Piper and Skye’s Handbags

Looking for a chic new handbag? How about one made of invasive Burmese python leather?

At Piper and Skye, where the tagline is ‘We love what we’re made of,’ you can find handbags at the corner of style and sustainability. The brand was founded by CEO and Gables resident Joanna MacDonald, a style and sustainability enthusiast who is committed to using the most ethical and sustainable business practices in the creation of her wares.

To qualify for use in Piper and Skye’s handbags, an animal skin must meet specific criteria. Firstly, it should come from a species that is either overpopulated in its natural habitat or considered an invasive species. This ensures that the reduction or eradication of the species is justified. Secondly, the animal should be used as a food source, meaning its meat is consumed. This approach honors the animal by utilizing every part possible, including its skin. In this way, Piper and Skye focus on minimizing waste, maximizing resource utilization, and addressing environmental concerns.

MacDonald, who has been growing her business since its founding in 2015, recently became a part-time Coral Gables resident to be closer to her retailers, which are based throughout Florida — including Showfields on Miami Beach. You can go there or order online. “I call it a slow burn,” she says of the brand’s growth. Her passion for ethical business and sustainability stems from her upbringing, working for her family’s farm equipment manufacturing business in Canada. There, she learned about sustainable practices. “It’s about doing things the right way, not the easy way [or] the quick way,” she says.

Her love for handbags can also be traced back to her family. She fondly recalls the influence of her grandmother, who she says instilled her appreciation for handbags. “That’s where my interest comes from — she loved everything from expensive handbags to taking me to Tijuana to barter for $10 bags,” says Macdonald. This familial connection fueled the CEO’s passion, blending her personal mission of sustainability with a heartfelt personal connection to the craft.

MacDonald splits her time between Canada, where Piper & Skye was founded, and Coral Gables. The relocation was inspired in part by the desire to use the skins of invasive Burmese pythons in the Everglades for the brand’s handbags. Piper and Skye is now partnered with Inversa Leathers, a tannery that exclusively uses leather from invasive species. In addition to using their raw materials, the company has also partnered with Inversa in an educational capacity. “We’re going to team up and go out to design schools to educate emerging designers on biodiversity and the ecological benefits of using these materials in their designs,” says MacDonald.

Piper and Skye uses ethically sourced animal products over vegan leather or other manufactured materials because natural materials are actually more sustainable when properly sourced.

“There’s a lot of misinformation amongst the general population about the fact that the chemicals required to make vegan leather are way more damaging to the planet than just using regular cow leather,” says MacDonald, referencing her experience in the world of agriculture.

“Just like the materials we use, cows are already a food source for so many people. If the skins were not used in beautiful handbags, they would be headed to a landfill.”

This dedication to ethical sourcing and sustainable practices has earned Piper and Skye the prestigious Butterfly Mark certification, an internationally recognized independent award for luxury brands that meet the highest standards for sustainability. “This is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life,” says MacDonald of the Butterfly Mark. “I’m very proud to have achieved it.”