Yesterday, I don't like you. Now, I want to have you

One thing I noticed as I age, my style preference changes. I tend to go back to jeans and shirt --my first love. Along the way though, I find myself falling in love on things I used to unlike, not even bother check out, or simply am apathetic about --things that some people may verily want, wondering why.

Months ago, I didn't like RIIR bags. I told myself I'd rather have an Aranaz instead. Few weeks ago, I saw a lady carrying an RIIR at the mall and thought that it's actually pretty nice when carried and is one helluva statement bag. Two days ago, mom and I went to their showroom. The shop attendant was too perky and nice to show us available bags in store.

ABOUT: RIIR, Rags2riches (literally, rags to riches pieces; from scraps to world class ones), by designer Rajo Laurel upcycles scrap cloths (those woven / weaved foot rags we see everywhere) embodying eco-ethical style as they call it with the labor help of the marginalized sector of Payatas.

Weavers of Payatas. photo from HERE

During RIIR's anniversary, they asked famous astists to do limited edition bags for auction including Ben Cab, Raymund Isaac, Jenni Epperson and daugther Aryana, Anita Magsaysay-Ho. Great works and play of ideas, I must say.

Personally, I love the RIIR by Aranaz line. But there's also this RIIR eco-shopping bag called the Tree Bag by Rajo I'm somehow eyeing for and thought that the idea's nice.

 This is the Tree Bag. It's that simple and is foldable. The handle is really nice. The wooden ones are from Cebu, according to the perky shop attendant --forgot about the other detail ;) Nicer in actual.

I find this really nice too; comes in rectangular and other sizes and colors of tirintas which are placed in it vary

This is the bag I'm pertaining to carried by a lady. Hers is black if I'm not mistaken. There are lots of color, even shapes and sizes, and designs to choose from.

Mom wants this Maria Rosa Tote. Again, there are color swatches.

YOU CHOOSE AND CHECK: The quality and craft of the bags differ from one to the other since they are hand-made, I suppose. Even the color combination of the scrap cloths used as the design vary. Due to this, we asked for all stocks available for a design we wanted when we were at the shop to choose which color  to get and workmanship we prefer, in general.   

DISCLAIMER: Photos from different sites I found as I googled, not mine.

Check out their site or simply google to see all products. ;)   

Tweet

ADVOCACY: Native is the new chic

It has always been my advocacy to buy, patronize Filipino made products and know the person behind the craft. Thus, not to sound poser-ish, I do purchase and admire foreign goods and foreign designers. On one end, this post is not about that so let's not delve deep into that anymore but might as well point it out. Going back, at the end of it all, it's good to mix and match the two, or better yet, add a Filipino twist and twang in your wardrobe. 

I find my mom's choices up-to-date. In most times, she is advanced to trend. Our taste is at variance, but as time passes by, I find myself lurking at her closet for accessories and other stuff. I guess one's style changes as one age. 

Personally, my penchant goes for bags --hello mom, it's your fault. My approbation calls out to the following Filipino BAG designers, namely (hello again mom, I blame it all on you, it feels like that I'm writing about your stuff, haha):

Let's start with a Pinay designer whom I admire much. Amina Aranaz-Alunan bags have been a staple here and all over the globe. She is also the person behind School of Fashion and the Arts (SoFA), right outside Urdaneta Village, beside The One School, an entrepreneurial learning institution that is its sister school. Basically, I admire her delicate yet sturdy crafted handbags out of native materials.

REMEMBER, there was this time when eco-friendly bag was a hit. This was my personal pick which I used in school, in most times, during my sophomore year... The "I'm a natural shopper eco bag" by Aranaz:

More of her bags:

the perfect beach / chic travel bag. It always is a stand out whenever we travel

really nice in actual, not quite sure if I "photo-ed" it nicely

close-up of the nice beaded details

(2) Kiculo of Bacolod City

Label derived from the first syllables of the name of the designer’s (Marichu) daughter, Kitkat Cusi Lobaton. Know more about the line HERE. :) And I quote from the article, "Kiculo has become synonymous with class and cutting-edge style that has caught the facy of fashionable Negrenses like Gretchen Cojuanco and Guia Gomez." 

INDEED, NATIVE BAGS WITH A BANG

plaid handle, soft maong-ish material coupled with just the right amount of beading in place

seems like an Indian or from other Asian country handbag (details are of shells and beads) 

brown all over! The knot-tied functioning as zipper is cool. I think I wasn't able to produce a photo of this one well, yea? It actually is nice in actual.

 

(3) Talimaya  

Hand-woven, hand-crafted, summer handbags with the use of local and indigenous materials manufactured by Sharon Azanza. More so, Talimaya bags are exported to Japan, USA and Europe.

Hand-painted design and I love the beading!! I LOVE THIS ONE! 

EQUAL GROUND: WHY I LOVE EM : 'Coz they are all equally chic. The beading and the native materials are well thought of and are crafted perfectly. Plus, they have successfully and proudly reached the international scene --NO WONDER! 

P.S. You also might want to join Pixie Dust's giveaway! Get a chance to win make-up and accessories. CLICK: HERE for details. ;) 

Tweet