CorkStyle Shop has been importing cork bags, accessories and cork fabric, from Portugal since 2007.  Cork handbags and accessories have generated interest in an eco-conscious market looking for a durable product that is aesthetic, light-weight and an alternative to leather.

HOW CORK CAME INTO OUR LIVES...

My family was touring Portugal when I noticed a unique handbag in a tourist shop in Praca Figueira, Lisbon. We were amazed to find out the bag was made from cork! It had an organic feel to it that gave it “soul.” The shopkeeper told us that cork comes from the “quercus suber” oak tree and its use in fashion was gaining popularity worldwide. Our travels lead us south to Alentejo and the Algarve where we encountered “cork tree” orchards in various stages of growth and harvest. Our guide book explained that each tree was numbered and the cork bark gets harvested every nine years. As the cork industry is southern.  Portugal’s main industry, it is protected by law to ensure skillful and ethical production, giving the trees a life lasting over 200 years. Upon return to Canada, my precious cork handbag became an object of interest amongst my friends. I was even stopped on the street and asked where I bought such an interesting purse! I've been proud to import sustainable, durable and eco-friendly.

WHERE DOES CORK COME FROM?

Cork is a unique creation of nature: It comes from a specific oak tree (Quercus suber) and has been used for thousands of years in many ways. It is commonly known for its use as a sealer of wine bottles. Cork trees occupy vast areas of the Mediterranean west basin, but are concentrated in the southern provinces of Portugal. They require a lot of light, relatively little rain and a degree of humidity. They thrive in high altitudes and in proximity to vineyards.