My Latest Style Obsession Is With A Top-Handle Bag Made Of Cork

The Harsh Truth

Thanks to Earth Day, the ideas of living sustainably and making small changes to protect Mother Earth have been booming over the internet in the past week – making me wonder about the small changes that I should consider making to play my part too. TBH, if it wasn’t for the glaring statistics, I’d probably still be in my own bubble, buying the latest-released, most eye-catching fashion items without thinking much about the damage of my actions.

Fun fact: based on a research done by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) that was published on metro.style, 85 per cent of textile produced in a year end up in landfills, and based on the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE), 10 per cent of global carbon emissions is accounted for by the fashion industry. #sadbuttrue

Making A Change

The first step to making a change is buying products that are deemed safe to the environment, and one of the things that caught my attention was Salvatore Ferragamo’s Earth Top Handle Bag that was launched recently. Top-handle bags aren’t only versatile and practical but also work as statement fashion pieces when it comes to formal occasions. Thus, this was one of the reasons why I had my eyes on this beauty. The bag happens to be a re-interpretation of the iconic top handle bag created by Fiamma Ferragamo in the ’90s, which was immediately recognised as perfect for its usage, proportions and design, and is part of the prestigious Ferragamo’s Creations collection – meaning that there are only 500 pieces of this bag available worldwide!

More Than Meets The Eye

Honouring the bond between Salvatore Ferragamo and the ‘Made in Italy’ tradition as well as the House’s commitment to using low impact materials, the Earth Top Handle Bag is made of FSC-certified cork (a natural and renewable resource that causes no harm to the trees when harvested) and a range of eco-friendly materials that left me pretty amazed! The lining is crafted from pure linen, a natural and biodegradable material, the zipper tape and thread are made of 100% recycled and certified polyester, while the bag’s colour is finished with water-based treatments. Never in my wildest dream would I have thought that when such natural elements are put together, they can turn into something that looks this neat!

Just like how Salvatore Ferragamo himself was big on authentic craftsmanship and creativity, and was never afraid to innovate and use new materials in his designs, CEO of the House, Micaela le Divelec Lemmi explained that the brand continues to stick to those core values and the experimental spirit, Italian way of innovation, sense of beauty and refinement, as well as connection between their feelings and social and environmental responsibility are essential characteristics of the collections that the brand produces. To top it off, the bag has obtained the ISO 14067 Product Carbon Footprint certification, which means that it’s carbon neutral! How’s that for your next charming yet feel-good purchase?

Salvatore Ferragamo’s Earth Top Handle Bag retails at US$3,200 (about RM13,000) and can be purchased here.