Leather Handbag Company Launches First Vegan Line

United Kingdom-based The Cambridge Satchel Company is partnering with Brazil-based shoe brand Melissa to launch its first leather-free handbag line. Made with the recycled, waterproof, and hypoallergenic vegan material Melflex, the Melissa x CSC Collection is available in three colors—black, red, and holographic—and exudes a bubblegum scent. “A collaboration needs two strong partners with unique design elements,” says Julie Deane, founder of The Cambridge Satchel. “We are also happy that this partnership offers a vegan alternative to our customers.” Brands that have traditionally used animal products are consistently offering more vegan options, including footwear company Vagabond which launched their vegan “Non-animal collection” last spring. Conversely, animal product-based accessories are falling out of fashion as evidenced by Prada’s recent report stating that decreased leather goods sales were responsible for a downturn in the company’s profits.