts, or straps used for blinds. Around 80 per cent of the materials are production waste, washable and non-toxic. The techniques used are inspired by old traditional crafts, which the designer then reimagines in a contemporary, modern way.
12
Bottletop
Bottletop began with one aim in mind – to empower people and the planet through sustainable design. It started in 2002 by upcycling bottle tops in Kenya lined with leather offcuts and has since then become one of the most recognisable sustainable bag brands in the industry. It works closely with the National Wildlife Federation to ensure that its leather supply has zero deforestation impact during production.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
13
Marici
After discovering that many vegan alternative leathers can be plastic-based, Marici aimed to find an environmentally friendly material that didn't compromise on that luxury feel. The brand discovered fruit leathers and uses pineapple waste to create its products, which are made through low-waste production and minimal water usage in order to keep their impact on our planet low.
Amanda Navaian, Marici's founder, advises shoppers on the one change they should make: "Instead of throwing away your handbag when it starts to look tired, consider getting it restored or recycled. We offer a lifetime guarantee with every purchase, so customers can bring back their products to be repaired."
14
Kayu
Kayu bags are made entirely by hand in limited quantities by artisans in the Philippines, Indonesia and Malaysia. The brand aims to preserve and cultivate the traditional crafts that surrounded the designer, Jamie Lim, as a child – and that have been passed down through generations. Due to the attention to detail, each piece takes around two days to complete, but once ready they make the perfect summertime accessory.
15
Naturae Sacra
Naturae Sacra is a Milan-based contemporary label that takes its inspiration from nature, sculpture and interiors. Every bag from the brand is hand-made locally, using traditional vegetable-tanning techniques and consciously sourced materials. It takes up to 12 days for artisans to produce a single piece, which demonstrates the brand's passion for skilled craftsmanship and environmentally conscious design processes. We love its signature natural resin handles – guaranteed to make any outfit look chic.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
16
Mashu
Ethical and sustainable handbag brand Mashu is known for its elegant top-handled, leather-look bags, which are all carefully crafted from recycled polyester and plastic.
Through their processes, CO2 emissions are reduced by 80 per cent compared to the traditional petrol-based polyester production process. The brand has also started to experiment with natural fibres such as Pinatex, a leather alternative made from pineapple leaves. All of the materials used are 100 per cent recyclable at the end of their life and the products are handmade in Greece.
17
Hereu
Hereu's leather bags celebrate the folk traditions and the art and culture of the Spanish Mediterranean. The brand works with skilled local craftspeople and artisans in Barcelona, with "the individual hand of an artisan" being the starting point for each design. The label's instantly recognisable top-handled, cut-out leather tote is a great starting point for your sustainable handbag collection.
18
Paradise Row
Fast becoming a favourite are Paradise Row's sweet and kooky 'Empathy' bags, which feature facial expressions embellished across them. The company was founded three years ago to help revive East London craftsmanship and give something back to the local community. The area was once renowned for its thriving textile industry, but now has only a handful of leather workshops left. This inspired the founders to revive the spirit of the area with their new company, which is already making waves across the capital.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
19
0711 Tbilisi
If you want to make a statement and be sustainable at the same time, then this brand will be right up your street. 0711 Tbilisi is a label aiming to reinvent the classic handbag by combining natural materials, traditional hand weaving and contemporary design.
Founded by friends Nino Eliava and Ana Mokia, the brand combines a love of nature with a passion for statement pieces. The entire business is based in Georgia, which gives the founders greater control over materials, suppliers and the entire production process.
Each hand-woven bag is created manually by artisans, who are all elderly women for whom knitting is native, craftsmanship passed down from ancestors – and, since 2015, they have adopted an innovative knitting technique using organic glass and plywood frames.
20
Sandqvist
Sandqvist was founded in 2004, initially as an experimental design project by childhood friends; Anton, Daniel and Sebastian. However, the brand quickly grew due to the lack of well-crafted, design-led, functional bags on offer at the time. The three founders stay true to their Scandinavian roots and believe in Swedish values: sustainability and care for the environment, high-quality designs and uncompromising functionality.
