Guest blog post: Claire Carreras, CEO and Designer at White Rhino Bags
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Happy Valentines Day!
I love this time of year. Love is in the air and the general mood is optimistic and brimming with excitement for the summer season that lies ahead.
As I write this I am truly content, still vibing off my highly acclaimed runway debut at Vancouver Fashion Week this past October, 2019. My vegan leather bags & accessories brand White Rhino Bags strut down the catwalk. Each model draped in the brand’s designer accessory collections, dressed head to toe in outfits I created from 100% upcycled post-consumer materials. It was an ambitious undertaking, with only 3 weeks to prepare - but I had a vision and I was committed to it. The whole thing came together just in time and exceeded all my expectations.
While vegan fashion and sustainability-focused fashion showcases are on the rise all over the world, this particular season at Vancouver Fashion Week did not have an overruling niche or category that it specifically promoted. So being the vegan and sustainable brand of the event was both an honor and, I believe, one of my greatest achievements.
You see, when White Rhino Bags launched in September of 2018, the number one purpose was to make vegan leathers and designer quality bags & accessories accessible to the mainstream market. By offering functional, unique designs at a competitive price the brand aims to make the ethical option an easy choice when shopping for gifts or for oneself.
There is no reason to continue to rely on or support the production of animal-derived materials in fashion. Animals farmed for their skins and furs suffer incredibly inhumane treatment, living anguished unnaturally short lives without being shown the love and compassion that all beings deserve. In addition to this, the negative impact on the environment that wool, fur and leather production reaps is among the most harmful and destructive. Climate change, poisoned soil and waterways, even the recent fires that ravaged Australia are all directly related to the negative impacts of misguided human consumption.
The response my brand received after showcasing at fashion week signals a major shift in the way everyday consumers are thinking. Men and women from all walks of life approached me to let me know how impactful my presentation on the runway was and how deeply it spoke to them. Individuals of all ages, ethnicities and social standings are looking for ways to minimize their impact and lead with LOVE. No matter who you are you can make a difference simply by choosing to support mindful companies that are committed to being cruelty-free and who actively give back.
I am thrilled to announce that White Rhino Bags will be partnering with World Animal Protection US for another year of collaboration. Together we will help raise funds and awareness for the charity’s efforts in working towards a world free from needless animal suffering.
And this year we’re doing it a little differently -
Rather than featuring select styles from our designer collections we are broadening our efforts to include ALL bag & accessory designs throughout 2020. Starting today, White Rhino Bags will be donating 3% of proceeds from all web sales to help support World Animal Protection’s many amazing campaigns and to offer many more options for cruelty-free products.
So go ahead and feel good about your fashion!
Give a gift that gives back, with a vegan leather bag by White Rhino.
With a range of styles available online now for both men and women you can make a statement this Valentine's Day with a thoughtful, meaningful gift that represents love and compassion for all.