NEWEL: RIIR's Spring/Summer 2013 Collection

I first encountered Rags2Riches (RIIR) in 2008 at an event of the Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) where they were awarded the top prize in the Philippine Business in Development (BiD) Challenge organized by PBSP and the Dutch BiD Network Foundation.  I remember marveling at their venture that transforms scrap cloth into designer products and at that time, they were working on woven bags with established designer Rajo Laurel and giving livelihood opportunities for the women of Payatas.  Since then I have been following this social enterprise and their collections from RIIR’s collaboration with Rajo Laurel to Amina Aranaz and Oliver Tolentino.

The new collection

This year, RIIR launched their Spring/Summer collection at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5 with two things in mind: to give the spotlight to their in-house designers and to give tribute to a special material indigenous to the Philippines.  “Newel,” the latest S/S collection of RIIR, was inspired by the intricate and unique weaves of the Tinalak of the T’boli tribe of Mindanao (Newel means “weave” in T’boli). 

According to Vivian Lee, Operations Director of Rags2Riches, “Our design inspiration is tribal chic and with Tinalak, we wanted to promote the woven materials of the T’boli community.  We had some of the colors customized to give the designs a modern twist.”

The stage of the RIIR launch at the Gallery, Greenbelt 5

Models showing the six styles of the Newel collection

The artisans who made the RIIR bags

(l-r) the host, RIIR style advocate Bianca Gonzalez,
RIIR president Reese Fernandez-Ruiz and
Newel collection design  consultant Rajo Laurel

“RIIR has always been about empowering communities and we wanted to expand our reach to different communities in the Philippines,” said Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, President of Rags2Riches. “The weave production takes about 2-3 months but we were lucky because we were able to partner with another social enterprise who is a supplier of Tinalak so they will be able to deliver more quantity and at the same time, have a unique aspect in its (weave) designs.”

The Newel collection as prepared backstage for the launch

The Newel collection, named in T’boli words, has six styles to offer – three totes and three clutches -- in vibrant colors to suit moods and occasions: the Hedem Hobo Bag (The Thinking Woman), the Ofi Clutch (Fire), the Kena Tote Bag (Dream), the Kulon Clutch (Rain), the Kenmu Clutch (Fist), and the Benwu Tote Bag (World).  Every creation is sure to catch the eye with its versatility and ingenious patterns.

Kulon clutch

Ofi clutch

Kenmu clutch

Hedem hobo bag

Kena tote bag

Benwu tote bag

The Rags2Riches woman

All designs were made as colorful and distinct to fit the style of the modern, fashion-forward women of today. 

“RIIR’s Spring/Summer collection is a stylish innovation.  Utilizing the Tinalak, an indigenous weaving technique that is inspired by dreams, myths and beliefs, RIIR’s newest collection is dedicated to the RIIR women who are women with substance and unique style,” shared Joe Mark Pardiñas, Sales and Marketing Manager of Rags2Riches.

(l-r) RIIR president Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, me, and
RIIR operations director Vivian Lee

Triple firsts

Aside from being RIIR’s first venture to fully incorporate an indigenous material in their collection, this is also the first line of bags solely designed by RIIR’s in-house designers.

Ruiz explained, “This is the first design collaboration of RIIR’s in-house designers under the design direction of Rajo Laurel.  We felt it was high time to create something to showcase and highlight the talents of our in-house designers.”

Another first is, coinciding with the launch of its Spring/Summer collection, RIIR also unveiled its first style advocate, Bianca Gonzalez.  A well-known celebrity and fashion icon, Bianca is a woman that personifies the RIIR women: empowered, passionate, and compassionate.

RIIR's Style Advocate

“We believe that Bianca Gonzalez is the epitome of a RIIR woman, someone who personifies the values that we uphold and seek to promote with every unique RIIR creation,” Pardiñas added.

The style advocate

Bianca Gonzalez is happy to be RIIR’s style advocate because, “Rags2Riches is revolutionary and the reason why I bought my RIIR bags was when I heard about the advocacy behind it, helping the nanays of Payatas, plus it was collaboration with friends Rajo and Amina.  More than being an ambassador or endorser, a style advocate is not just a face to represent the brand but actually believes in the products and uses them.”

Celebrity Bianca Gonzalez

When asked what she thinks made RIIR chose her as style advocate, Bianca quips, “My passion for advocacy.  I’m not really a ‘fashionista.’ I read trends in magazines but I prefer the casual and classic look and I wear whatever I feel is comfortable. I’m not one to pile on accessories because I like just one focal point in an outfit so I like the RIIR bags – simple yet unique and attractive enough to be my one and only accessory.”

And her personal favorite from the Newel collection is, ”The Ofi clutch because I prefer small bags. My bag here (points to the large gray Benwu tote beside her during the interview) is an exception because I need a big bag when I’m working.”

About Rags2Riches

Rags2Riches Inc. is a for-profit social enterprise based in Manila, Philippines, creating eco-ethical fashion and home accessories out of up cycled scrap cloth, organic materials and indigenous fabrics by working with artisans (mostly women) living in the poor communities across the country.  Rags2Riches’ philosophy stands upon its four bottom lines: People, Profit, Planet and Positive Influence.  For more information, visit www.rags2riches.ph.