Ethical fashion has seen a sharp increase for the last two years — the pandemic and rising awareness both being key factors. With vegan leather and other sustainable alternatives, fashion forces have come together to bring new styles in the good ‘ol leather look, using vegan materials. Here’s a few great choices if you’re looking to make a conscious upgrade to your wardrobe.
TOMS
With a wide variety of colours and styles, Toms has something for every vegan, vegetarian, and animal lover. The Vegan Collection includes sneakers, slip-ons, and espadrilles, catering to everyone’s choice and taste.
MOKOBARA
Backed by Deepika Padukone, Mokobara’s goal is to change the travel accessories space. From backpacks, luggage, totes, and slings to wallets, the brand offers functional options. And the best part? It’s all vegan. Crafted with vegan leather facia and water-resistant nylon fabric, this sleek backpack is designed thoughtfully, and comes with a padded laptop compartment that fits up to a 15-inch laptop or a MacBook Pro up to 15.4 inches with a large opening for easy access. The interior organisation comes with pen pockets, zippers, and slip pockets, as well as a magnetic pocket to store your important add-ons such a passport, boarding pass, and your phone.
BIRKENSTOCK
A classic style from Birkenstock, the Arizona sandal has been a timeless design for decades, and has been upgraded to a vegan version now. The footbed of the footwear is made out of cork-latex, whereas the upper straps are of skin-friendly microfiber. Giving off a sophisticated look with a matte finish, the Arizona sandal reminisces of natural leather, while being 100% vegan.
ZOUK
Zouk is a homegrown PETA-approved vegan brand that offers accessories and footwear in quirky prints. This crossbody bag comes in a stylish motif pattern with a Mughal artwork print. Made out of vegan leather and handicraft fabric along with a water-resistant lining, the bag comes with a zip closure and adjustable single-shoulder straps. An ideal piece to store your everyday essentials such as a wallet, power bank, a small bottle, diary, phone, and charger. Apart from daily use, this makes for a functional travel sling as well.
EUME
A classic duffle bag but make it vegan — an ideal option to stuff in your workout essentials. Eume’s Made in India Dragonfly Collection is made of premium vegan leather and comes with a cotton drill lining inside. It comes in three shades — black, basil green, and rubber brown. Easy to carry, this dual-toned duffel bag transitions effortlessly from a gym bag to being a short-trip luggage bag with roomy interiors. With five inner pockets, an adjustable sling, and double handles to give you a good grip, it can be carried over the shoulder, slung over the shoulder, or held by hand.
MOON RABBIT
Another homegrown brand, Moon Rabbit is championing vegan leather-based bags. Apart from bags, the brand also offers tech accessories, planters, and desk essentials. This gold and teal coloured card holder comes with four card slot, a centre compartment to add currency bills and other cards — a hassle-free add-on in your wallets easily or directly slipped in your pockets or cross-body bags.
OUTHOUSE
Outhouse is a homegrown independent label started by Kaabia and Sasha Grewal, and is known for its dramatic jewellery and vegan handbags. This OH V Birdy Phone bag is consciously handcrafted with scarlet red patent vegan leather, and the silhouette of this accessory is struck with Outhouse’s monogram in gunmetal finish. An overall versatile design, the bag comes with a detachable chain and belt that can be adjusted as per one’s desire. A stylish tech accessory boasts of statement and it-piece, all in one.
