Cork purse £13 SUBERstyle

For those looking for alternatives to leather or unusual hair accessories, the recent Viva! event was the place to be.

I went to the Incredible Veggie Show in Victoria with a group of friends (meat eaters, veggie and vegan) and was impressed at the breadth of stalls.

The show focused mainly on tasty alternatives to meat and dairy, with plenty of free nibbles on offer, but there was plenty more,  from information on animal sanctuaries to puppet shows for children.

On the fashion side, there were some very cute pumps and wedges from Bourgeois Boheme in eye-catching colours and various finishes.

Not to mention strappy summer sandals to suit all tastes. The company proudly proclaims itself  ‘fashion with compassion’ and doesn’t use any animal ingredients in its products.

On the stall there was also a smattering of purses, wallets and belts, made from organic fabrics, and men’s shoes. At least one pair of knee-high boots are calling me…

But so too were the unusual cork handbags at SUBERstyle. All of the products on the stand were made from bark taken from the cork oak fused with cotton – belts, shopping bags, wallets. The company advertises itself as having strong eco-credentials on its website, promoting environmental conservation of habitats in the Mediterranean.

AfricanButterfly.net had a stand, promoting its hairclips, which are hand-beaded in South Africa.

The clips are all variations of one design in natural colours – mainly tan and dark brown – with a variety of beads criss-crossing the combs. Possibly a little expensive at £15 each, but they do come with a guarantee and are something a little different.

For those looking for sensible shoes for walking in, Freerangers is not glamorous (think along the lines of stuff for your gran) but provides comfortable classic shoes and matching accessories.

Freerangers’ products are all handmade and very good value considering the work that goes into them.

So it would seem that you can now accessorise to your heart’s content while upholding your eco ethics.