Made from: Both DAN & MÉZ and Votch make watches from Piñatex, an innovative fabric created from pineapple leaf fibres.
Bonus points: Piñatex is a by-product of the pineapple harvest that uses no extra resources, whilst offering extra income for farmers. Plus, no extra land, pesticides or fertilisers are used in the production, so the fabric is good for animals and the environment.
www.votch.co.uk/products/rose-gold-and-pinatex-classic
www.danandmez.com
Made from: MATT & NAT use various vegan “leathers” including PU (polyurethane) and PVC (polyvinylchloride) in its bags. PU is less harmful for the environment than PVC, so the company makes it a point to opt for it, continuously working to improve the standards for all materials. Whilst the outer isn’t entirely eco friendly, the bag linings are made from 100% recycled nylon, made out of used plastic bottles!
Editor’s Note: While the Chanda Backpack is no longer available, the brand has some fantastic alternatives. Try the Alex for something similar.
Made from: 100% Piñatex pineapple outer, 100% Cupro Bemberg Cotton Lining. There’s even a detachable collar in organic cotton shearing that can be latched onto any of the natural or metallic leather jackets.
Made from: Recycled plastic bottles and vegan suede inserts. Veja products are made from completely sustainable materials including a range of vegetable tanned leathers, organic and Fairtrade cotton, recycled plastic, wild rubber, jute and hemp (ethically produced in Brazil).
Bonus points: The mesh used by Veja is made from synthetic fibers (PET). A smart fabric, both waterproof and breathable from recycled plastic bottles. The amount of fabric used to make a basket equals three plastic bottles.
Made from: Real tree leaves! Coated with resin, leaves are lightweight but durable. Thamon‘s ethereal designs are made from sustainably sourced birch, lotus and Sal leaves. Each piece is handmade from fallen leaves, hand-dyed and crafted by artisans so every piece is entirely unique. The green leaf handbag is another favourite of ours.
Bonus points: All fallen leaves are collected by people within the local area, meaning that the funds become a source of income to lower income families.
Editor’s Note: The Rachel Leaf Backpack is no longer available. Head here for some stylish alternatives.
Made from: PETA approved PU (polyurethane), crafted using natural materials (all bags are PVC-free).
Bonus points: These beaut bags are made in China by workers who get fair pay, monitored working hours, complimentary lunches and paid leave. Melie Bianco also operates under a profit sharing model so that employees share in the company’s success.
Editor’s Note: The Burgundy Crossbody is no longer available. Head here for alternatives.
www.meliebianco.com/burgundy-crossbody
Read more: Sustainable Style: Where to Buy Eco and Ethical Trainers
As a city that loves style as much as it loves to shop, it’s crucial that Hong Kong begins questioning the impact fast fashion has on our environment. Whilst our streets are scattered with tempting boutiques and shiny shopping malls, there is a way to strike a balance between staying on top of trends and shopping sustainably.
There’s no denying that shoppers are becoming more and more concerned about the impact of their fabric choices on animals, workers and the environment, so leather is quickly becoming a questionable investment. Whether your motivation to make a shift is because of animal cruelty, the health issues affecting workers, or the leather industry’s high carbon footprint, the interest in alternative leathers is impacting what brands are offering us. If you’re finding yourself questioning whether it’s all worth a pair of shoes, these are some of the eco and ethical leather alternatives out there.
Read more: Sustainable Style: Eco and Ethical Local Fashion Brands
Made from: Both DAN & MÉZ and Votch make watches from Piñatex, an innovative fabric created from pineapple leaf fibres.
Bonus points: Piñatex is a by-product of the pineapple harvest that uses no extra resources, whilst offering extra income for farmers. Plus, no extra land, pesticides or fertilisers are used in the production, so the fabric is good for animals and the environment.
www.votch.co.uk/products/rose-gold-and-pinatex-classic
www.danandmez.com
Made from: MATT & NAT use various vegan “leathers” including PU (polyurethane) and PVC (polyvinylchloride) in its bags. PU is less harmful for the environment than PVC, so the company makes it a point to opt for it, continuously working to improve the standards for all materials. Whilst the outer isn’t entirely eco friendly, the bag linings are made from 100% recycled nylon, made out of used plastic bottles!
Editor’s Note: While the Chanda Backpack is no longer available, the brand has some fantastic alternatives. Try the Alex for something similar.
www. mattandnat.com/collections/backpacks
Made from: 100% Piñatex pineapple outer, 100% Cupro Bemberg Cotton Lining. There’s even a detachable collar in organic cotton shearing that can be latched onto any of the natural or metallic leather jackets.
Made from: Recycled plastic bottles and vegan suede inserts. Veja products are made from completely sustainable materials including a range of vegetable tanned leathers, organic and Fairtrade cotton, recycled plastic, wild rubber, jute and hemp (ethically produced in Brazil).
Bonus points: The mesh used by Veja is made from synthetic fibers (PET). A smart fabric, both waterproof and breathable from recycled plastic bottles. The amount of fabric used to make a basket equals three plastic bottles.
Made from: Real tree leaves! Coated with resin, leaves are lightweight but durable. Thamon‘s ethereal designs are made from sustainably sourced birch, lotus and Sal leaves. Each piece is handmade from fallen leaves, hand-dyed and crafted by artisans so every piece is entirely unique. The green leaf handbag is another favourite of ours.
Bonus points: All fallen leaves are collected by people within the local area, meaning that the funds become a source of income to lower income families.
Editor’s Note: The Rachel Leaf Backpack is no longer available. Head here for some stylish alternatives.
www.thamon.co/collections/backpacks
Made from: PETA approved PU (polyurethane), crafted using natural materials (all bags are PVC-free).
Bonus points: These beaut bags are made in China by workers who get fair pay, monitored working hours, complimentary lunches and paid leave. Melie Bianco also operates under a profit sharing model so that employees share in the company’s success.
Editor’s Note: The Burgundy Crossbody is no longer available. Head here for alternatives.
www.meliebianco.com/burgundy-crossbody
Read more: Sustainable Style: Where to Buy Eco and Ethical Trainers
Featured image via Melie Bianco, Image 1 via Votch, Image 2 via MATT & Nat, Image 3 via Altiir, Image 4 via Veja, Image 5 via Thamon, Image 6 via Melie Bianco.
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