Each year, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), the world’s leading nonprofit animal rights organization, celebrates the labels, style icons and forward-thinking designers making the world a better place for animals.

This year, PETA Germany’s Vegan Fashion Awards 2021 has named the K/Kushion bag in cactus leather “Best Designer Piece.” The bag was launched as part of the KARL LAGERFELD X Amber Valletta SS21 capsule, an eco-friendly accessories collection developed in collaboration with supermodel, actress, activist, and now KARL LAGERFELD Sustainability Ambassador, Amber Valletta.

“This award underscores the incredible achievement that Amber and our team were able to attain with this collection,” said Pier Paolo Righi, CEO of KARL LAGERFELD. “The overarching success of the collection, including this award, means a lot to the brand as we continue to excite our customers with responsibly made fashion and accessories.”

The essential bag — inspired by a tailor-made cushion that Karl Lagerfeld was known to carry with him on his travels — is crafted from a vegan cactus leather, an environmentally responsible as well as recyclable material colored with organic pigments. The innovative, plant-based material is produced from native cactus that matches local biodiversity and requires no herbicides, pesticides, or even irrigation, making it not only vegan, but sustainable.

“This award is an honor and proves that environmentally conscious styles can be just as chic and fashion-forward. The fact that it was given to the only brand that carries Karl’s name also feels like a touching tribute to him,” said Amber Valletta. “I am sure we can continue to make significant progress in this respect through originality, cutting-edge design, and true innovation.”

The ecologically responsible collection co-created with Sustainability Ambassador Amber Valletta is part of KARL LAGERFELD’s ongoing commitment to achieving key environmental goals shared in the G7 Fashion Pact. Stay tuned for a second sustainable collaboration for the Spring Summer 2022 collection that will expand to include both accessories and ready-to-wear styles.

Explore the KARL Cares range of environmentally conscious designs crafted with organic, recycled, and bio-based materials, including GOTS-certified organic cotton, Tencel Lyocell, and recycled nylon.