Luckily, you don’t have to compromise your style in order to be eco-conscious anymore. This have never been truer than in the area of handbags. Enterprising eco-conscious designers and companies are repurposing and reusing materials in innovative and stylish ways and lowering their carbon footprints in the process. Socially conscious fair trade companies also ensure that our love of a good handbag doesn’t come at the expense of others.
UrthBags Eco-Chic Handbags are hand-crafted from recycled materials by Fair Trade Women’s Organizations & Artisans. You are sure to fall in love with the ultra-stylish and oh-so-chic recycled magazine handbags from UrthBags. Each bag features different magazine images making it truly unique and the exterior is made from salvaged plastic.
Image: www.urthbags.com
Monica Ralli, founder of UrthBags has certainly succeeded in creating “a one-of-a-kind line to help inspire people to develop a stronger sense of ecoconsciousness while making a stylish, green fashion statement.” Her handbag line “is not only making its mark in the world of avant-garde fashion, but also in the environmentally conscious community.”
We also adore this kashmir wool crewel work bag from Earth Divas.
Image: www.earthdivas.com
All of Earth Divas’ products are “handmade, natural fiber, fair trade accessories made by women for women from around the world.” Their products are “made by working women’s co-ops and small woman-owned cottage industry producers” and they work directly with the people that make the items without a middleman. Earth Divas’ handbags come in numerous styles and materials which are sure to satisfy even the most discriminating, socially-conscious stylista.
For truly one of a kind upcycled creations, head on over to Etsy, where eco-chic, handcrafted handbags made by extraordinary artisans await.
We love this brown and pink upcycled handbag from anewdesigns made from an old leather jacket.
Image: anewdesigns
Owner and designer of anewdesigns, Donna Martin, lets the original item inspire and guide her ultimate handbag designs with fabulous results. Check out her other inspired repurposed leather bags at www.anewdesigns.etsy.com.
We also think the handbags made from recycled jeans and old neckties by Garage Couture Clothes are divine.
Image: Garage Couture Clothes
Garage Couture Clothes gets all its clothing and materials for upcycling from Humana People to People which helps “support various humanity projects including the fight against HIV, community development, environmental issues and economic development.” Erin Stevens, aka Scrapella, owner and designer of Garage Couture Clothes, also hosts “Scrapwear” parties, which is a fun way to refashion old items in your closet. To see other eclectic eco-friendly items made by Garage Couture Clothes and to learn more about “Scrapwear” parties visit www.garagecoutureclothes.etsy.com and www.scrapella.com.
From the historic and charming seaside resort town of St. Michaels on Maryland’s fabled Eastern Shore, Bay Bags recycles sailcloth from ships that have actually sailed the Chesapeake Bay into unique, one of kind totes. “Sewing the way the wind blows,” with no preconceived pattern, and honoring “the true sailors of the Chesapeake Bay,” Bay Bags vows to keep recycling sailcloth until the “sails dry up” and we sure hope they do. You can check out all of BayBag’s stylish repurposed sailcloth totes at www.baybags.etsy.com.
Image: Bay Bags
Pneu Bags are made from recycled rubber inner tubes by designer Sam Wild-Chick and are motivated “by the threat to the planet and inspired by the natural beauty of her Caribbean surroundings.” All of Sam Wild-Chick’s items are hand-recycled, hand-made, and locally sourced. You can see all her stylish, eco-conscious creations at www.pneubags.etsy.com and www.pneubags.com.
Image: Pneu Bags
-Holly K
