Can coffee replace calfskin? The entrepreneur betting on a kinder version of luxury
“If I can buy a handbag made from coffee, bamboo or cactus, why wouldn't I?” For Elke Steijns, this surprisingly simple question challenges one of luxury's oldest assumptions – that the finest handbags must begin with animal leather. The Dutch entrepreneur is the founder of Vogaya, a new accessories label whose sleek bags are made entirely from plant-based materials. Vogaya was launched in…
Elke Steijns, the founder of Vogaya, a new luxury accessories label, believes that coffee, bamboo, and cactus could replace traditional animal leather in high-end handbags. Steijns launched Vogaya in February, offering two styles: the Espressa structured shoulder bag, made from coffee grounds, and the Bambote shopper, crafted from bamboo.
Despite the environmental benefits, Steijns emphasizes that the brand is for everyone, not just vegans. She wants Vogaya to be a part of contemporary luxury, appealing through design and craftsmanship, with sustainability as a surprise. The idea for Vogaya emerged after Steijns lived in Dubai for 13 years, where she believes anything is possible.
She realized that her consumption and fashion choices should align with her values of not supporting cruelty. Her transition to a plant-based diet was easy, but finding high-quality, sustainable accessories proved challenging. Many luxury brands use animal leather, and she wanted to create a genuinely sustainable product that mimicked the tactile qualities and longevity of traditional leather.
Steijns conducted extensive research on biomaterials, discovering that modern innovations can replicate a variety of textures and finishes. Vogaya's products are manufactured in China due to the lack of expertise in the UAE, and the founder personally visited each factory to ensure ethical working conditions. The handbag, a symbol of luxury, is an ideal category to start with, as it remains one of the most coveted items in a person's life.
However, changing perceptions about leather and sustainability may be challenging. Vogaya's prices are higher than leather goods due to the research and production costs, but Steijns believes that the value of a handbag goes beyond material costs, as it represents a connection to the animal that once lived.
Written by urgent.news from The National UAE's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — it may contain errors, so check the original before relying on it.
