In Helsinki, ASK Scandinavia co-hosted an event showcasing a vegan handbag made from plants and not an ounce of plastic.
| All products featured on The Wellness Feed are independently selected by our editors for their environmental and ethical impact. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. |
On May 30th, as the sun set in Helsinki, two sustainably-minded brands came together for an after-work mingle with the press, influencers, and others in the fashion space to celebrate their latest collections. Light drinks and small plates were served as guests partook in the showcase featuring bio-based ‘leather’ handbags and ethically-sourced jewelry. Hosted by ASK Scandinavia, a handbag brand, and Mannström, a conscious jewelry brand, guests were treated to the fusion of innovation and beauty to create products that are better for the environment.
ASK Scandinavia is one of the few handbag brands offering vegan bio-based handbags that are also plastic-free. Traditional vegan handbags are made from plastic-based materials sourced from fossil fuels. It wasn’t until the last decade that biobased leathers (leather-like materials sourced from apples, grapes, pineapples, or mycelium) emerged. While several brands use bio-based leathers, many of these materials still contain a percentage of plastic to increase durability or to mimic the feel of leather. New to the bio-based leather market is, MIRUM®, an innovative material sourced from a combination of clays, plants, and rubber to create truly bio-based and plastic-free leather. ASK Scandinavia is one of the brands that craft their bags with MIRUM®.
Fellow fashion enthusiasts were treated to a display that also allowed them to touch and feel the plant-based leather. Each design, structured shapes giving a nod to Scandinavian minimalism, was also a celebration of the ingenuity of sustainable fashion. All in all, it was a night worth celebrating how beautiful design, innovation, and sustainability can come together.
