Vegan designer handbags are becoming more popular as a style staple for a new era. But how can you be sure it’s fully vegan? It can be tricky finding a high-quality, cruelty-free handbag, so this list will help you find the vegan designer handbag you’ve been seeking.
Fashioned from plastic substitutes and natural materials, vegan leather handbags have an ethical appeal, polished design, and leather-likeness that have made this trend one of the newest fashion crazes.
Why vegan designer handbags?
Perhaps you’re not ready to let go of that luxurious, all-leather designer handbag that you paid too much for years ago. But consider why vegan designer handbags are a better option. The manufacturing of vegan handbags does not require harm to anny animal or the use of any animal products.
There is also an environmental benefit to going vegan for your designer look in handbags. Production of faux-leather items like handbags generate about a quarter of the CO2 emissions that cattle-supplied leather does and uses less water.
Vegan designer handbags also are made of organic materials, like cork, cactus, and even mushrooms and pineapple. They do not rely on plastic compounds that can take decades to decompose, instead composed of greener alternatives that make them more environmentally friendly.
Here are a few examples of vegan designer handbags produced by some of the biggest designers in the industry.
Alkeme Atelier
Alkeme Atelier is not only known for its luxurious vegan designer handbags, but it is also known for making its own leather.
The Alkeme vegan fiber is made with 70% recycled materials and is only about one-third the weight of leather. Its beautiful design also features water- and scratch-resistant material that is manufactured to survive long after a traditional leather bag is tossed out.
The water moon satchel serves as a popular favorite with an eye-catching design that includes circular, gold-toned handles, a zipper closure and an interior pocket. This satchel comes in 8 colors.
Stella McCartney
Stella McCartney is probably one of the biggest designers who has focused on producing vegan designer handbags. The long-time vegetarian has crafted an impressive collection of handbags that are vegan and produced with cruelty-free vegan leather.
Stella McCartney’s vegan designer handbags are a combination of luxury, high craftmanship and style. Her pieces come at a high price, but they have come to define bold and beautiful style that celebrities rely upon as a standout accessory.
The Stella McCartney faux-leather cross-body bag offers a basic black option that is a necessity for any wardrobe. Its standout feature is the chain detailing. If you’re looking for something larger, consider the X Ed Curtis Falabella Large Faux-Leather Tote Bag.
Made in collaboration with young designer Ed Curtis, this handbag is surprisingly cavernous. Its finishing touches make it unique, with silver chains embroidered along the seams to serve as top handles or shoulder straps.
Nanushka
Nanushka has always made non leather designer handbags. As a well-known name in the fashion industry, Nanushka also offers collections made of leather and other non-vegan products, but it offers the same luxuriuos details to its vegan handbags.
The Nanushka Valerie Ruched vegan Leather Shoulder Bag is large enough to store basic makeup products and small enough to hold in your hand.
It comes in a neutral tan color that will easily accent most every day wardrobes. The Nanushka Jen Vegan Leather Clutch is elegant and fashionable, made with soft leather gilded pleating.
Telfar
Liberian-American designer Telfar Clemens, who heads his black-owned unisex fashion company, created vegan designer handbags that would meet his goal of making “genderless, democratic and transformative” products.
The signature shopping bag design has plenty of handles and straps that give it a versatile purpose no matter what you want to carry in it.
The Telfar Medium Shopping Bag stands out because of its simplicity – a basic structure, free of elaborate detailinig. This bag offers flexibility and convenience, easily matching any fashion ensemble.
Themoirè
Themoirè practices what it preaches when it comes to sustainability. Its vegan purses are made in as eco-friendly a manner as possible, and they plant a tree for every handbag sold. Their innovative production approach supports their sustainability mission.
The Croc Embossed Faux Leather Clutch is one of Bios’ attention-grabbing bags made of vegan eco-nappa leather, with a head-turning color that makes it perfect for going out for dinner.
This vegan designer handbag intentionally sports the old touch of traditional Italian craftsmanship that contrasts sharply with its contemporary look and design.
Watson & Wolfe
When you think of designer handbags, you think of elegance and stylish craftsmanship and expensive taste. Watson & Wolfe turned its vegan designer handbag collection into one of the most popular high-end bags with breathtaking style and luxury that makes an amazing accessory with any outfit. It also comes at a high price.
The Maddox tote in black comes with striking cobalt blue accents and is spacious enough to carry a work laptop and other important work items.
This bag is manufactured with the highest quality Italian vegan leather, lined with lining made from recycled plastic. The Maddox also offers the more practice exterior slip pocket and an interior pocket with a zipper.
Maison Margiela
Maison Margiela, one of the world’s biggest names in high-end luxury fashion, also designs vegan handbags. The French luxury fashion house headquartered in Paris and founded by Belgian designer Martin Margiela offers selections for the faux-leather enthusiasts in addition to its haute couture and everyday fashion.
The MM6 Maison Margiela Japanese Small Padded Faux Leather Shoulder Bag is a vegan designer handbag inspired by origami. Its soft body unfolds to display sharp corners and clean lines. Its clean white eco-friendly faux leather makes it an everyday accessory for work or play.
The MM6 Maison Margiela 5ac Woven Faux-Leather Bucket Bag is made of faux white and tan leather that is tightly woven together to give it a wicker basket look that is perfect for a casual date or a picnic.
