If you’re looking for a stylish and eco-friendly accessory to complement your outfit….look no further than luxury cork handbags! Alesia Boutique offers a variety of luxury cork handbags and wallets that are not only beautiful but also cruelty free, vegan and sustainable. In this blog post, we will explore why we feel cork handbags are the perfect choice for fashion-conscious individuals who care about the environment as well as animal welfare.
Where does the cork used to make cork handbags and wallets come from?
Cork handbags are made from the bark of cork oak trees. The bark is cut from the tree and cleaned, flattened and cut into sheets. Many people are concerned this process will kill the tree. Cork tree bark harvesting causes no harm to the tree (so long as the bark is removed properly) because cork bark naturally regenerates! Once cut from the tree…the bark is cleaned, flattened and cut into sheets.
Bark carefully being removed from a cork oak tree
What makes cork sustainable?
The ability of a cork oak tree’s bark to regenerate after harvesting makes it very sustainable. Furthermore, cork oak forests contribute to biodiversity and carbon sequestration—retaining as much as 14 million tons of CO2 each year! This in turn reduces greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Also, unlike genuine leather products, no animals are harmed in the production of cork handbags. By choosing a cork handbag, you can enjoy the luxurious look and feel of leather (cork actually feels most like suede) without contributing to animal cruelty.
How is the harvested cork bark turned into handbags?
Once cut from the tree, cork bark is cleaned, flattened and cut into sheets. These sheets are layered and glued onto a fabric backing to create the handbag’s structure. The cork can be dyed and treated to enhance its durability and appearance. Finally, the bag is assembled and finished with hardware, straps and lining.
Closeup view of cork bark before removal of outer layer
What are more reasons to own a cork handbag?
In addition to being sustainable and cruelty-free, cork is naturally lightweight…making cork handbags easier to carry around. Cork is also water resistant, which will help keep liquids from seeping through and spoiling the contents inside. Cork handbags can also be quite durable if made properly and well cared for. Alesia Boutique seeks out and curates cork handbag designers who use only the best quality cork, materials and dyes. Furthermore, because cork is naturally resistant to mold and mildew…it is a great choice for those who suffer from allergies. We’d also be remiss if we didn’t mention the natural beauty of cork. Because cork is a natural product, each handbag is unique due to its subtle organic textures and varied patterns.
Are cork handbags easy to clean?
Yes! The easiest, most effective way to clean cork is with a solution of mild soap and water. Dampen a clean cloth with the solution and gently wipe the cork surface. Be sure not to saturate the cork. Even though cork is known to be water resistant, excess moisture could still damage it. For stubborn stains, use a soft-bristled toothbrush or an old, soft-bristled makeup brush together with mild soap and water to gently scrub the stained area. Make sure not to scrub too hard as cork can easily scratch. Finally….if you want to restore the shine and flexibility of the cork, you might consider using a specialized cork conditioner.
What are the cons of owning a cork handbag?
As mentioned above, cork handbags do require special care in order to maintain their appearance and durability. Cork also currently comes in a limited range of colors when compared to handbags made from other materials. Finally, luxury cork handbags can be more expensive than genuine leather due to the time-consuming labor involved with carefully harvesting cork bark.
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Our take? We feel cork handbags and wallets are a terrific choice for anyone valuing sustainable, vegan, cruelty-free fashion while at the same time insisting upon quality and style. By choosing cork handbags and wallets, you can feel good knowing you’re making a positive impact on the environment as well as supporting animal welfare. Offering cork handbags and wallets to our clients—and thereby contributing to a more compassionate world—certainly makes ‘us’ feel good!
These are just some of the many luxury cork handbags we offer at Alesia Boutique:
Amelia Luxe Tote Julia Cork Hobo Bag Carmindho Handbag
You can view all of our cork and other vegan handbag & wallet offerings at https://alesiaboutique.com/collections/handbags