I remember that I attended for once a bag designer launch in Greenbelt 5 and I went there as a photographer for my wife for her fashion blog. I see that Oliver Tolentino, a global Filipino designer, never stops in creating new bag designs and weaved by our people in Payatas, this social business enterprise working under the name RIIR aka rags 2 riches, really helps and uplift the poor community of Payatas and I heard that the network is growing and more were given jobs as one of the bag makers for our designers. For this new bag designer line dubbed as "MaSAYA" , is in partnership with Metrobank Platinum and designed by internationally acclaimed Filipino designer Oliver Tolentino. Not only helping the poor community buy also set a good example in being a social responsible designer and promoting the preservation of the environment
check out the bags below and story about this RIIR project
Tolentino draws inspiration from the blissful spirit embodied by the women of Payatas, the artisans who painstakingly hand-weaved the fabric materials used for the collection. “I wanted the bags to stand out from the typical brown, tan, black handbags. I hope they will be conversation starters and confident women will happily and proudly share the inspiring story behind the bags,” quipped Hollywood’s most in-demand Filipino designerAll materials used in the MaSAYA bag collection by Oliver Tolentino were made from scrap fabrics material that are converted to functional high fashion products through a process called "upcycling" <--sounds like recyling, but I like the word upcycling, its like bringing in those scraps into high fashion and for the upscale market.
A burst of vibrant colors, the collection also showcase the “kantinares” pattern of the indigenous women of Bangued, Abra, who celebrate their Tingguian origin by continuing their living traditions of fabric weaving in the hopes of passing it on to younger generations. Like the women of Payatas, their valued skill is also the source of their sustenance.
The use of discarded materials is part of an advocacy to help conserve the environment while providing a sustainable source of income for the artisans behind the products
“Sustainable fashion is the hottest thing right now and wherever I go I promote our native fabrics. I personally have introduced them to the fashion dean of Parsons in New York, the owners of Paul Mitchell, an eco fabric charity in Hong Kong, the crowd at the Ronald Reagan 100th birthday gala, and my fashion shows in the Bahamas and Palm Springs. I get a lot of pride out of exposing what we, Filipinos can create to people who have never seen our indigenous fabrics,”Tolentino has been recognized for his contribution to haute couture all over the world, just like he was named "Designer of the Week" in March 2011 at the prestigious Fashion Weekk El Paseo in Palm Springs, california, USA.
- Oliver Tolentino
Also hailed as winner of the Sustainable Eco Fashion Award in 2010 at the Islands of the World Fashion Week in the Bahamas and the finalists at the Oscars Designer Challenge in 2010.
His collections have been regularly featured in international glossy titles like Beverly Hills Lifestyle, Serendipity, and Hong Kong Tatler. His creations have been worn by three Grammy winners, two Emmy winners, an Oscar nominee, an NAACP Image Award winner, and by attendees at the esteemed Oscars and the Golden Globes Awards. Hollywood celebrities Cee Lo Green, Amber Riley, Jenna Ushkowitz, Sophia Bush, Kimora Lee Simmons, Vivica Fox, Patty Austin, Macy Gray, Arnel Pineda, Lea Salonga, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, Camille Grammer, Niecy Nash, Tatyana Ali, Eva La Rue, Wendy Davis, and Aly Michalka have all worn his designs.
for more info, visit : www.rags2riches.ph
