Gosbags

Founded in 2018, Gosbags makes durable, functional vegan bags that are built to withstand everyday wear and tear while also looking good.  Founders, Regina and Nick, wanted to create a line of bags that encapsulated the idea of casual style while also having a positive impact.  They did this by committing to make all of their bags 100% vegan.  But the positive impact didn’t stop there.  According to Regina and Nick,

“(a)s the project evolved, we knew that supporting a worthy animal cause would be a perfect fit to align with everything we were trying to accomplish. After thorough research, Best Friends Animal Society became the perfect choice. Best Friends is a non-profit organization that operates the nation’s largest sanctuary for homeless animals and is leading the nationwide movement to bring about a time when there are no homeless pets.”

I was fortunate enough back in 2009 to visit the Best Friend Sanctuary in Kanab, Utah and it made such an impact on me and my life choices.  Best Friends does amazing animal advocacy work and it was after this trip that I took the step from eating a plant-based diet to becoming full on vegan, so they hold a special place in my heart.  The lovely folks at Gosbags donate 5% of every sale to Best Friends Animal Society…how sweet is that?

So… lucky me, I got to try out a few of Gosbags fabulous bags.  Read on to find out what I thought!

Backpack Purse

For a while now, I have been looking for a medium-sized, fashionable backpack that I can take with me when I go out and about on the weekends.  The Backpack Purse was just what I was looking for.  Available in an assortment of fun colors (I got the orange!), this backpack is made from high-quality, durable canvas with vegan leather detailing.  One of the features that I liked right away was the lobster claw like clasp that will keep your things safe, but isn’t a hassle when you want to access your stuff.  This bag comes with an inside zip pocket as well as two additional interior slip pockets for your phone or sunglasses.  The only thing that I wish this bag did have is a snap or drawstring closure, just to make extra sure everything stays in place.  I took this backpack with me to a flea market in the city last weekend and it was lightweight and comfortable to wear and I could also use it to stash some of my smaller purchases.

Everyday Tote

Whether I am hauling my laptop and papers to and from work or groceries home from the grocery store, I like to have a good, reliable tote bag.  Having one that is stylish and vegan…even better! Gosbags makes a great Everyday Tote that is roomy (15″ h x 13″w x 6″ d) and durable.  Available in six different colors, I got the super cute grey and orange combo.  This bag has a really nice flat bottom so you don’t need to worry about things tipping over inside.  In addition it has a large outside slip pocket, interior zip and slip pocket, key holder, top snap and a water bottle holder!

The Crossbody Purse

There are certain bags that I feel every woman should own.  A good cross body is one of those bags.  The Crossbody Purse really is the perfect bag for everybody for everyday!  Just the right size to fit all of your essentials, this bag is lightweight and versatile.  It comes with an adjustable canvas strap so you wear it as a cross body or a should bag.  With an interior zippered pocket and top flap and magnetic snap closure, you can rest assured that your things will stay nice and secure inside this lovely canvas bag.  As with all of the other Gosbags, the Crossbody Purse comes in a nice assortment of colors.  I ended up selecting the black one…I know, how boring of me, but you can’t ever have too many black bags…right?!

So if you are in the market for a great, durable, everyday vegan bag, I suggest you check out Gosbags.  Great bags that give back!

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Started by Natália Guerreiro and Vítor Lopes, Corkor is made, start to finish, in a workshop in Portugal. With an eye on creating quality vegan products that are fairly sourced and reasonably priced, Corkor has succeed in creating a 100% sustainable, vegan and eco-friendly alternative to leather that you can wear with pride.  The folks at Corkor don’t just create beautiful bags and accessories, they are also committed to helping the environment.

“Sustainability is one of the biggest issues of our times. It touches many aspects of our lives, right down to the materials we choose to buy. In these defining times where our choices can and will define the future of the planet, cork stands out as the number one eco–friendly raw material.

At Corkor, we feel we can truly make a difference by providing people with a premium, eco–friendly alternative to other highly polluting products. Cork is good for the environment in more than one way: recyclable, reusable and sustainable, cork is also a high–end alternative to leather. Beautiful, sustainable and vegan accessories are our contribution to a better, greener world.”

So this all sounds really cool…but I bet you’re wondering how Corkor’s products look and feel…right? Well lucky for you…and me…Corkor sent me one of their amazing vegan backpacks to test out.It is hard to believe that this backpack is made out of cork. It is incredibly soft but also sturdy. It has a drawstring closure with an additional flap and magnetic closure to make sure that all of your belongings stay safe and sound. The interior is nicely lined and has one zipped pocket as well as a strap with a latch to keep your keys on.  This bag is incredibly lightweight which is perfect if you are like me and carry around a ton of stuff.   Available in five colors, you can have a different cork backpack for every outfit.

Head on over to Corkor to check out their backpacks and all of the other cool vegan bags and accessories that they offer and see for yourself what amazing things can be done with cork.

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According to Veggani’s website “… founder and Designer Laura de Waal’s goal in starting Veggani was to create stylish, functional, quality handbags that do not compromise our ethics but promote them. All of our handbags reflect our commitment to being socially responsible, environmentally conscious and animal friendly. One of the key elements of VEGGANI’s mission is to not only help impoverished communities, but to bring awareness to them. We use high quality materials that are often recycled and/or repurposed. When possible, we work with and support smaller factories and artisan workshops. These efforts are never easy and require much more attention, research and heart than creating a product without a conscious.”

Ahhhhhhh.  So good…right?  You know what’s even better?  Veggani’s bags are beautifully made, chic and fashion forward.  Let me show you!

The lovely people at Veggani let me choose which bag of theirs I wanted to review, so I chose the Malala.  Let me start by saying that I love this bag so much that it is now my everyday bag.  The Malala is a versatile bag as it is both a shoulder bag and a backpack.  How cool is that?   Veggani uses high quality vegan leather that is incredibly soft yet durable and the lining of the Malala is made from recycled plastic bottles.

To top it all off, some of the metal hardware on their handbags was created by artisans in a remote village in the Xieng Khouang Province in Northern Laos. The artisans create the hardware using recycled aluminum from Vietnam war era bombs.  There is so much good going on here people and it’s so good looking!

I am always a fan of pockets and compartments and the Malala does not disappoint.  There are two separate main zipper compartments, a smaller side zip pocket (perfect for my keys) and an internal zip pocket along with two pouches for cellphones.  The straps fit comfortably whether you are wearing it as a shoulder bag or a backpack.  Below is a photo of the Malala as a backpack.

There are several other fabulous bags available at  http://www.veggani.com/ from shoulder bags to clutches, all are vegan, all are made with compassion for people, animals and the environment.  So head on over to Veggani and show some love to our new vegan fashion friends.  Your closet will thank you!

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Now I don’t know about you, but when I think of bags made out of cork, I don’t usually think of fashion-forward design, that is until I discovered EVE.  Handcrafted in Portugal from natural premium cork fabric, EVE’s designs are super stylish and the colors are amazing.  When you see these bags, you won’t believe that they are made from cork because they are like nothing you’ve ever seen before!  Take a look!

The Eiffel Messenger is a versatile handbag that can be worn as a cross body with the detachable shoulder strap, or as a wristlet.  The studded detailing gives this bag a cool, rocker vibe while still being stylish and functional.

I am currently coveting the Itza Satchel.  This adorable structured handbag has two top handles and a front flap closure.   Available in two color blocked choices, black/white and red/navy, this satchel will make you feel like the perfect lady, like you should be heading off to tea with girlfriends where you will eat tiny cucumber sandwiches with no crusts.

For a great everyday bag that will help you carry around all of your essentials in style, EVE has the beautiful Suez Satchel that will do just the trick.  This bag has a great front flap magnetic closure over a full zip closure to keep all of your things nice and secure in addition to having several multifunction interior zippered pockets to keep you organized.  This bag is available in three colors.  Check out the stunning dark blue version below.

In addition to handbags, EVE also makes some lovely wallets.  The Luna is my personal favorite.  With a sleek, minimalist design, this wallet is good looking and has functionality for days.   It is full of all sorts of compartments for your cash, ID, receipts and credit cards while still managing to stay slim and compact.

So as you can see, it is possible to be fashionable while also supporting a sustainable, vegan lifestyle.  EVE Products makes it easy.

Images source and credit for all images: EVE Products

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I can attribute my obsession with handbags to my mother. She was from a generation that believed that you had to have a bag to match every pair of shoes to make the perfectly assembled outfit.  Needless to say, she had quite the collection of handbags.

Now my style is not nearly as formulaic as my mother’s, but I did inherit her love of handbags of all shapes, styles and colors. I am constantly on the lookout for bags that are durable, functional, stylish, and of course vegan. So when LANY asked me to do a review of their vegan handbags for Chic Vegan, you know this girl jumped at the chance.

Located in Los Angeles, founders Robert and Jane’s vision behind LANY is to “…create fashion-driven, affordable yet uncompromising quality handbags.” Well let me tell you people, they’ve done it and done it well.

So let me introduce you to LANY handbags so you can see for yourself!

Appropriately named, Love at First Sight is a great bag full of sass. But don’t let that sparkly exterior fool you, this
bag is not just another pretty face.  Full of functionality, Love at First Site has lots of useful compartments and pockets, so you can keep everything nicely organized.  The chain link straps add to the chic sophistication of this compact shoulder bag.  Available in green, navy, pewter, purple and black (shown), you can have a bag to go with every outfit!

The Buckle Me Up cross body bag is all class. This ladylike bag has a timeless style that goes well with any outfit, day or night.  With a convenient long strap, this bag can be worn as a cross body or on your wrist with the top handle if you prefer.  The top flap has a magnetic buckle closure that opens up to reveal an interior lined with several convenient compartments and pockets.  Available in beige, black or brown (shown) Buckle Me Up bag is a staple that should live in everyone’s closet.

We all have tons of things that we lug around on a daily basis, so why not do it in style with the Studded Feet Barrel bag. With its bottom covered in heavy metal studs, this oversized barrel bag has a cool rock n roll vibe.  Because I mean, who couldn’t use a li
ttle rock n roll in their life, right?  This bag is available in a rainbow of colors with my personal favorite being the turquois featured below.

LANY has a wide assortment of styles to choose from and no matter which bag you choose, you can be guaranteed that you will get a beautifully made, high-quality handbag that makes a statement. The only question left is, what statement do you want to make?

Images source and credit for all images: LANY Handbags

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Jordana Paige handbags are made from high-quality vegan “leather”. The designs are pocket-centric, featuring more pockets than the average handbag to keep everything organized. Jordana started designing bags because she had an idea for a knitting bag that was classy on the outside and filled with pockets for organizing a knitting project and daily essentials inside. Jordana works as a solo-preneur, meaning her company is a one-woman show. In addition to designing bags, she writes every social media post, responds to every email, and answers every phone call.

I love my new Cora bag. It’s an organizer’s dream come true! It has a large interior pocket, several smaller zippered pouches, a dedicated compartment for a tablet or small notebook, and pouches for a cell phone, business cards, and whatever else you need to have at the ready. There’s also an exterior pocket that can detach and be used as a wristlet for a night on the town! The Cora bag features two handles for carrying it on your arm, but there’s also a detachable strap for carrying it on your shoulder or wearing it across the body. The bag is made from vegan faux crosshatch leather and adorned with gold metallic hardware. I’ve only been using it for a few days, but I’m already getting lots of compliments. This bag is built to last, and its design is classically timeless, so I can see myself carrying it around for years to come. My bag is dark green, but it also comes in dusty rose, dove gray and lavender.

Cora is Jordana Paige’s medium-sized bag. There’s also the Bella, which is smaller and Quinn, which is larger. All of them are equally gorgeous.

Jordana has generously offered a Cora bag to one lucky Chic Vegan winner. To enter for a chance to win, follow the instructions below. US residents only, please. Contest ends at midnight on July 10^th. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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I am of course very much for the longevity of items such as handbags, which I do not have the money to buy on a frequent basis. How to deal with the disappoint of finding out a treasured item does not have longevity one expects is a difficult situation, because writing emails to complain to designers can be fruitless. Being a long-term vegan I have no wish to damage the vegan handbag industry (and I will not be buying any dead animal skin replacement handbags), however the relativity short lifespan of this not over-used handbag needs to be noted. I am thus drawing attention to my vegan handbag demise as an ethical concern and plea for designers and companies to strive towards eco vegan leather longevity.

To some 2009 might seem way past its sell by date from the point of view of fashion and longevity, but trust me, this handbag out styled many designer bags and was a classic in good design; a credit to the designer. The only flaw is the fabric. I have vintage non-leather handbags, which are still in good condition. Some modern faux leathers are less durable than others, but from the point of view of the user, one needs to know what the lifespan of the bag will be. If the user knows at 4 years into the handbag’s existence a fabric self-destruction process is predicted to manifest, the handbag, at this stage, can have seen as so much usage the by the user the bag’s life termination date will not be so troublesome.

Some bags, belts and shoes last longer than others whether they are vegan or non-vegan. The durability of designs and craftsmanship is to be encouraged in our cultures built on constantly changing fashions. Being able to properly recycle an item so it does not become landfill fodder generating toxicity to humans, non-humans and environments should be a virtue all manufactures attempt and achieve in our toxic world. How long do we have to wait for the easy recycling of everything? Science and technology are capable of so much, and by now in this age of anthropocenic acceleration, all things whatever they are and however they are made, should be non-toxic to the planet and its occupants.

Have you experienced the deterioration of vegan faux leather products? How have you dealt with it?

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If you’re anything like me, finding a good bag – and by “good” I mean one that will comfortably carry my entire world without falling apart after a couple of months – that’s also leather-free – is about as easy as doing a full headstand in yoga class. Things are complicated further by the fact that I’m a total handbag fanatic – any old bag won’t do. I have to be completely in love with The Right Bag before any credit-card flashing happens. So let’s just say I fell head over heels more than once when I discovered vegan handbag brand Jill Milan, founded by Jill Fraser and Milan Lazich in 2010.

Entirely free from fur and leather (hooray!) and handmade by Italian artisans, the bags come in all shapes and sizes to fit any lifestyle occasion – roomy daytime totes mingle with flirty evening clutches neatly mixed with the odd briefcase and travel bag.

As it often happens with fashion, celebs are often the first ones to jump on a hot new trend – and if Jill Milan’s impressive gallery of stars is anything to go by, the new Hollywood It bags are vegan. Oscar winners Anne Hathaway and Jennifer Lawrence have been seen carrying the bags as well as Carrie Underwood, Eva Longoria and Kerry Washington. Accessories that are stylish as well as compassionate – now that’s one star choice we can totally get behind.

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Designer and founder Nadya Asti-Rose graduated from the fashion design program at Blanche Macdonald School in Vancouver in 1997.  After spending a number of years in the fashion industry, she recently launched her own collection (Taska, pronounced Tash-ka, is the Hungarian word for bag or purse.).  

Each bag is made in Canada, using all cruelty-free materials.  These are important ingredients to Nadya, who states, “As a vegetarian I had such a hard time finding accessories that were non-leather that I liked.  I felt that the combination of domestic made and cruelty free was a perfect marriage and I haven’t looked back.  The Fall/Winter 2012 collection is the debut of the label.”

With simple lines and versatile colors, these bags might be a perfect gift for a girlfriend, sister, or you!

Taska bags can be found at a number of locations in the U.S. and Canada.  Visit the website, or shop online at the Etsy store.

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If you think quality vegan bags aren’t easy to come by, think again. It only takes a lazy Sunday afternoon of online shopping to find some hidden treasures – bags that are practical and functional and that will add a stylish touch to your fall look, all while staying compassionate.

Prices range from couture (hello, Stella McCartney) to wallet-friendly (H&M and ASOS), and coming in a variety of colors and shapes, it seems like the new season has a little something for everyone.

Here are Chic Vegan’s picks

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