While veganism is often portrayed in commercial media as being at odds with a love of high-end fashion, Sydney-based entrepreneur and ethical style advocate Drieli Roveda set about to prove otherwise. The result of her uncompromising vision, hard work and tenaciousness? Vegan handbag site, Ethical Gallery.
This Australian PETA-approved online store curates eco luxe vegan bags so stylish, that even your non-vegan friends will fall in love. All designer handbags in its collection have been carefully selected by Drieli Roveda, an animal-lover with a penchant for luxury fashion.
The entire Ethical Gallery range is 100% cruelty-free, which means no animals have been – or ever will be – exploited, used, harmed or killed in the making of their bags. The bags are also ethically-made by skilled artisans, in small studios or certified factories that adhere to the highest of work standards.
This responsible business also strives to minimise its environmental impact in all areas of its operations but is highly aware that in vegan bags, as in modern life, there is no such thing as 100% sustainability. Still, they know that many of their customers care about both ethics and the planet.
To assist their eco-conscious vegan customers, the brand has devoted an entire page on their website to their most sustainable vegan handbags to make eco-friendly vegan bags easier to find.
This attention to detail and customer-focus is evident through its site. An ode to eco luxury Ethical Gallery is impeccably designed, easy-to-navigate and features brilliantly-captured product images that perfectly showcases the bags on offer.
Browsing the website, you’ll find a variety of fashionable vegan handbags to suit any occasion such as crossbody bags, embellished clutch bags through to tote bags and shoulder bags. The bags also come in a variety of materials, from natural biodegradable textiles such as bamboo and cork, through to recycled fabrics.
When this recently-launched Aussie brand reached out to collaborate, we couldn’t say no. It gave us the perfect excuse to get up close and personal with some of its most in demand vegan bag styles:
1. Cherie Mini Crossbody Bag by Melie Bianco
This signature studded and boxy-shaped crossbody bag by Melie Bianco is made from PU (premium faux leather) and is one of its most popular styles. Adjust the straps and it can be worn as a shoulder bag as well. Perfect on and off the street. It also comes in a tan colour.
The brand Melie Bianco is LA-based but owns its factories in China ensuring full quality control and adherence to the highest of ethical standards.
2. Jules Bucket Bag in bordeaux by Angela Roi
The fervour around Angela Roi’s bucket bag could be down to its minimalist design and superior finishing. Because of its generous size, this vegan luxury bag can also be used as a tote bag, perfect for the busy woman who requires ample bag space to carry around documents, notebooks and organisers. For those wanting more practicality, the bag also comes in black and light grey. It also comes with a beautiful zip purse to keep stray coins from wandering to the bag’s bottom.
This exquisitely crafted designer bag is designed in New York, made from high quality faux leather and handcrafted by skilled artisans in South Korea.
3. Envelope Clutch Bag by MeDusa
This exquisite eco luxe vegan bag by MeDusa is made from recycled vinyl salvaged from the automotive industry. Handmade in their local studio in Tel Aviv, Israel, the bag is embossed with a unique floral design and has a removable strap, transforming it from a shoulder bag to envelope clutch bag when required. This bag comes in two colours, black/gold and and white/gold and ideal for a special occasion where you want to make a bold (ethical) fashion statement and need room to carry a handful of vegan-cosmetics, phone and purse.
4. Slim Clutch XL Vegan Bag by MeDusa
This MeDusa bag is crafted similarly to the Envelope Clutch, except its slim design means it can only hold basic essentials. Strictly a clutch bag, its dimensions are much smaller at 26cm x 19cm x 3cm. It comes in four block colours: black, white, yellow and blue.
5. Reed Geometric Shoulder Bag by Melie Bianco
The geometric shape of this Melie Bianco shoulder bag is a refreshing new design that brings a 70s vibe to the present moment. Made from premium faux leather and adding a chain strap to its silhouette, the bag goes from retro fascination to this season’s must-have in an instant. This cool vegan bag also comes in black, for those seeking a more classic addition to their modern vegan wardrobes.
6. Cate Cork Clutch Bag by Nina Bernice
The Cate Cork Clutch bag is designed in Melbourne by start-up vegan accessories label Nina Bernice. Made from cork fabric derived from cork oak trees, the bag is sustainable AND cruelty-free. This environmentally-responsible vegan company also gives back to the community, partnering with WeForest to plant a tree for every bag it sells. Demonstrating compassion to animals, people and planet, this is a vegan designer handbag brand to really get behind.
7. Astrid Vegan Clutch by OOD
This intricately-designed vegan bag is carefully handcrafted in Italy by OOD in their Rome studio. Made from the company’s own patented Ligneah?, a revolutionary premium sustainable textile made from wood and cotton, and Jacroki?, an innovative vegetable textile, this is a conscious brand pushing the boundaries of cruelty-free and eco design.
In addition, OOD plants a tree for each bag sold and provides you with a unique code so you can trace where the tree has been planted. Yay to transparency!
Ethical Gallery stocks the bag in fuchsia, yellow and black.
8. Natalie Cork Crossbody Bag by Nina Bernice
Every conscious woman should have at least one cork bag dangling in their closet, and this one by Nina Bernice is perfect for the eco luxury worshipper. The gold detailing is super elegant and the straps can be adjusted enabling you to wear it as a shoulder bag or crossbody bag. It’s also lightweight and water-resistant so if you want to make this your everyday statement handbag, you can.
9. Morning Crossbody Bag by Angela Roi
Curating a capsule vegan wardrobe? Need a day-to-day handbag without the side of animal cruelty? You can’t go past this classic Morning Crossbody bag by Angela Roi. Made for the busy, modern women, this all-in-one elegant bag will fulfil the toughest daily requirements, whether you’re going to work, rushing around doing errands or heading out for the evening. The adjustable straps can take it from practical crossbody bag to functional shoulder bag without missing a stylish step. Sick of wearing black and want something fresh? It comes in ivory and bordeaux also.
With new handbag styles added regularly to the site, Ethical Gallery is serious in its mission – to arm conscious women with handbags that add value to their style and helps them hold firm on their cruelty-free principles.
The business firmly believes stylish vegan bags can change the world. We absolutely agree.
To shop its eco-luxe bags, head over to www.ethicalgallery.com.au.
Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Ethical Gallery. Specific product information is checked with the company. Eco Warrior Princess strives to work only with brands that meet our high ethical standards. For more information about our ad policies, click here.
