A Life-Giving Project

Rags2Riches (RIIR) has launched yet another project that promises to give back to the community -- the TREE BAG project. It is an initiative of RIIR in collaboration with designer Rajo Laurel, Anthill Fabric Gallery, and three communities from different parts of the country. Together, they produced these wonderful and timely eco-friendly bags aptly named TREE BAGS.

Each bag is large and sturdy enough to allow you to carry everyday stuff and is great as shopping companion (reducing the use of plastic bags). The body is made from scrap threads weaved beautifully by the indigenous weavers of Bangued, Abra; the handle from scrap cloth stylized by the women rug-weavers of Payatas; while the button is from scrap wood lovingly carved by the wood craftsmen of Pardo Cebu.

So what makes these Tree Bags different from other ecobags? By owning one, "you breathe life into a new tree." Yes, you read it right -- for every limited edition RIIR Tree Bag sold, a new tree is planted (thanks to their tree-planting partner, the San Carlos Development Boards, Inc.). So what are you waiting for? Grab a Tree Bag now and "you not only become part of the green chain of eco-ethical style and sustainable movement for Earth, you also get to celebrate the tradition of Ilocano weaving, empower the women of Payatas and the woods craftsmen of Pardo, Cebu."

I've come to know of RIIR way back in 2008 and since then, I've come to love what they stand for and do for the environment and the communities they support. What started out as a project in college sometime in 2007 has blossomed into a full social business enterprise passionate about creating designer lifestyle masterpieces that embody the eco-ethical style. To date, RIIR has launched products in partnership with designers Rajo Laurel and Amina Aranaz-Alunan, who generously lent their time and creative skills to design RIIR products, and have been given hope and livelihood to a community of women rug-weavers from Payatas.

To know more about Rags2Riches, their advocacy and their products, visit their website

http://www.rags2riches.ph.

Tree Bag photo/artwork from Rags2Riches.