Dallas Fashion Designer Launches Own Vegan Handbag Line — and They’re Already Turning Into Coveted Finds

Seven years ago, fashion designer Nicole Kwon moved to Dallas and opened her own clothing boutique at West Village. Having recently moved to a bigger space at the shopping center, Kwon is now launching a brand new line of vegan handbags, KWONN, on November 4 to provide a more sustainable and animal-friendly handbag to consumers.

The South Korean-born designer is no stranger to the fashion world. In 2003, Kwon moved to the United States to attend The Fashion Institute of Technology and then later attended the London College of Fashion. Working in design offices of Vivienne Westwood, Hussein Chalayan and Peter Som, Kwon built up enough experience to open her own multi-vendor contemporary store, Nicole Kwon Concept Store.

“I saw a niche market here,” Kwon tells PaperCity. “A lot of shoppers here are ahead and on top of the trends.”

She says that her clients in Dallas are fashion-forward and comfortable with their own body so changing up styles and trying new things is always fun. Currently, the clothing trend is more oversized. Where you can dress simple silhouettes up or down, but still have rich textures and fabrics.

What sparked Kwon’s interest in vegan handbags were her golden retriever and 18 month year old son.

“I discovered how toxic leather is to the environment,” she says. “I started to become interested in sustainable fashion and I wanted to see if I could do anything to help. I searched for different options and it took me two or three years to find the material.

“These bags are designed to be treasured.”

Kwon’s bags are crafted in New York City and made PVC-free and toxin-free. The ability to hand-wash them is also a perk. KWONN bags don’t have any hardware, which makes them lightweight, and are made with a non-woven material that look similar to a suede texture sourced in Japan. Dissimilar to other vegan fabrics, Kwon’s bags are made with plant-based polymers.

Kwon designed two products, available in several different colors, a tote style and a crossbody style. Bags features a soft suede texture or are coated to appear like leather. Colors available include camel, peach, blue, mint, grey, copper and black.

Prices start at $495 and Kwon is already taking pre-orders on the tote (which is pretty much already sold out). A launch party will take place at Nicole Kwon Concept Store with bubbles and bags the weekend of November 9.

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