OUR STORY
Welcome to Coneli, where sustainability meets timeless elegance.
Coneli launched in autumn 2024 with the vision to be a leader in sustainable fashion, transforming everyday essentials into eco-friendly, timeless pieces that inspire conscious living and empower communities. While most brands still rely on leather or recycled leather for handbags - primarily because animal skins are byproducts of the meat industry - animal leather has long been associated with high quality, durability, and luxury. However, have you ever considered the carbon footprint, the vast amounts of water required by the leather industry, or the fact that we have an excess of leather? It's time to embrace alternative materials to drive change.
Join us on this extraordinary journey to discover new vegan material options, and together, let's redefine what it means to be fashionable, responsible, and utterly fabulous.
All our designs are hand crafted in Portugal, a country renowned for its expertise in high-quality technical fabrics and craftsmanship.
What sustainability means to us:
If you look into sustainability transparency is key to all solutions. Vegan leather options often include plastic and are still far from being 100% clean, but their impact on our planet is lower in many ways.
OUR Founders
Conny is the vision behind Coneli. A marketing and sales expert with over 10 years of experience in business development, e-commerce, and strategy. As a working mom and advocate for women in leadership, Conny's mission is to create thoughtful, sustainable products that delight customers and make a positive impact.
Francisco Javier, with his background in brand design and creative direction, is bringing the Coneli vision to reality. He has led design teams worldwide and designed brands for multiple startups across the consumer goods and technology sectors.
Together they are committed to creating products that blend sustainability, functionality, and style for modern women.
Just believe in what feels right
How it all started
Coneli was born out of a personal journey of transformation. As a digital marketer thriving in the fast-paced startup scene of Berlin, I found myself searching for something more meaningful. After relocating my family to Portugal, I embraced a slower, more mindful lifestyle, deeply connected to the surrounding natural landscape. This change led me to reflect on the kind of future I wanted for my children—one that wasn’t defined by the disposable nature of fast fashion, but by environmental responsibility, community, and conscious living.
Inspired by the need for more sustainable alternatives to everyday items like the tote and fanny pack, I envisioned Coneli Bags—a brand dedicated to crafting beautiful, versatile bags using eco-friendly vegan leathers. Each bag is designed to offer timeless style and practicality while staying true to ethical principles. Our bags are hand crafted in Portugal, a country renowned for its expertise in high-quality technical fabrics and craftsmanship. Through Coneli, I aim to support local artisans and contribute to the regional economy, building a future of quality, responsible practices, and opportunity for generations to come.
Want to know more what is behind Coneli
Our founder writes monthly in our news section about the developments, visions, and reasons behind Coneli. Our purpose is to create something together with you, that changes the industry.