Entrepreneurs Kate O’Neill and Michael O’Malley have seen their fashion venture, Kalo, flourish. Launched in November 2022, Kalo produces vegan handbags made from apple skin leather. In less than a year, the innovative range found its place in Arnotts department store.
Despite their full-time jobs, Kate and Michael ambitiously started Kalo. Their vegan leather bags, priced from €120, quickly made a mark in the Irish accessories fashion scene. The brand has recently won Pitch 23, an annual initiative by the Brown Thomas Arnotts retail group that supports emerging Irish businesses. The victory brings Kalo a €10,000 business development fund, store space in Henry Street, and online presence at Arnotts.ie.
The apple leather, sourced from Italy, is a by-product of the apple juice industry. The couple contracted a Chinese manufacturer to craft the bags. Kate, a vegetarian, noticed a market gap for affordable vegan leather options. After researching various fruit-based vegan leathers, they found apple leather to be the closest to real leather in terms of durability and appearance.
The €10,000 prize will be invested in production and increasing stock levels. Kalo currently offers two bag styles in three colors, along with a hairband. The couple is also working on a new bag for the summer season.
Source: independent.ie