When Londoner Saher Bhatti was working as a commercial lawyer in the heart of the City, she had many frustrations, but the one which prompted a completely new career change was not to do with the stresses of the legal profession, but rather to do with not being able to find the right accessories. Needing a bag that was practical yet stylish, at an affordable price point, she realised there was a gap in the market for pieces that reflected the fast-paced, versatile lifestyle of the modern woman. She also realised there were hardly any brands at this level which offered an ethical and sustainable approach to fashion.

Bags from Lawful London marry style and ethics.

Eventually, after meeting with a UK designer, who had previously collaborated with the likes of Ralph Lauren and House of Fraser, they came up with the concept of Lawful London atimeless, cruelty-free fashion house that took conventional handbag styles and enhanced their capabilities, as well as not compromising on ethics.

Bags are practical and covetable.

The Classic Collection is Lawful Londons first range, and includes three styles of contemporary, adaptable bags: the Aspen, Dahlia and Sienna. The bags are made from cruelty-free vegan leather (PETA-approved) and are also eco-friendly (PVC-free). Combining functional features such as slip pockets, laptop sleeves, detachable straps and bottle holders the range is not only suitable for well-heeled travellers, but also has travel at its heart. Crucial to launching the brand, says Saher, she travelled extensively for a year around the world to find just the right suppliers that fitted in with her ethical ethos, to garner style ideas and to find partners who would fit in with her vision. Here, she explains how this experience has ultimately shaped the brand.

What countries did you go to in the quest to find the right supplier for your brand?

When looking for a supplier in the first instance, I considered Italy, South Korea and China. After exploring the manufacturing options with a few Italian suppliers and learning of their reluctance to experiment with alternative materials, I had to consider suppliers located elsewhere, as cruelty-free fabrics are a key component of the brand. I then approached suppliers in South Korea and China, after researching the best factories for vegan leather, and also discovering where existing brands were manufacturing high-quality ethical products. Both countries have a number of experienced suppliers who manufacture using leather alternatives. However, China is undoubtedly the manufacturing capital of the world, and from my own experience, I think this is due to the extensive choice they can provide to businesses of all sizes, in terms of quality, materials and manufacturing speeds.

Behind the scenes: design sheets.

Where did you find the right supplier which fits in with the ethos of your brand?

I finally found the right supplier in China, but the manufacturing journey was far from straight forward. China has so much choice, so while it is easier to locate a factory that will produce using cruelty-free fabrics, it is very difficult to find a manufacturer that will also create products that accurately represent the design sheets and provide the desired finish. The search for a factory that reflected the ethos of the brand of no compromises on ethics, quality and aesthetics was incredibly challenging and time-consuming, but after working with five suppliers in China and multiple sample rounds, I finally found the best supplier for Lawful London located in Guangzhou.

What were the highlights of your 'year of travel'?

There are so many highlights and small wins when travelling around. The best was reaching the final products after 12-months of liaising with suppliers, sourcing materials and working with factories to produce prototypes followed by multiple sample rounds. Another key highlight was meeting a bag designer in New York completely randomly in a pop-up space. She spoke to me about her experiences, and it was refreshing to meet someone who had already gone through the same struggles. My trip to America also gave me so much inspiration. I discovered so many ethically produced high-quality products, and this gave me confidence that it was possible to source the fabrics to produce excellent bags with immaculate workmanship. It reinforced that my vision was totally achievable, it was simply a matter of time and commitment to the process with perhaps a couple of hurdles along the way.

A fitting travel companion.

In terms of travel, what inspires you?

I am inspired by variety and innovation. I love travelling to places which continually seek to evolve, showcase something new and deliver new experiences. I also enjoy learning about local cultures. Born and raised in the UK, there are a number of similarities with other western countries, so travelling to other regions, such as the Middle East, provides greater insight into what local people want, how they view trends and whats important for them, ethically or otherwise. As a fashion brand aimed at providing timeless accessories, it is important for us to understand how style trends, ethics and values are perceived globally in order to create classic, contemporary and universally appealing products.

Is there a country that is leading the way when it comes to vegan living?

The USA is definitely leading the way for vegan living. The choice of vegan products, including food, beauty, fashion and household items, are endless and not solely limited to supermarkets or online vegan websites. This is clear even when shopping in prestigious stores like Bergdorf Goodman, which offers such a vast range of vegan products in response to the fact that it is no longer an online-only market. The visibility, accessibility and range of products in the USA generally, shows that American brands have reacted well to the shift in values and lifestyle choices of the vast number of people who are choosing to embrace ethical, sustainable living.

What is the USP of Lawful London?

The USP is thecombination of ethics, form and functionality. We understand the difficulty of finding a durable workbag that is ethically produced, practical for everyday use yet still contemporary and timeless. When creating the products, we were committed to designing bags which were practically beautiful in every way aesthetically, ethically and functionally. Each bag has been designed with all three concepts in mind with no single factor being more important than the other as shown in the first range, the Classic Collection.

Have bag, will travel.

How has your background in law helped you in the launch of the brand?

Law is a very challenging career that taught me so many transferable skills which I use in my business. From my legal background, I now appreciate the importance of patience, perseverance and purpose. Without these three key qualities, I think it is very difficult to achieve ambitious personal or professional goals. My journey as a lawyer involved many ups and downs, acceptance of continuous learning and personal development, late nights, high expectations from colleagues and clients, setbacks and disappointments. This is reflective of business. Creating a valuable and thoughtful product, a brand that people relate to and love, and learning from your customer to continually improve and create better products involves patience, consistency and dedication to a defined purpose.

Ethical and sustainable fashion is having a moment is this the way the industry is going?

I feel like its a movement and not just a moment. When the concept of ethical and sustainable fashion started to become more recognised a few years back, a lot of people were reluctant to connect with them to the extent that they do now. Perhaps with the rise of big brand initiatives, such as H&Ms Conscious Collection, Net-a-Porters launch of Net Sustain and Selfridges commitment to stop selling exotic animal skins, coupled with the growth of brands, like Stella McCartney and Everlane, people are more accepting of ethical fashion. The ethos is becoming embedded in mainstream brands and department stores. I think customers are also becoming increasingly aware of the impact of fast fashion and are beginning to consider other alternatives, which I feel will only increase, particularly as public awareness of the related environmental concerns continue to grow.

Where do you like to travel to?

I like to travel to places with a positive, vibrant atmosphere and a sense of uniqueness and innovation, where people are encouraged to explore the future without losing their culture and values. At the moment, Japan is top of my list of places to visit due to its innovation, culture and notoriously nice people not forgetting its neon-sky scrapers and Pokmon Outbreaks!

Saher putting her ideas to work.

What is the ideal holiday for you?

Depending on my mood, either a digital detox on a relaxing beach break or a city trip, sightseeing and exploring local culture, food and fashion!

How do you marry your ethical beliefs with a strong sense ofbusiness?

When launching Lawful London, I wanted to create something that would make a difference in business and learn how to make a business out of making a difference. I yearned for more than business success I wanted meaning and to contribute to making a positive impact on the world by creating better products in a better way.Combining a for-profit company with a social mission doesnt undermine either. The ethical beliefs make the bags more than a product, theyre part of a story, a mission and a movement open to anyone who wants to contribute something positive to the world. Building a business which helps women change a previously thoughtless purchasing decision into a meaningful one is both positive, rewarding and sustainable from a business and personal perspective.

Bringing an ethical approach to fashion.

What's next for Lawful London?

We are currently designing our second collection, which is aimed at the modern woman who wants a grab-and-go, easy bag. Something a little less formal but with the same elegance and ethics as the first collection. Were also exploring other cruelty-free, sustainable fabric options which may be suitable for a softer finish for the second collection.

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See the article here:
Lawful London: How Travel Influenced This New Sustainable Fashion Brand - Forbes