Our goal is to offer stylish women not simply an alternative to leather, but the more beautiful option. We believe that every element of a bag must be beautiful for the end result to be beautiful. For that reason, we select the highest quality, animal-free materials, we source and craft in the USA, and we design classic bags with a modern boldness to keep it fresh – and we make them to last. Best of all, not a single animal is harmed in the making of our bags.
What could be more beautiful?
xx NORA BALDWIN, FOUNDER & CREATIVE
WHY DID YOU START VIVA CREATURES!?
I started out as an attorney. That did not last long. I left my law practice and took loads of design courses – upholstery, garment, interior, pottery, jewelry, handbag – and dreamed of making something beautiful, lasting, and impactful. One day, I was drooling over a gorgeous bag made from calf hair (calf!!) and I realized I could never carry that bag. What it took to make that bag was anything but gorgeous. Viva Creatures! was born.
I believe that style can tell the wearer’s story. Many of us make style choices based on how we feel or how we want to be perceived. Even my dad, who shops for clothing almost exclusively at Costco (as an aside, Costco does have some great stuff!), is telling a story with his knee high socks and plaid shirts (he’d say the story is, “Demonstrating that I don’t care!”).
I won’t get into the ins and outs of the leather industry, but let’s just say all of the animals experience untold suffering. As I said, I believe style can tell the wearer’s story – I created Viva Creatures! to make everyone’s style story more beautiful.
WHAT IS THE VIVA CREATURES! AESTHETIC?
Our line is focused on clean, modern, lasting pieces.
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
Our design studio and offices are located in Colorado.
WHAT MATERIALS DO YOU USE?
We care about our impact on the environment and we select our vendors and produce our bags accordingly. The entire opening collection is made from a nylon microfiber produced in the USA. Our spring line will include bags made from polyurethane. Our materials are nearly indistinguishable from leather – in fact, they are better. They feel luxurious, are highly durable, and unlike leather, will not crack or fade over time.
WHY DON’T YOU INCLUDE DUST BAGS ?
We have made a purposeful decision not to offer dust bags with our bags. We want you to look gorgeous and save animals. The dust bags do not add to either of those goals, aren’t necessary (don’t let those bags gather dust!), and contribute to the endless sea of textiles in landfills. So we scrapped them!
WHY DO YOU MAKE YOUR BAGS IN THE USA?
Although keeping our production domestic has made it more difficult to compete with the larger organizations that produce overseas, it was hugely important to me to make our bags here. First, Viva Creatures! is focused on creating expertly crafted, luxury products and the made-in-the-USA quality is bar none. Second, it is vital to our culture and to our economy to continue to build and retain artisan jobs in the USA and we want to be part of that movement. Finally, we want to serve a customer who wants a different experience – we design and create for unique individuals who are seeking a beautiful bag with a beautiful story – made in the USA is an important part of that story.
YOU ONLY MAKE A LIMITED NUMBER OF EACH BAG, WHY?
It is so nice to be unique! It’s true, we purposefully make a limited number of each style. I love the idea that a girl can carry a Viva Creatures! bag and know that she’s not one of hundreds or, as in most cases with mass produced bags, thousands.
WHAT IS NEXT FOR VIVA CREATURES!?
We just finished our Spring and Fall Collections and they are amazing. We continued the minimalist design aesthetic and logo-free styles that is Viva Creatures!, used earth-toned vegan leathers, and made them in limited quantities at approachable prices. We think these bags are truly timeless. We hope you do too!
