Where ethics meet elegance: How LaBante London is setting a new standard for sustainable luxury
As the fashion industry faces growing accountability for its environmental footprint, LaBante London emerges as a defining example of what sustainable luxury should look like. Founded with a mission to create high quality products that not only merge beauty and desirability, but also to remain cruelty free and ethical, LaBante London blends high fashion aesthetics with unwavering ethical values- demonstrating that affordable vegan handbags and conscious consumerism can go hand in hand.
While often synonymous with glamour and luxury, the fashion industry has long grappled with a shadowed legacy- marked by overproduction, excessive waste, and exploitative labor practices. Fast fashion alone is responsible for nearly 10% of global carbon emissions- leather production in particular, leaving behind a trail of environmental and ethical concerns. LaBante London instead defies this status quo, establishing a new standard to sustainable luxury. By weaving eco-consciousness into every element of its production, LaBante London champions sustainability, cruelty-free materials, and ethical sourcing as its foundation- redefining what it means to create with conscience.
Vegan Leather: A closer look at the material that's making high fashion more humane
When it comes to redefining material luxury, vegan leather is at the forefront of the evolution. LaBante London’s vegan leather handbags are meticulously crafted from plant-based and recycled materials, ensuring each piece is not only 100% vegan and cruelty free, but also fully biodegradable.
Unlike traditional leather, which depends on animal agriculture and harmful tanning processes, LaBante London’s affordable vegan handbags use a refined blend of vegetable by-products and polyurethane. This not only eliminates animal cruelty but also significantly minimizes the environmental footprint of production. The result? Ethical handbags that are as luxurious and stylish as they are compassionate.
LaBante London’s cruelty free handbags offer style-conscious individuals the opportunity to make a luxurious statement without compromise. They are more than just accessories- they are symbols of a movement toward biodegradable fashion and a more sustainable, future-focused industry.
Recycling and plastic use: Giving waste new purpose
Each minute, over one million plastic bottles are purchased globally, the majority of which end up discarded in landfills or oceans. LaBante London is actively addressing this issue by repurposing single-use plastics into each one of our products. The interiors of our vegan handbags and sustainable tote bags are lined with high-quality, durable polyester derived from recycled single use plastic bottles, reducing the amount of water used in product production, by 50%.
But Labante London’s commitment to sustainability does not stop at the bag itself- with every element of the packaging carefully designed with environmental consciousness in mind. Each item is encased in a dust cover made from recycled fabric and organic cotton. The cruelty-free sustainable handbags are then wrapped in recyclable tissue paper and accompanied by minimalist, recyclable swing tags, ensuring that every detail aligns with the eco- conscious principles that compose the foundation of Labante London’s values.
Greenwashing: What to avoid in the pursuit of sustainability
As sustainability increasingly becomes a selling point, numerous brands are embracing this trend- but not all are doing it with genuine integrity. This brings us to the issue of greenwashing: the practice of marketing products as ‘eco-friendly’ or ‘ethical’ without substantive actions to support such claims.
Terms such as 'natural,' 'eco,' or 'sustainable' may sound appealing when featured on a product tag, but their true meaning is often vague or misleading. To distinguish between authentic sustainability and greenwashing, look for transparency in sourcing- specific information about materials (such as 'crafted from 100% recycled plastic bottles'), and third-party certifications that verify claims.
LaBante London avoids the traps of greenwashing by offering full visibility into their supply chain, their use of certified factories, and clear breakdowns of the materials in each bag.
Whether purchasing vegan handbags, sustainable totes, or biodegradable accessories, choosing brands like LaBante London that exemplify integrity and genuine sustainability, rather than those that are arguably ‘greenwashed’, ensures that your fashion choices contribute to a more ethical and environmentally conscious future.
Ultimately, true sustainability in fashion requires both integrity and intentionality- values reflected in ethical materials, transparent sourcing, and conscious production. By rejecting overproduction and greenwashing, the industry can set new standards for luxury that prioritize both style and environmental responsibility. As consumers, our choices can drive a more ethical, sustainable fashion future- a future where elegance and sustainability coexist seamlessly.
What we carry says something about us — and at LaBante London, we believe it should say something good.
Fast fashion is no longer fashionable. Our bags are cruelty-free, consciously crafted, and made to last — with materials like recycled plastic bottles and certified vegan leather. No animals harmed. No corners cut.
Need a reason to switch?
👉 Read our story on why sustainable vegan handbags are the future of fashion — and how your choices can change everything.
St. Patrick's Day is a time of celebration, but it's also an opportunity to reflect on our environmental impact. As we celebrate the patron saint of Ireland, it's essential to remember our commitment to being more sustainable.
When it comes to living and dressing sustainably, the term ‘circular’ has become one of the most popular concepts amongst consumers and fashion brands.
Fashion brands such as Nike and Ganni are signatories to the Global Fashion Agenda’s 2020 Circular Fashion System Commitment, a company-wide pledge to end linear fashion.
So, what is circular fashion?
To explain it simply: circular fashion –– a term first coined in 2014 by Anna Brismar –– can be best described as clothes, shoes or accessories that are specifically designed, sourced, produced and provided with the intention of being used and circulated responsibly and effectively in society for as long as possible in their most valuable form, and then returned safely to the biosphere when no longer of human use.
In other words, think of it like the Circle of Life –– but for fashion.
How does it compare to linear fashion?
At this moment, a majority of the fashion industry is linear. To be linear means that a consumer will buy a shirt and when the shirt no longer serves a purpose, the consumer will either throw it away, donate it, which usually results to it ending up in a landfill.
True to its name, circular fashion focuses on making a circle with consumer purchases and avoiding the need to create new materials, new garments, but instead using what is already circulating out there.
What does LaBante have to do with Circular Fashion?
Sustainability has always been at the core of LaBante’s brand identity. LaBante’s product manufacturing is a circular usage process, with the intention of minimizing waste through the process.
To further aid in the circularity of their products, all of LaBante’s bags are biodegradable, and the metal fastenings on the bags can be recycled.
LaBante practices what they preach when it comes to circularity in fashion.
Welcome to LaBante London!
LaBante was founded by Vanita Badlani in 2009 to create sustainable luxury accessories, which at the time, were in short supply. The passion project hoped to provide vegan goods for people wanting to be more sustainable but not wanting to sacrifice their style.
“I believed there was a gap in the fashion industry to make high-quality products that were not only beautiful and vied for, but were also cruelty-free and sustainable at the same time being accessible,” Vanita says about why LaBante was created.
LaBante comes from Sanskrit, and it means ‘to truly achieve', which implies that it is more important to give back to the planet than to take from it. And we believe that we have given back to the planet through LaBante’s extensive product range.
All of LaBante’s products are entirely vegan and cruelty-free, as we don't believe animals should play a part in our fashion choices. We take great pride in the sustainability of our products. With so much waste produced by fast fashion companies, we wanted to create products with the least damage to the environment as possible –– and we have achieved this.
As a socially cognizant brand, we donate at least 10% of our profits to charities at the end of the year. In addition, we plant ten trees for every item sold, which essentially makes the purchase carbon-negative for our customers. Sustainability is at the core of LaBante’s brand identity.
As a vegan and cruelty-free brand, we take great care in sourcing the types of materials we use to create our luxury accessories. We have always used the finest quality vegan materials.
Currently, all of LaBante’s handbags are made from vegetable-based leather and can be recycled at the end of their lifespan. We don’t use PVC in any of our items — we are pledged PVC free!
The linings of LaBante’s handbags are made from recycled plastic bottles that are salvaged from landfills, broken down into pellets, and then converted into the material. To aid in the circularity of our products, all of the bags can biodegrade, and the metal fastenings on the bags can be recycled.
Recently, LaBante invested in an exciting new sustainable material sourced from Tyrol, Italy, for a unisex line of apple leather shoes. The soles are made from pure rubber, the laces are made from recycled plastic bottles, and the upper part of the shoe is made from apple leather.
To ensure the entire product range is zero-waste, the packaging is fully compostable from the box, to the dust bag, and virgin plastic packaging is not used. What's even more exciting? We recently put into production new swing tags that can be planted to grow mint!
We would love to hear from you! If you have any questions at all about Labante please contact us here: press@labante.co.uk
By Ellie Peach
If you want to find something new to add to your collection of summer outfits this year, we've got you! From bags to headscarves, here are four trendy essentials you need to add to your capsule wardrobe.
Having a crocheted piece is a priority for your wardrobe this summer, they can be so cute while also offering adequate coverage as the evenings cool down. They are also ideal for taking with you for picnic dates or to a beer garden with friends.
Crocheted pieces are another way to add another textile to your outfit and give it more dimension. Whether that is laying it over a different skirt or wearing it over your bikini on a beach day, there is so much versatility you can't really go wrong.
Oversized cardigan and mini skirt styles are our favourites; complemented with colourful patterning or block colours, you will have the perfect statement piece this summer. Another way we have seen crochet becoming popular is through bralette tops. These are another fantastic piece to keep in, and there are many small businesses to support making beautiful designs. Have a look on Etsy before shopping at larger retailers.
You could also make one yourself! Crochet is a very accessible hobby, and learning can be quick and easy with the help of online tutorial videos. Simply search for a DIY of what you want to make, and there will be a video to help you!
Crossbody and baguette bags are a must when it comes to summer. They can be worn multiple ways, and they hold only the essentials. They are a great way to add a little extra fun to your outfit without getting in the way. Choosing one in a colour that compliments you will ensure you get the best usage out of it, and choosing one with sustainability at its core is even better! LaBante London has a wide range of crossbody bags to choose from. The Bella bag in mustard or white has a very summery feel to pair well with your maxi dresses, or the Raven bag in green offers a thinner shape that would complement a blazer and skirt look.
Keep your eye out for our new collection of vegan baguette bags dropping soon on our website!
3. Headscarves
If you plan on channelling a vacation in Italy - whether you're actually going to Italy or not - you need to buy a few headscarves. They can add so much to a plain outfit and generally are versatile enough to be worn in multiple ways, such as tops, scarves or sarongs!
The outfits you can wear a headscarf with really have no bounds. Wearing it with a long silk dress on the beach will give you an old-money style aesthetic while wearing it with mom jeans and a cami top overlaid with an oversized shirt would give you 'the girl next door of your dreams look.' Whatever your style, Choosing headscarves in bright, bold patterning will make them stand out and add a little extra fun. Try pairing your outfits with different colour headscarves to see what fits you best, and you will almost definitely fall in love with them.
We love Cath Kidston head scarves, they have intricate patterning and pretty colours. Check out the designs here;
You only really need to take two pairs of shoes with you on holiday and what's more essential than a pair of comfortable sneakers and platform sandals? The sneakers are great because you can walk around in them if you are having a day exploring an area or just mooching about. They are also so easy to pair with any outfit due to their simplicity as a staple outfit piece. They look just as perfect with jeans or shorts as they do with a dress or skirt.
LaBante has a new range of vegan apple leather sneakers that come in nude, white or black; take a look here;
Going from flip flops to platform sandals seems like a big jump, but this switch can be a fun way to upgrade your summary fits this year! They can be your statement shoes that go with your dressed up outfits for things like dinners and drinks, but they also go perfectly for casual occasions like a beach day or lazing by the pool. The critical thing is finding a pair that fits you well to ensure they are just as comfortable as your old flip flops! we love these Melissa sandals from Lazy Oaf.
There are so many styles of platform sandals to choose from, such as a higher or chunkier heel, for example!
Share the Love, Spread the Change!Love your LaBante?
Now’s your chance to share it with someone special! Introduce a friend to our world of sustainable luxury, and you’ll both enjoy a treat. It's our way of saying thank you for helping grow our eco-conscious community. Let’s make a difference together—one friend at a time!
Help us support a better tomorrow.
