For those who eschew leather products on account of concerns about animal cruelty as well as the environmental impact of the animal husbandry industry and tanneries, most vegan leather alternatives, unfortunately, also come up short. To date, most brands use synthetic substitutes made of plastic polymers, whose production and disposal generates carcinogenic by-products. “Just because a material is cruelty-free doesn’t mean that it is also environmentally sustainable,” points out Arundhati Kumar, founder of Chandivali-based platform Beej that produces handbags, wallets and other accessories made of plant-based leather.

(From left) Ukiyo mini and Ahana