Sydney-based start up Ethical Gallery is out to challenge the luxury status of leather.
The eCommerce platform has launched with a curated offer of ethical, vegan handbags sourced from designers around the world.
Ethical Gallery founder Drieli Roveda claimed while consumer awareness around animal cruelty is growing, the leather trade has largely remained under the radar.
“There is so much misinformation out there about the leather trade,” she said.
“With a greater knowledge of the real impact, not only in terms of animal cruelty, but also the harm caused to the environment and to the people who work in the industry, it becomes clear that there is no such thing as ‘ethical leather’.”
She said she founded the venture after her own frustration at finding high quality, stylish and ethical handbags.
“There was no single destination that offered a variety of brands, styles and designs.
"I spent hours researching materials, looking for designs that were chic and on-trend, trying to coordinate shipping from brands in the U.S. It was a time-consuming process to say the least."
Ethical Gallery promotes complete transparency of materials and production techniques.
It currently features seven ethical handbag brands (and growing), all of which are privately owned, with all products ethically made by skilled artisans, in small studios or certified, family owned factories.