Text, Vivian G. Kelly
Images, from the websites cited in this article.
SHIRALEAH, RIMISTYLE AND BEIJO ARE OUR PICKS FOR STYLISH WELL- PRICED HANDBAG LINES THAT TAKE YOU THOUGH THE DAY, MORNING, NOON & NIGHT FOR A NICE PRICE.
IF YOU DECIDE TO SPLURGE HOWEVER, THERE’S NOTHING BETTER OUT THERE IN THE VEGAN CATEGORY THAN SOME OF STELLA MCCARTNEY’S LATEST BAGS. WHICHEVER YOU CHOOSE, KNOW THAT ALL OF OUR PICKS ARE ANIMAL FRIENDLY.
As we’ve been discovering, there are some great vegan bags out there ie: bags that are not made out of leather. If the word, “plastic” or “PVC” sends a shudder down your spine, take a deep breath and read on.
We’ll admit it – after 4 years at Michael Kors, we’re fabric snobs. It’s hard to go back after having handled [and worn] the most beautiful cashmeres and “butta soft” leathers day in and day out.
There’s a big HOWEVER here – in honor of Earth Day this year, we decided to switch-out our leather Hermes Style Birkins and quilted Chanel evening bag for vegan/eco friendly bags.
Vegan bags got on our radar when we discovered Canadian brand MATT & NATT 2 years ago while attending Toronto/L’OREAL Fashion Week.
Below, we highlight: a large, medium and small bag, that passed our PVC road test, and a few that remain on our wish list.
SHIRALEAH – Their motto, nothing needs to die for the sake of fashion.
The animal friendly polyurethane material used is biodegradable in 10 years, ensuring that each bag has an eco-friendly life cycle. While we’re all for their vegan mandate, the topmost reason we’re a fan is because Shirealeah makes stylish bags that hold-up.
FOR MORNING AND DAY, WE LOVE OUR SHIRALEAH’S VERA TOTE.
We found this large tote just in time for LA Fashion Week. It was large enough to accommodate a 15” MacBook, wallets, makeup bag, and everything else you’d dump into a large handbag. We got a lot of compliments [the color] and a lot of people wanted to touch it once we informed them it wasn’t really leather, including master designer, Donald Pliner!
THE VERA is LARGE, by any standards.
It’s dimensions are L 19" x D 6.5" x H 15"; handle 9". The bubble gum pink lining contrasting with the Kelly green exterior appealed to our dormant preppy streak.
Approximate retail price: $55
*For those who closely follow the trends, Shiraleah’s new CAPRICE satchel covers a multitude of trends: ombre, patent, and green [Fall 2008’s new accent color] not to mention that it looks like Prada’s super hot ombre bag.
Approximate retail price: $68
WHERE TO GET IT:
www.daisythings.com
www.alternativeoutfitters.com
www.shiraleah.com
RIMISTYLE HANDBAGS
MEET THE DESIGNER: Rima Shah, Rimistyle’s Founder and President has experience in just about every aspect of the fashion industry you can think of: retail, wholesale, buying, selling, personal shopping, fashion styling and in all types of categories from clothing, bags, belts, shoes and jewelry.
States Rima, “ I swear by fashion accessories. I came to understand one thing - NO ensemble is complete without accessories. In fact – after seeing the wonders that can be created just by adding a belt, handbag or necklace – who needs new clothing? Accessories are the outfit!”
Two things attracted us to Rimistyle.
#1: the bags have a soft hand despite the fact that they are actually synthetic, NOT leather.
#2: They made a great mid-size East-West Bag we could see ourselves carrying about this summer, on days we’re not toting around the laptop.
OUR CHOICE: The “MODERN BUBBLE TOTE” in white – only to be worn after Memorial Day, of course! The ruched RIMI Bubble Bag is a nice [and much more inexpensive] take on the hot Hayden Bag by Hayden Panettiere and Dooney & Bourke. It’s embellished with silver grommet, stone and a detachable chunky metal chain detail you can clip on for the days you’re feeling like a rock star and want to look like one.
Approximate dimensions: 14"(H) x 19" (L)
Approximate Retail price: $58
WHERE TO FIND IT:
www.rimistyle.com
BEIJO [London, Paris, New York®
Everyone needs an evening bag and that black one you already own is a basic, and well…boring.
We found a great little trapezoid patent bag from BEIGO that has that a Lana Marks feeling but minus the hefty price tag. Hermes and Lana Marks have long made structured mini bags and they offer a fresh alternative to the floppy silk pouch- bags you might otherwise consider. When you take it out, you’ll feel more like a pulled together Lady DI rather than a boho Talitha Getty when you go out with your little “FIRST DATE” Beijo.
This little gem is made of durable Polyvinyl to which a combination of special materials is added to give the signature pearlescent finish.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER: Founder and designer, Susan Handley, first started designing handbags when she was ten. What she stared as a home party business has grown into a thriving brand that’s getting recognition across the United States.
FUN FACT: Beijo means "Kiss" in Portugese.
Approximate retail price: $45-129.
WHERE TO FIND IT:
Available online, select boutiques and through home parties.
www.beijosignaturecollection.com
STELLA MCCARTNEY – FASHION’S OFFICIAL VEGAN QUEEN
Neiman’s included a lStella McCartneys vegan bags [PVC and cloth] we liked enough to make a trip to her West Hollywood store to see what else she had on tap for spring/summer. While Stella’s bags are out of our price range, we liked what we saw, especially her “flower print shopper”. Even though the bags are in the $1,000 range, they’re substantially less expensive than many leather designer bags.
WHERE TO FIND STELLA MCCARNTEY BAGS:
www.neimanmarcus.com
www.stellamccartney.com