What is KALO?
KALO is a Dublin-based accessory brand that puts sustainability right at the heart of everything it does. The brand’s journey has been all about offering stylish, versatile, and high-quality vegan leather accessories without breaking the bank. What makes KALO stand out? It uses only the most advanced sustainable and recycled materials available, making eco-conscious fashion accessible and chic.
The Main Benefit of KALO’s Approach
Here’s what makes KALO’s products truly special:
- Debut product: The Everything Bag, launched in November 2022
- Materials: Leather made from apple waste and lining crafted from recycled bottles
- Focus: Stylish staples that are kind to the environment
- Design: Created and hand-selected by founders Kate and Michael (aka Malo) in Ireland
- Operations: Stocked, packed, and shipped directly from their Dublin design studio
- Core value: Sustainability is the number one priority
- Product qualities: Durable, easy to care for, timeless designs
The Story Behind KALO
KALO was born out of a simple but powerful need: high-quality vegan accessories that don’t cost a fortune. Kate and Michael launched the brand in 2022, but the idea sparked years earlier. Back in 2019, while working at Brown Thomas, Kate noticed a big gap in the market—beautiful handbags were everywhere, but vegan leather options? Not so much. And those that did exist were often way out of budget for most people her age.
A Light Bulb Moment in Dublin
Michael’s story adds a really personal touch to the brand’s origin. Just before Christmas 2019, he was on the hunt for a vegan leather purse for Kate, wanting to replace an old animal hide one she had. He searched high and low—online, Grafton Street, Henry Street—but couldn’t find anything that hit the right balance of quality and price. That frustrating experience? It was the light bulb moment that sparked KALO’s creation.
Design and Production with a Purpose
Every KALO bag is designed in Ireland, with apple leather carefully hand-selected by Kate and Malo themselves. The brand takes pride in managing the entire process from their Dublin studio—stocking, packing, and shipping each product with care. It’s not just about making bags; it’s about crafting pieces that customers will love and cherish, all while staying true to sustainability.
KALO’s Impact on Sustainable Development Goals
- SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by using recycled and sustainable materials
- SDG 13: Climate Action – reducing environmental impact through eco-friendly production
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – supporting local design and production in Dublin
- SDG 15: Life on Land – promoting alternatives to animal leather, protecting biodiversity
Why KALO Matters in Today’s Fashion World
In a market flooded with fast fashion and unsustainable choices, KALO offers a breath of fresh air. It proves that you don’t have to compromise on style or quality to be kind to the planet. With its roots firmly planted in sustainability and a genuine passion for vegan accessories, KALO is setting a new standard—one apple leather bag at a time.
