MaKULAY by Oliver Tolentino

For the past two years, I have always been looking forward to the unveiling of the Rags2Riches collection designed by some of the creative minds in the Philippine fashion industry. First there was Rajo Laurel then came Amina Aranaz-Alunan next. This year, RIIR's designer line brings an awe-inspiring collaboration with no less than internationally-acclaimed Filipino couture designer Oliver Tolentino.

Aptly titles "MaKULAY," the Oliver Tolentino collection revealed bright and warm colors. Launched recently at The Gallery of Greenbelt 5 in Ayala Center, Makati City, the limited edition pieces showcased the ingenuity of Tolentino and the enduring craftsmanship of the empowered women from the Payatas community.

Oliver Tolentino (5th from left) and Reese Fernandez-Ruiz (7th from left) flocked by the Payatas Nanays

"MaKULAY" is a wordplay of "ma" (mother) and "kulay" (color) as the collection aims to pay tribute to the remarkable mothers in Philippine history -- Marcela Agoncillo, Gabriela Silang, Corazon Aquino, among others.

Corazon Tomato Bag

Marcela Handbag

Lydia Round Bag with Fringes

Gabriela T-bag, my fave

Corazon Pouch with Pompoms

To make the collection standout all the more, the bags were modelled by gracefully poised muses decked in newspaper dresses fashioned by innovative young designers from the School of Fashion and the Arts (SOFA).

Newspaper clad muses modeled the bags

About the Designer

Oliver Tolentino, one of the most celebrated international haute designers today, is a homegrown talent. He is known for promoting local fabrics and Filipino culture through his pieces. His recognitions include being named Designer of the Week in March 2011 at the Prestigious Fashion Week El Paseo in Palm Springs, California, USA; winner of the Sustainable Eco Fashion Awards in 2010 at the Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas; and one of the finalists at the Oscar Designer Challenge in 2010, among others. His collections have been regularly featured in international glossies and have been worn by celebrities Cee Lo Green, Amber Riley, Kimora Lee Simmons, Vivica Fox, Patty Austin, Arnel Pineda, Lea Salonga, and others.

Global Pinoy Designer Oliver Tolentino

Me with the very down-to-earth Oliver Tolentino

About Rags2Riches

RIIR is am emerging global designer line that was initially established as a social business enterprise armed with a vision to uplift the poor community of Payatas. Now a global Filipino brand, RIIR is one of the most successful designer lines in the Philippines and Asia that promotes eco-ethical lifestyle through its products and business philosophy.

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, President of Rags2Riches

For more information on RIIR and the "MaKULAY" collection, log on to www.rags2riches.ph or check out their Facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Rags2Riches-Inc.

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.