Our thinking

From ashes to…bags

15 March, 2024

The first shout-out of B-Corp month goes to Elvis & Kresse! Not only are they a B-Corp, but they’re a living wage employer and a social enterprise, with 50% of profits going to charity. The company designs beautiful, desirable bags, belts and other accessories out of old fire hoses as well as offcuts from the designer bag industry.

The company emerged from the founders’ discovery that the heroic, highly durable materials that make up old fire hoses could not be recycled, so they launched a mission to save these pieces from landfill. It’s unusual that you see a 100% success rate, but they’ve done just this, with none of London’s discarded fire hoses ending up in landfill for over a decade. The company also use leather from a partnership with the Burberry Foundation, which will see 120 tonnes of leather from old Burberry products saved from landfill and made into new products over the course of five years.

While the products are certainly not a budget option, the value is clear to see, with high quality, ethically made, luxury goods. A great alternative to support a circular economy for those that still want to buy a “new” product. We love to see the innovation showing that quality and sustainability can go hand in hand.

By Anna Heis