About Us

Why Bark & Elm💚

  Bark & Elm is a luxury eco-lifestyle brand rooted in simplicity, sustainability and timeless design.

Thoughtfully designed in the UK, our mission is to create beautifully functional products that help you live more consciously, without compromising on style.

Each Bark & Elm bag is handcrafted from durable, washable paper; an innovative, sustainable material that’s as practical as it is elegant. Lightweight yet strong, our bags are designed to adapt to your life while treading lightly on the planet.

We believe in living simply, consuming mindfully, and choosing products that reflect both purpose and beauty.

We're always exploring new ways to bring you versatile, earth-kind designs.

✨About Washable Paper✨

In our search for a sustainable alternative to leather and plastic, we discovered a material that completely captured our hearts: strengthened washable paper.

Made from responsibly sourced wood pulp and bonded with organic cellulose fibres, this innovative material is both eco-conscious and beautifully functional. The production process is closed-loop, meaning all chemicals used are captured and reused—leaving minimal environmental impact.

The wood pulp comes primarily from cultivated forests, recycled wood, and reclaimed by-products such as industry offcuts, storm-damaged timber, and unused wooden pallets. Never from deforestation.

What drew us to this material, beyond its sustainability was its unique character and versatility. Washable paper is durable, lightweight, biodegradable, and it develops a rich, leathery look over time. With age and use, each piece takes on a charming vintage look, making it truly your own.

Caring for your bag is simple: just hand wash or wipe down gently with cold or warm soapy water, reshape, and let it dry naturally. Please avoid machine washing, dry cleaning, or ironing.

At Bark & Elm, we’re proud to champion this earth-friendly material, and excited to share its story with you. 💚