16 Eco-friendly leather handbag brands we love
Are you looking for a timeless, leather handbag that is ethically made with eco-friendly materials? Then you’ve come to the right place. At COSH!, we collected 16 stylish and sustainable handbag labels located in Belgium and The Netherlands. When you buy a high-quality handbag that is produced close to home, you reduce your ecological footprint. Moreover, leather can last a lifetime. Thus, you don't have to buy a new one every year, which makes it a smart investment! Curious about our tips? Make sure to read on!
1. Pure x Awardt
Pure and Awardt are turning 20! That deserves a celebration and what better way than through a collaboration between these two fair fashion shops. Meet their new design, the 100% PURE bag. This handbag has loads of space, so you can easily put away all your purchases during a local shopping trip. The design is timeless and suitable for all occasions, because Pure stands for aesthetics that last. The pockets on the front bring to the bag a playful touch and the crowning feature is that this bag is made from eco-leather.
2. Mien Kaba
In the workshop of Mien Kaba in Sint-Andries, near Brugge, you can make an appointment to create the handmade bag of your dreams. Dominique is a real craftswoman and all handbags are made to measure. This way, Mien Kaba avoids overstock and only creates unique pieces by the customers’ request. Dominique is very passionate about her job and uses different kinds of leather, including fish leather. Do you want to become an owner of a unique Mien Kaba? Take a look below to discover more information about the atelier!
3. Monsak
Looking for a made-to-measure handbag concept in The Netherlands? Then Monsak in Amsterdam is the place to be. Margriet has always been passionate about bags but could never find the perfect bag that fitted all her needs. That’s why she started working with her mother's leather machine to create her own handbags. A hobby quickly became a successful business, Monsak. In 2012 Magriet opened her studio in Amsterdam where she makes unique and minimalistic bags. All bags are made from rescued leather, which was previously rejected by large fashion houses that have strict quality rules. Margriet turns this leather into timeless backpacks, shoulder bags, crossbody bags and shoppers.
Do you already have your dream bag in mind, Monsak also works made-to-measure. Feeling creative and want to learn how to make your own handbag? Then you can follow a workshop at her atelier. To top it off, when your Monsak breaks down, Margriet can bring it back to life. This way you have a bag you can enjoy for years!
4. Award/t
The Belgian brand Award/t makes iconic handbags for distinctive, self-confident women. The brands’ vision is: "Don't hide your unique traits, flaunt them". The accessory brand was founded by Wies and Els and is completely female-powered! All bags are handmade in Belgium in their workshop in Mechelen. You can find their models in several colours and shapes.
5. MYoMY
You might already know this brand from the iconic leather MY PAPER BAG, but MYoMY has many more beautiful leather bags to offer nowadays! At MYoMY, ethical production and quality are top priorities. The aim is for you to enjoy your purchase for years to come. At COSH! we are fans of that approach!
MYoMY's production is done ethically in two small-scale factories in Bangladesh and India. Moreover, the bags are made from ecologically tanned leather and recycled materials. Looking for a vegan bag? No worries! MYoMY also experiments with different vegan materials with a leather look like AppleSkin.
Want to read more about the brand? Then click here. Or look around the MYoMY shop in the '9 streets' in Amsterdam and ask for advice. Moreover, MYoMY can be found at many other sustainable shops, where exactly they are, you can find on the map below the brand screening.
6. Studio Roem
Looking for a leather shopper, fanny pack, wallet or another leather accessory such as a belt? Studio Roem produces it on demand at their own workshop in Amsterdam! Studio Roem's products are carefully put together with love from high-quality European leather, every piece of leather is used.
All leather goods are timeless and designed with inspiration from nature. Each bag is unique and will last for years. That's why Studio Roem offers a 100-year guarantee, eternal glory! Nice detail: you can have Studio Roem's leather goods engraved with a personal message. Want to know more about the brand? Then read on here.
7. Mieke Dierckx
Belgian designer Mieke Dierckx started her brand in 2012 and gets inspired by 'everyday life'. The bags in her collection are timeless, minimalistic and have a unique design. All handbags are designed in Mieke's workshop in Westerlo and are handmade in a small workshop in Portugal, with whom she sustains a close relationship.
Mieke Dierckx makes handbags and purses in limited editions and also creates unique pieces from time to time. You can certainly go there for an elegant leather bag with a Belgian design. The bags are available in various colours and are not seasonal.
8. O My Bag
Are you looking for the perfect bag that fits every outfit and various occasions for years? Then chances are you'll find it at Amsterdam-based brand O My Bag. Paulien Wesselink founded the brand in 2011 with the aim of giving something back to the community and the environment.
The handbags and wallets are made from high-quality leather that is tanned without harmful chemicals. The production of O My Bag takes place in India and China, in factories with whom the brand has been collaborating for years. Moreover, O My Bag won the Sustainable Leather Awards in 2015 and is a Certified B Corporation.
9. Sofie Darche
Are you looking for a timeless leather bag with a clean look? Then a bag from Sofie Darche may be the perfect fit for you. Bags from this Antwerp brand are handmade, partly by Sofie Darche herself in Antwerp and partly in a certified workshop in Romania. The bags are made from European leather that is tanned in Italy. The material lasts a long time and has good resistance against dirt and water.
Craftsmanship, sustainability and transparency are key for Sofie Darche. To avoid overproduction and waste she only works on the demand. In addition, all bags are timeless, so you can enjoy your Sofie Darche for a long time.
10. Lies Mertens
At Lies Mertens you'll find minimalistic handbags, designed in Belgium and produced in Portugal from 100% lambs leather. For designer Lies Mertens it all started with a search for a versatile, high-quality purse without frills. That’s why her first bags are very personal and reflect her own needs and taste.
Today, each design is inspired by real people who intrigue her: a homage to their lives, dreams and ideals. The striking thing about the bags of Lies Mertens is that she puts people she knows to work to design and develop their handbags. Discover the sustainable handbags by Lies Mertens at Made By Hand in Antwerp or at the brand's own flagship store, also in Antwerp.
11. Ms. Bay
Did you know salmon skins can be turned into stylish bags? Antwerp-based brand Ms. Bay makes it happen! Founders Saskia Aelen and Lawrence Dedroog started the brand because they were concerned about the unsustainable nature of fast fashion.
Salmon skins are a waste product of the fishing industry. Only 1% of all salmon skins are currently recycled. So why not use them to make bags? The salmon skin used by Ms. Bay comes from sustainable fisheries in Europe and is tanned with 100% vegetable materials. The bags themselves are ethically produced in India. The result? A chic handbag with a unique story!
12. HOIHOI
Still keen to keep your beloved leather handbag, but do you think it could use a refurbishment? HOIHOI is a professional repair service for luxury shoes, belts, and designer handbags. With HOIHOI's help, your bag can be restored to its full glory and stains can be removed from the leather. For years of extended wear.
The leather repair workshop is located behind a residential house in Oosterzele, near Ghent, but HOIHOI offers a fully digital service as well.
Do you prefer a vegan bag? We’ve got you!
13. koda amsterdam
koda amsterdam's circular bags are ethically made in Dutch workshops. With an eye for quality, cutting scraps of curtain fabric, furniture upholstery and tents are transformed into stylish pouches, bags, cushions and plaids. Note: not all bags are 100% vegan, as some have leather handles.
koda amsterdam is proof that circularity, social employment and style go hand in hand. Curious about koda's full story? Read on here.
14. La Femme Garniture
Looking for a totebag made from a unique fabric? At Ghent-based brand La Femme Garniture, you will find bags made of colourful knits. While the fabric of these is vegan, the handles are made of leather.
The entire collection is Belgian-made and most of the materials come from Western Europe. In short, La Femme Garniture completes your outfit with its unique statement bags. Want to read more about the brand? Click here.
Buy La Femme Garniture here
15. Shakosse
‘Shakosse’ means handbag in West-Flemish and is also a circular brand founded by 18-year old Warre. He makes all the handbags himself by hand in West-Flanders, using second-hand fabrics such as fabric from a second-hand shop or his own grandmother's fabric. This makes each bag unique! One bag has a flower print, the other is made from denim or has a check pattern, ... Warre strives to make handbags for everyone! With Shakosse he wants to break gender stereotypes and create cool handbags with focus on ecology, slow fashion and sustainability.
16. Susan Bijl
Susan Bijl is a Rotterdam-based bag brand. During her studies at the Willem de Kooning Academy Susan designed "The New Shopping Bag" as a colourful and environmentally friendly alternative for the plastic shopping bag. Since 2002 she has produced all kinds of bags for daily use: shopping bags, cross-body bags and backpacks. They have an iconic design in different colour combinations. The Susan Bijl bags add a pop of colour to the Dutch streetscape and are definitely here to stay!
Since 2019, all Susan Bijl bags are made from recycled materials, including recycled nylon; from recycled fishing nets, pre-consumer fabric waste and computer chips and recycled polyester; from recycled PET bottles. The bags are made in China and Vietnam. Nice detail: if your bag breaks down, you can go to the Care & Repair service. This way your Susan Bijl bag can last along time!
Want to discover more sustainable clothing and accessories? Check out our shopping guide and find sustainable fashion in your style and within your budget!
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