Looking for Vegan Leather Bags Wholesale? Here Is Something Better

If you are a retailer searching for vegan leather bags wholesale, this is the honest answer: James&Co does not sell them. We supply something we think is better, and this post explains what it is, why we do not call it vegan leather, and how to stock it.

Why we do not call our bags vegan leather

Most products sold as vegan leather are polyurethane (PU) or PVC. Both are plastic. A cosmetic bag made from them is cruelty-free in the narrow sense, but it is still a plastic bag with the same end of life as any other plastic product.

We have taken a position on the term since 2023. Plant-based materials such as washable paper and cork are an alternative to both real leather and vegan leather, and we think they are best described by what they are. Italy went further in 2020 and banned the word "leather" for any material not derived from animals. That is why every James&Co, CORKSTORE and Earth Totes product is named by its material, never by comparison to leather. You can read the full argument in Is vegan leather a leather fabric or is it a sparkling wine not Champagne?

What we supply instead: three plant-based materials, three brands

James&Co is the holding company for three brands. Each brand works in one material, and all three are plastic-free, vegan and plant-based.

• James&Co: FSC-certified washable paper. Natural cellulose fibres with non-toxic binders, Oeko-Tex certified, water-resistant, lightweight, and it can be washed and reused. It softens with use.
• CORKSTORE: 100% natural FSC-certified cork from Portugal. The bark is harvested and regenerates, so no tree is cut down. Naturally water-resistant, stain-resistant and lightweight, with a surface pattern that varies from piece to piece.
• Earth Totes: eco canvas, a plant-based fabric with no synthetic leather or animal content.

The range is cosmetic bags, toiletry bags, a hanging travel organiser and cork compact mirrors. Every product is in the Vegan Cosmetic Bags & Plastic-Free Toiletry Bags collection.

Washable paper by James&Co

ELSA is a fold-over cosmetic bag with a soft cotton interior, MERRY is a zip-closure structured toiletry bag, and BEV is a hanging organiser with a hook and internal compartments.

Cork by CORKSTORE

ANNIE is a zip-closure cosmetic bag in three sizes, MARY is the toiletry travel bag, and CONNIE pairs a cosmetic bag with a matching compact mirror.

Eco canvas by Earth Totes

CARA is a half-moon cosmetic bag with a zip closure, in small, medium and large, and LIBBY stands upright in red.

Replacing plastic cosmetic bags, not adding another line

Retailers do not need another cosmetic bag. Pharmacies, gift stores, lifestyle stores, travel retailers, newsagencies, luggage stores and book stores already sell them, and most of what is on the shelf is PU, PVC, polyester or nylon. The opportunity is to keep the product customers are already buying and replace the plastic version with a plant-based one.

The products are compact, competitively priced and need little shelf space, and the same range can sit in several places in one store: beauty and cosmetics, travel and personal care, wellness and self-care, gifts and seasonal promotions, and front-counter displays. Our pharmacy page and retailer page set this out in more detail.

How wholesale ordering works

• James&Co is wholesale only. We do not sell to consumers and we do not dropship.
• Products are sold in units. A unit is typically 10 pieces of one product; a compact mirror unit is 20 pieces. The minimum order is 1 unit.
• New wholesale customers receive 5% off their first order. Orders of 6 units or more receive a 5% bulk discount. The discounts do not stack; the better one applies automatically.
• Prices on the store are wholesale prices, excluding GST.
• Products are labelled with paper tags and shipped in paper or cardboard. No plastic packaging is used.
• 1% of each purchase is donated to Suicide Prevention Australia.

Full pricing by product is on the wholesale price page. To order, register your business for a wholesale account or get in touch.

Frequently asked questions

Is washable paper a vegan leather?

No. Washable paper is a plant-based material made from cellulose fibres. It has a leather-like texture without synthetic coatings, which makes it a direct alternative to PU and leather, but it is not leather of any kind and we do not describe it that way.

Is cork a leather?

No. Cork is the bark of the cork oak tree, harvested without cutting the tree down. The term "cork leather" is in common use, which is why our material page carries it, but the product is cork.

How do customers look after the bags?

Washable paper is water-resistant and can be washed and reused, and it softens with use. Cork is naturally water-resistant and stain-resistant. Neither needs conditioning products.

What is the minimum order?

1 unit of any product. A unit is typically 10 pieces, or 20 for a compact mirror.

Can I see the full range in one place?

Yes. All 17 products across the three brands are in the Vegan Cosmetic Bags & Plastic-Free Toiletry Bags collection, and the Wholesale Cosmetic Bags collection groups them for retail buyers.