The Duchess received a leather handbag from Parisian brand ASHOKA, made entirely of apple leather, which is of course both vegan and eco-friendly. PETA director, Elissa Allen explained to maire claire UK that PETA hope the gift “will encourage the Duchess to make conscious, animal-friendly choices in her wardrobe – and her many admirers to do the same.”
The brand’s ‘BRIGITTE apple vegan leather bag’, is still available to purchase, should you wish to be twinning with Kate. But in case you’re after something different, we’ve included a round-up of six truly vegan handbags that are just as trendy as they are cruelty-free!
1. The Stella Logo Shoulder Bag – Stella McCartney
Always one to put her deeply-held ethical beliefs and values at the heart of her brand, Stella McCartney has been known as one of the leading voices in fashion sustainability for many years. Her handbags are crafted from her signature vegetarian-artificial leather and the brand prides itself on producing sustainability-driven apparel that refrains from compromising elegance, wearability, comfort and style.
Stella McCartney 'Stella Logo Shoulder Bag,' $1,100, farfetch.com
2. Julia Acrylic Chain Crossbody Bag – JW Pei
Since launching in 2016, accessories brand JW Pei instantly dominated the street style scene with its trendy, eco-friendly and affordable designs. In addition to their handbags being 100% vegan leather, the brand also uses recycled bottles to line their products. In case you needed any more convincing, their factories are all certified by GRS (Global Recycling Standards) as well as the Oeko-Tex Standard (all materials can be traced!)
JW Pei 'Julia Acrylic Chain Crossbody Bag,' $57, jwpei.com
3. AZUR Bucket Bag – Matt and Nat
For the last 25 years, Matt and Nat have always been mindful of the importance of providing the handbag-obsessed with well-crafted, cruelty-free pieces. Each year, they experiment with a range of environmentally-friendly materials in their collections, ranging from cork to cardboard and everything in-between!
Matt and Nat 'AZUR Bucket Bag,' $128, mattandnat.com/en_au
4. Soft Peach Tote – Kwonn
"Thoughtfully conscious and sustainably sourced" is the ethos behind New York-based brand, Kwonn. The brand uses only the highest quality vegan suede sourced directly from Japan and all products are free from PVC and toxins that are commonly found in most vegan leather. Their suede tote bag (available in a range of colours to suit everyone), is the perfect carry-all tote that can take you from workday to weekend.
Kwonn 'Soft Peach Tote,' $718, kwonn.co
5. Cottontail Bag – Gunas
Launching from humble beginnings in a Manhattan apartment, Gunas is an ethically made, PVC-free leather goods brand that uses upcycled nylons, vegan textured eco polyurethane, and canvas in replacement of leather. The brand has an incredible variety of designs, but we can't seem to get past the elegant feminity of their Cottontail bag.
Gunas 'Cottontail Bag,' $288, gunasthebrand.com
6. Black White Petite Smuggler – Sans Beast
This Australian owned brand was established in 2017, by fashion industry veteran, Cathryn Wills, after she recognised a disconnect between her professional role and her ethical stance on animal welfare and the environment. In addition to the brand's cruelty-free approach, Sans Beast donates $1 from every purchase to the animal rescue sanctuary Edgars Mission.
Sans Beast 'Black White Petite Smuggler', $139, sansbeast.com
