Kantala
Overview
Kantala bags are unique: they’re handwoven using a Sri Lankan craft that’s 300 years old, called the hana mat. I absolutely love the vibrance and texture of their bags; I haven’t come across anything else like them! The brand’s founders wanted to generate value for their country and its artisans by using traditional crafts to create beautiful, contemporary pieces – which is exactly what they’ve done.
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The Details
Based: Colombo, Sri Lanka
Cost: $$ {$45 – $125}
Products: Clutches, crossbodies, totes, passport holders, wallets
Materials: Hana (made from the highly sustainable hana plant), Piñatex (pineapple leather), handloom fabrics, coconut shells
The Look: Unique, textured, and vibrant
Eco-Love & Ethics
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- Super sustainable materials
- Production methods that respect and care for the environment (like slow harvesting that’s harmless to plants)
- They’re a Good Market approved vendor
- They engage in fair trade practices with their artisans, paying them 15% above the inflation adjusted “rural income receiver’s mean income per month”
- Carbon-neutral shipping
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Kantala Quote
[Kantala’s mission]: To deliver artisan fashion accessories that bring empowerment & cheer to the world of fashion, where consumers have the opportunity to invest in responsible high quality handbags & traditional artisans can build a sustainable & respectable livelihood.
