Kayu
Rated: Good
Price: $$
Location: USA
Quick verdict
Kayu is best for the style-conscious shopper seeking handcrafted straw bags and accessories with a genuine artisan story, especially for resort and vacation wear. The brand's strongest draw is its direct partnerships with women weavers in the Philippines, sandal makers in Greece, and artisan cooperatives in Ecuador, all using 100% natural straw and vegetable-tanned leather. The main caveat: living-wage claims are unverified, the brand holds no environmental certifications, and transparency documentation is minimal.
Key info
- Headquarters
- San Mateo, California, USA
- Founded
- 2011
- Product categories
- Accessories
- Price range
- $$
- Key certifications
- None verified
Kayu sustainability rating
Our ratings are based on a scale from 1 (We Avoid) to 5 (Excellent). How we rate
Rating breakdown
Uses 100% natural straw (not synthetic), vegetable-tanned leather (chemical-free), shell, and wood, all biodegradable. However, no formal certifications like GOTS or OEKO-TEX, and leather use remains a sustainability trade-off.
Partners directly with artisan cooperatives and family workshops. Claims living wages for artisans, but this is unverified. No wage data, methodology, or third-party audit is publicly available.
Handmade production reduces energy use; straw scraps donated as fertilizer. But no carbon data, no packaging sustainability policy, no water reduction initiatives, and a "zero waste in 5 years" goal (stated ~2020) has no public update.
Shares general sourcing info (countries, materials) but lacks detailed supply chain disclosure, third-party audits, sustainability reports, or impact data. No formal certifications whatsoever.
Bags $98–$380, sandals $98–$135. For genuinely handcrafted, artisan-made natural accessories, pricing is competitive within the ethical accessories space and comparable to Cult Gaia or Nannacay.
What they do well
- Genuine artisan partnerships with women weaver cooperatives in the Philippines, third-generation sandal makers in Greece, and artisan groups in Ecuador, preserving disappearing indigenous craft traditions
- Natural over synthetic materials. 100% natural straw, vegetable-tanned leather, shell, and wood across the entire product line, all biodegradable
- Handmade, low-energy production. Small batches with some bags taking days to complete, significantly reducing machinery use
- Waste upcycling. Repurposes factory scraps into small accessories and donates straw waste for agricultural fertilizer
- Industry recognition including The Earth Award in Fashion and Condé Nast Innovation & Design Award finalist; stocked in Bloomingdale's, Anthropologie, J.Crew, Shopbop, and Reformation
Room for improvement
- No third-party certifications at all. No B Corp, no Fair Trade, no GOTS/OEKO-TEX. The brand relies entirely on self-reported claims without independent verification.
- Living wage verification is unclear. Despite brand claims, no wage data or third-party audit exists publicly.
- Environmental transparency is minimal. No sustainability report, no carbon emissions data, no packaging policy.
About Kayu
Kayu (meaning "wood" in Malay) was founded in 2011 by Jamie Lim, who grew up in Southeast Asia witnessing traditional artisan crafts slowly disappearing. Headquartered in San Mateo, California, the brand works with artisan cooperatives primarily in the Philippines (straw bag weaving), Greece (vegetable-tanned leather sandals by third-generation craftspeople), and Ecuador. Some printing work is done in San Francisco.
Core materials include natural straw (harvested, dyed, and woven by hand), vegetable-tanned leather free from harmful chemicals, shell, wood, and natural fibres. Manufacturing is entirely handmade in family-owned workshops and cooperatives, with no factories using heavy machinery. The brand describes its approach as "slow living" and produces in small batches.
Kayu ships worldwide from the US. Domestic shipping is free over $225 or $8 flat rate. Returns are free within the US with a 21-day window; international orders are final sale. A 90-day quality guarantee covers bags purchased directly. The brand has historically donated 2% of sales to organisations like Unite for Sight and Awareness Cambodia, though current status of this programme is unclear. Pricing sits in the mid-to-upper range for accessories ($98–$380 for bags, $98–$135 for sandals), positioning Kayu as accessible luxury relative to competitors like Cult Gaia.
Product highlights
St Tropez Pom Pom Straw Tote
Handwoven natural straw tote with colourful pom pom embellishments
~$155
Best-seller and the brand's most recognised design; frequently featured in fashion press
Jen Clutch with Turquoise Stone
Handwoven straw clutch adorned with natural turquoise stones
~$380
Premium statement piece; each stone is unique, takes multiple days to craft
Rosie Woven Straw Tote
Natural straw tote with ribbon handles, clean modern silhouette
~$175
Good entry-point balancing everyday functionality with artisan detail
Athena Leather Sandal
Handmade in Greece using vegetable-tanned leather
~$116
Chemical-free leather crafted by third-generation Greek sandal makers
