Vegan Fashion Startup Wins Europe's Biggest Sustainability Award

This year, the progressive fashion label Melina Bucher received Europe's biggest award for ecological and social commitment with the BAILEY designer bag, which was conceived for the circular economy.

The German Sustainability Award for Design was awarded for the third time on December 1st in Düsseldorf as part of a festive awards ceremony. BAILEY, the handbag of the future, received the coveted award.

The new generation of vegan designer bags from the Mannheim label is revolutionizing the market. The BAILEY combines a unique, elegant design with innovative materials and the finest craftsmanship. Melina Bucher is the first German company to use MIRUM®, a 100% plastic-free and bio-based vegan leather. The sustainable material comes from purely natural raw materials and completely dispenses with synthetic substances. The manufacturing process requires about 90% less CO2 emissions than animal leather. It is also designed for the circular economy: after use, it can be recycled or safely returned to nature.

"Our vision is to develop fully recyclable accessories and thus make an active contribution to a better world of fashion. Receiving this prestigious award for our work naturally fills me with pride. My team and my partners put a lot of passion, work and love into the handbag until every detail was perfect. The price also has a signal effect on the Industry: vegan solutions are promising. And they have arrived in the middle of society,” says founder Melina Bucher.

The German Sustainability Award stands for an outstanding achievement for sustainable transformation and is considered the largest award in Europe. The prize is based on the goals of the 2030 Agenda and is therefore closely linked to the federal government. As part of the award, visionaries will present their innovative and sustainable products, services and systems that can make consumption sustainable and contribute to the necessary transformation. Ecological innovations are not only necessary, they are also possible. This makes the diversity of the projects presented here more than clear for the third time. A total of 17 winners were honored at the award ceremony and honored for their particularly sustainable design - including the latest model BAILEY by Melina Bucher. The designer bag is highlighted as one of the first vegan leather accessories designed for the circular economy.

About Melina Bucher

Melina Bucher is a German startup developing vegan leather accessories for the circular economy. As a pioneer of sustainable luxury, the label combines ethics with aesthetics and innovative, vegan materials with traditional bag making. The company is committed to new values in the fashion industry and wants to inspire and encourage consumers and other brands to change.

LEARN MORE