OK, so you couldn't get your manicured fingers on a "I'm not a plastic bag" tote, but that doesn't mean you can't have an eco-friendly, fashionable shopping bag. (If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out the links below.)
Designers were quick to come up with their own range after the popular Anya Hindmarch bag flew off shelves the world over. Here are a few options:
"Friends of Al" tote - Stay hip and promote awareness of global warming with the white and green canvas bag with magentic closure. It's $55, but for a good cause. Friends of Al will donate $25 to eco-friendly charities and $10 toward American Forests who will plant 10 trees per purchase. (www.haydenharnett.com)
Stella McCartney - A higher-end version for a few more bucks; it's made of organic canvas and is selling for $500 US
Marni - The grocery tote by Consuelo Castiglioni is selling for $843 US.
Hermes - The priciest way you can lend a helping hand to the environment through fashion: the Silky Pop bag is made of gorgeous red and pink silk, folds up to be smaller than a CD, and is available for a wallet-breaking $1,225 CAD.
What's Driving This Trend
- Eco-friendly Fashion
- There is a rising trend of eco-consciousness in fashion, creating an opportunity to develop sustainable fashion lines and products.
- Affordable Sustainable Alternatives
- As the demand for sustainable fashion increases, there is an opportunity to create affordable and accessible alternatives to high-end sustainable fashion, such as the Friends of Al tote bag.
- Celebrity-endorsed Sustainable Fashion
- The popularity of Stella McCartney's organic canvas tote indicates the potential for celebrity-endorsed sustainable fashion to generate interest, and thus increase the demand and availability of such products.
Who This Affects Most
- Fashion and Apparel
- The fashion and apparel industry has an opportunity to incorporate sustainable and eco-conscious practices and materials into their products and lines.
- Charitable Organizations
- Charitable organizations focused on eco-friendly initiatives have an opportunity to partner with fashion and apparel companies to promote their cause while simultaneously expanding their reach.
- Luxury Goods
- The luxury goods industry can explore the market of sustainable fashion by incorporating eco-conscious materials into their high-end products, such as the Hermes Silky Pop bag.
