How Matt & Nat Built a Mainstream Audience for Its Vegan Leather Bags

Popular Canadian shoe and handbag brand Matt & Nat is proving that vegan leather belongs in the mainstream with its affordable, cruelty-free leather that looks so real it can fool “anyone,” according to a recent review in Business Insider.

Committed to not using leather or any other animal-based materials, Matt & Nat is popular among conscientious shoppers. According to the brand, its decision to avoid animal products “felt natural,” and complements its core values of social responsibility, integrity, and love. Championing sustainability, its brand name, Matt & Nat, even stands for “MAT(T)ERIAL + NATURE.”

The company sells everything from luxe-looking bags and footwear to dog accessories, favoring simple, chic designs. And, with its realistic faux-leather, its products are increasingly popular among non-vegans, Business Insider noted. Offering the clean, classic style of leather but without the animal cruelty, Matt & Nat are capitalising on the growing demand for ethical, trendy fashion. Bringing vegan fashion and accessories to the mainstream, Matt & Nat’s bags are known for their reasonable prices; its products sell for less than $200. Likewise, they are available at many well-known stores including Zappos, Nordstrom, Urban Outfitters, and Amazon. Matt & Nat collections can also be found in boutiques across Canada, the U.S., the UK, Japan, Germany, and Australia.

Matt & Nat’s products are also environmentally friendly, with the brand stating, “We’re passionate and in awe of the world that surrounds us.” The company has made extra environmental efforts since 2007; the linings of its bags are made of recycled plastic bottles, with each bag recycling twenty-one bottles. Matt & Nat also experiment with various recycled materials, including eco-friendly nylon, cardboard, rubber, and cork. More recently, the brand began to use recycled bicycle tires in its products. This is all part of its mission to produce a more sustainable collection.

Vegan leather, particularly in the accessory and handbag department, is booming in popularity. Earlier this year, haute handbag designer, von Holzhausen, announced its new commitment to becoming one hundred percent vegan. Likewise, esteemed brand The Kooples launched a vegan leather bag last year in a bid to support animal rights.

Reaffirming that vegan leather really is as stylish as the traditional animal product, it is even fit for royalty: Meghan Markle was gifted a luxury vegan leather handbag in honor of her first birthday celebration as a member of the royal family.


Image credit: MATT & NAT

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