I have to admit that although I am vegan (not lifelong), I have a hard time not using or buying leather bags and shoes. I will eventually, but it will be via baby steps! That’s why I support the new recycled leather handbag trend – really made stylish in my opinion, by Ashley Watson – of designers using vintage/thrifted leather jackets, pants, furniture, etc., to refashion into handbags.
Another interesting leather handbag designer is Ignes. I had heard of the brand before, but had no idea of their social responsibility until seeing one of Ignes bags on Fashion Philanthropy (save 20% with code GRECHEN):
According to an interview on oligoville recently with Maria Estrada, co-owner of Ignes Handbags, “all the leathers are by-products of the meat industry and come from animals bred in free range farms.”
And from what I found on their own website, they are very much involved in the local economy and community in Uruguay, helping to advance community members by:
- Creating job opportunities in Uruguay for its growing team or artisans, and providing them an environment where they can look forward to advancement.
- Treating its artisans well and making them feel appreciated, with wages that are above-average for the local industry; and providing them with great input into strategic production issues, for example the location of the production facility was chosen by the artisans as it was close to their homes.
- Utilizing leathers that are a by-product of Uruguay’s meat industry, from reputable tanneries with responsible environmental practices.
- Using resources carefully; whether they are small leather pieces left over from making handbags, which are used for pouches or keyrings; electricity, or any other input that is needed for production. Additionally, IGNES donates small pieces of leather left over from production to a rehabilitation center for children where the leathers are used to create hand and wrist braces.
Eco-fashion isn’t all about organic cotton – it’s just as much (or more) about the designers or companies business practices and their commitments to fair trade, and their involvement in their communities. Leather may not be ideal, but the fact is that the majority of the world is not going to stop eating meat – so as a realist, I would choose to support a company like Ignes who is at least shunning big factory farms in favor of local, free-range farms. It’s a small change in the right direction in my opinion.
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