The 3 best brands of vegan and eco-responsible bags
It's not always easy to find a vegan handbag that's pretty, high quality and ethically made.
A handbag follows us everywhere. It carries all our most intimate things, what it contains can say a lot about us and our life. In a way, it is the reflection of our personality, so it is important to find a perfect one, which will accompany us for years!
But how can we choose a bag that matches our eco-responsible values ?
Zebra Vegan Shop carefully selects vegan leather goods brands based on several criteria, with animal welfare , environmental protection and respect for workers being the priorities .
What is a vegan bag?
A bag is considered vegan when it is made without any material of animal origin, therefore without leather, but also without fish-based glue.
It is little known, but fish derivatives are found in certain glues, and not only in the leather goods industry.
Is a vegan bag always eco-friendly?
A vegan bag is not necessarily eco-responsible. Indeed, some vegan bags are made from polluting synthetic materials of poor quality, and manufactured on the other side of the world in deplorable working conditions.
Rest assured, you won't find this type of vegan bag on Zebra Vegan Shop.
I make sure to select ethical and eco-responsible vegan bag brands , that is to say brands that choose sustainable materials, as ecological as possible. Brands that seek to reduce their environmental impact and that have their bags manufactured in safe factories, in good working conditions.
What material are vegan bags made of?
Today, there are many alternative materials to replace leather. Here are some of them used to design vegan bags:
Vegan bag in apple alter leather
This is probably the most used vegan material in vegan leather goods. Apple Skin is made in Italy, from apple peels (waste from the apple juice and compote industry). There are different textures and thicknesses of apple "leather". The appearance and feel of the material are very similar to animal leather. Its quality is no longer in doubt, as many leather goods brands have been using it for several years now.
Vegan bag in grape alter leather
Very similar to apple leather, this quality material is also produced in Italy, with 55% grape marc. The company Vegea recycles waste from the grape harvest (grape skins, seeds, etc.), to transform them into vegan imitation leather using polymers to provide resistance. We have a crush on this vegan bag made of grape "leather" .
Vegan piñatex bag
An eco-friendly material made from pineapple leaf fibers, grown in the Philippines. Piñatex is one of the most eco-friendly vegan materials because it requires almost no environmental resources to be produced: the leaves are usually thrown away, burned or partially used for composting in the field. It is an original and unique material that does not look like leather.
Vegan cork bag
One of the oldest vegan materials. Cork comes from the bark of the cork oak, which is recovered using a technique called "lifting". The first stripping of the bark from the tree does not occur until it is 25 years old. This natural material has been greatly modernized, and is now available in different colors, such as this vegan blue cork handbag .
Vegan cactus "leather" bag
The material is produced in Mexico by the company Desserto. It is an alternative to leather made from nopal, a variety of cactus. After being harvested, the cactus leaves are dried in the sun before being mixed with bio-sourced polyurethane. Cactus "leather" is a high-quality material, also used to make vegan shoes.
Vegan bag labels and certifications
If you want to be sure that you are dealing with a vegan handbag , you can rely on the PETA (People for the Ethnic Treatment of Animals) label . The latter certifies that no animal material is present in the product, that no animal has been used as a guinea pig or has served in the manufacture of the product. It is a reliable and recognized vegan certification in the fashion sector. There are also other labels that I invite you to discover through the article Labels in eco-responsible and vegan fashion .
Why choose a vegan and eco-responsible bag?
If you're still hesitant to switch to vegan handbags, here are some benefits that might just convince you:
Respect for animals
If you love animals, you probably feel uncomfortable using their skin. Animal leather has always been put on a pedestal, yet it requires the exploitation and slaughter of billions of animals every year. Choosing a vegan bag is an ethical choice that aims to protect and preserve animals.
Respect for the environment
The vegan bags presented here are made from eco-friendly materials whose use helps to minimize the environmental impact of the fashion industry. By purchasing a vegan bag, you contribute to preserving our planet's resources.
A sustainable and committed purchase
By choosing a quality vegan bag, you are sure to keep it for many years, provided you take care of it of course.
Your style above all
Far from the eco-friendly baba cool bags that were offered a few years ago, today you will find modern and trendy vegan bags .
There is something for all tastes and styles: from small handbags to fanny packs, large tote bags or vegan backpacks , you will definitely find what you are looking for! Buying a vegan and eco-responsible handbag is, above all, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable future for all, without saying byebye to our style!
It's time to reveal my selection of the 3 best vegan bag brands , they are all French brands, all 3 start with an A, surely a sign: A like A mour des A nimaux
Ashoka Paris
Ashoka Paris is an eco-responsible and vegan luxury leather goods brand created in 2017. The brand has truly revolutionized traditional luxury leather goods by being a pioneer in the use of alternatives to leather with its vegan Apple Skin bags.
Ashoka offers a wide range of vegan bags with a chic and modern Parisian style. The brand even collaborated with Pamela Anderson on one of their vegan bag collections.
Arsayo Paris
Arsayo Paris is a family brand with strong values, long committed to the animal cause. The brand offers beautiful vegan leather goods that combine style, innovation, comfort and practicality. The Arsayo brand has chosen to position itself in two niches, with:
- A range of vegan bags at very affordable prices:
With vega bags designed in quality synthetic imitation leather and manufactured in their partner workshop in China.
- A range of Premium vegan bags:
With more high-end vegan bags, made in Portugal from AppleSkin or cork.
This leaves choice for all budgets, while being respectful of the planet and animals.
The flagship product of the Arsayo brand is an urban backpack that stands out with a unique anti-theft secure closure system in the world (patented): the zipper tabs fold down on the back of the bag to hold them in place with snap fasteners.
Alenore
Alénore , a brand of high-quality vegan bags, was launched in 2020 by two friends who are passionate about fashion and luxury leather goods: Anne-Laure and Noémie. Their ambition: to create a brand that reflects them with a high-end positioning, but above all strong values, with ecology and people at the heart of the collections. The bet is successful, the Alénore brand designs elegant vegan bags with impeccable finishes. They are made in France by craftsmen with exceptional know-how.
I hope you like Zebra Vegan Shop's selection of vegan bags, don't hesitate to share your opinion in the comments of this article!