Handbags Uncorked

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July 25, 2017 2 min read 39 Comments

Handbag designer Natalie DiBello uses an unlikely sustainable material for her collection: cork.

This isn’t your wine bottle stopper variety. It’s actually thinly shaved cork adhered to cotton fabric. Natalie buys bolts in bulk from vendors in Portugal, the world’s top supplier. Once it arrives, she gets to work sewing each item in her Massachusetts home studio. It’s the ultimate handmade product; Natalie is on target to personally cut, sew, tag and pack 10,000 items by the end of the year.

Some are calling cork the new leather. That suits Natalie just fine.

“People love it; it’s eye-catching because it’s unusual,” Natalie says. “It’s been important for me from the beginning to stay small yet sustainable and focus on something that is eco friendly.”

Natalie started designing purses when she left her corporate job eight years ago. After much trial and error, and a recommendation from her architect sister who was familiar with the durability and versatility of cork, Natalie made the switch from “funky cotton prints.” Her first year—2009—she sold 100 handbags. Today her bags are available at more than 150 retail and online stores nationwide.

Through her company Natalie Therése, Natalie has created more than a dozen handbag styles, from totes to cross body bags. Accessories include wallets and pencil cases. Last year, Natalie added the Be Lively digitally printed line featuring a global-inspired mosaic tile design.

Prices are competitive with wallets starting at $14 and handbags at $142, making it fashionable and affordable. The lightweight material is also soft, easy to clean, stain-resistant and waterproof.

This summer Natalie Therése will unveil a backpack with the line’s signature faux leather accent in lime green, red, navy or black at the base.

“My work is very gratifying, I love what I do,” Natalie says. “I’m not going to pretend it’s not really hard at times, trying to break through the next level of creating something new. But everything I’m doing is coming from me and that feels really cool.”

Want to see Natalie’s handbags and accessories for yourself? Visit natalietherese.com.

*GIVEAWAY* Comment below with your favorite color wristlet (visit NatalieTherese.com) and be entered to win one small wristlet and also receive a LooHoo 5-Pack. A winner will be announced July 31, 2017.

39 Responses

Margo

December 01, 2019

Natalie these wristlets beautiful. The pop of color make them so fun.

Melinda

July 31, 2017

Aqua is my favourite.

Harmony

July 28, 2017

Black. :)

Kim K

July 28, 2017

Very nice! It’s hard to pick one colour. I love the red zipper!

Jen

July 27, 2017

What a lovely giveaway! Thank you! I really love the way the black zipper contrasts with the cork!

Cindy Loomis

July 27, 2017

All of Natalie’s bags are beautiful and unique! On the wristlet, I think I like the apple green the most.

Dorothy Lane

July 27, 2017

I love this! The red really pops!

Eve McGee

July 27, 2017

The orange is PERFECT for me. Thank you so much for making these!!

Catherine Lenarski

July 27, 2017

Love the navy!

Vanessa

July 26, 2017

Love the purple.

Lenka

July 26, 2017

My favorite is orange

stephen jones

July 26, 2017

APPLE GREEN

Sue

July 26, 2017

The purple is beautiful!! Would make one feel like a royal!

jeannine d

July 26, 2017

love the green

Amy Webster

July 26, 2017

Aqua! It pops!

Martha

July 26, 2017

Definitely the brown; the contrast is appealing and looks all natural.

Jennifer Essad

July 25, 2017

This is a wonderful gift, I’d choose butterscotch for the wristlet but when I purchase directly I’ll go with “Mammoth” – thanks for introducing us to Natalie, her designs are gorgeous and what an adventure she has ahead of her