Mela
Import taxes are already included for UK & EU customers do not pay any import duties on orders below $800.
Mela believes in creating luxury fashion that is sustainable yet spontaneous, eco-conscious yet effortless. The brand's high-quality plant-based leather goods elevate sustainable style to promote confidence and concern for the planet.
The brand, which has been featured in VOGUE and NY Weekly, also partners with +Purpose, an innovative company that makes giving back easier. With every purchase, the customer receives 10% back to invest in Nilus, an organisation that works with local farmers and distributors to avoid food waste and re-distribute food to low-income areas; or Community Vision, a California-based financial and real estate ally that resources and uplifts community-driven solutions and promotes economic justice.
About the Founder
Mela was founded by serial entrepreneur Neel Elsherif. After earning her BFA from Moore College of Art & Design, majoring in Fashion Design and Business/Entrepreneurship, Neel went on to work with Macy’s, Lord & Taylor, Nordstrom, Sam’s Club, Beall’s, Shopbop and more.
A designer in her own right, Neel has created and sold her own collection of custom eveningwear. With this broad and diverse resume, she is able to share a spectrum of experience with startups as a mentor for Ballard Spahr’s BASE program. She has additionally shared her industry knowledge working as an adjunct professor, teaching graduate studies at Moore. She has been featured in Forbes and was included on LA Magazine's 40 under 40 list for her work as the founder of GuardeX New York, an effort to donate much-needed supplies during the pandemic.
“Not all pleasures in life have to be guilty. Why compromise when you can actually have your (vegan) cake and eat it too? Our community of bold personalities and big hearts lives in the present, but considers the future. So, ditch the guilt. No one said you can’t look fabulous while making the kind of change that truly matters.”
Materials
“Mela” means apple – and the company's main material is apple leather, which derives from waste from the apple juice industry. Apple waste from Italy is repurposed by Mela's supplier into a high-quality, versatile leather material. This material is PVC-free, entirely vegan and eco-friendly.
People
Everyone in Mela's supply chain is paid a living wage.
Production
Mela's team visits their factory in Italy regularly to ensure compliance with ethical conditions. All labour laws are met and the factory is WRAP-certified. Producing locally in Italy is important to the brand in order to minimise emissions.
Packaging
No plastic is used in Mela's packaging, and biodegradable packaging will be introduced shortly. All packaging is also produced locally to keep emissions to a minimum.
Animals
Mela is a PETA-Approved Vegan brand.
To discover more like this, visit our vegan bags collection.
You can read more about the problem with animal leather and sustainable vegan leather alternatives on our blog.
Love sustainable vegan leathers? Take a look at our edits for Cactus Leather, Apple Leather, Grape Leather, Pinatex and Cork Leather.
Love luxury and designer fashion? Check out our Luxury Vegan Bags & Shoes edit.
