Do you like the look of leather but feel guilty about its rather large carbon footprint and potential animal cruelty issues? Well, like our new Veledo recycled leather flooring, Ashley Watson products are the perfect compromise! Ashley Watson is a Vancouver-based designer who specializes in recycled leather items. Watson started with a line of un-dyed recycled leather handbags in 2005. The eco-conscious and innovative styles quickly became popular and the company grew to also include lines of wallets, belts, make-up bags and other accessories. Her bags and accessories are sold around the world through various high-end environmentally focused retailers like Vert & Vogue in North Carolina, Glore in Munic, Germany, and The Green Life in Vermont. There are also a few websites where you can order the bags (which is what I will probably do since there isn’t a Ashley Watson store in Massachusetts):
beklina.com
candystorecollective.com
ecomom.com
ecoutrement.com
grasshopper510.com
shopfatal.com
The bags are beautiful and a great way for eco-fashonistas to still get a cute leather bag. I particularly like the Tote Bag with Leather and Fabric because it has a very chic, clean look that is perfect for summer.
And since fall is right around the corner, I might also consider purchasing the Tern Bag because its darker, but still fun, color will look great with autumn browns, yellows, and reds.
Who knew that someone’s old leather jacket could be recycled into something so fun and new?! The insides of the bags are also a highlight of Ashley Watson’s designs because they are lined with some of our favorite eco-fibers like hemp and organic cotton. The bags are a little pricey, but are high quality and will last for a long time. Plus, leather bags are classic and will likely never go out of style. Ashley Watson bags are the perfect way to have your cake and eat it too!
