Newel S/S 2013 by Rags2Riches Inc

RIIR is creating a stylish social statement. Through bringing together the best design minds of the world and artisanal hands from all over the 7,107 islands of the Philippines, RIIR creates fashion and home accessories that integrate conscientious design, artisanal skills, and inspiring stories. The RIIR partner artisans come from all over the Philippines from the densely populated communities of the capital to the mountain range tribes of the South. RIIR is a life and livelihood partner for these artisans as they strive to weave better futures for their families and communities. RIIR believes that each person who touches the product, from raw materials to finished masterpieces, must be dignified, empowered, and enriched. RIIR pieces fuse timeless silhouettes with a selection of traditional and contemporary artisanal techniques. Each piece illustrates the tactile richness of different handmade textures as well as the artful interpretations of the lives and values of the artisans. Our products are created for those who seek great design and are equally captivated and inspired by the stories they tell.

NEWEL Spring/Summer Collection 2013

The Newel (n. weave in T’boli) collection fuses modern urban artisanal weaving with an indigenous Filipino heritage textile called the T’nalak. The T’nalak is an intricately hand-woven and hand-dyed abaca fabric that originates from the indigenous T’boli tribe from the mountain ranges of southern Philippines. Weaving the T’nalak is a sacred ritual and the patterns that appear on each piece are inspired by dreams, beliefs, myths, and religions. The T’nalak holds a special and prominent place in the T’boli culture and serves as a benediction during birth rites, marriage, and death. It is also referred to as the “woven dreams.” In a culture that didn’t have a form of writing, the T’nalak served as both literature and art. To the T’boli women, the T’nalak are their woven dreams.

Kenmu Clutch [T’boli] N. Fist.

Materials: Upcycled Cloth, Hand-woven Abaca T’nalak Fabric, Suede Dimensions: 10.5” x 6.75” x 2.0”

Kulon Clutch [T’boli] N. Rain.

Materials: Upcycled Cloth, Hand-woven Abaca T’nalak Fabric, Suede Dimensions: 13.5” x 8.5” x 1.25”

Ofi Clutch [T’boli] N. Fire.

Materials: Upcycled Cloth, Hand-woven Abaca T’nalak Fabric, Suede Dimensions: 9.0” x 7.0” x 2.0”, 23.75” strap drop

Hedem Hobo Bag [T’boli] N. Thinking Woman.

Materials: Upcycled Cloth, Hand-woven Abaca T’nalak Fabric, Genuine Leather, Hand-woven Pandan leaf Dimensions: 11.5” x 12.0” x 7.5”, 11.0” strap drop

Benwu Tote [T’boli] N. World

Materials: Upcycled Cloth, Hand-woven Abaca T’nalak Fabric, Suede, Genuine Leather Dimensions: 22.5” x 12.5” x 7.75”, 10.0” strap drop

Kena Tote Bag [T’boli] N. Dream.

Materials: Upcycled Cloth, Hand-woven Abaca T’nalak Fabric, Suede, Genuine Leather Dimensions: 16.5” x 11.5” x 6.0”, 8.0” strap drop

Bianca Gonzalez is a sought-after TV personality, endorser, model, host, writer, editor, and blogger. Known also for her humanitarian advocacies, she founded the “Help Kids Learn Project,” is a UNICEF Philippines Champion for Children, and an active member of the World Economic Forum Global Shapers Community. These achievements inspired Rags2Riches to choose her as our first R2R Style Advocate for the Newel Spring/Summer Collection 2013. “It helps so many people, so many women. It’s a brilliant idea that I hope others will replicate this model of making something more out of a community’s livelihood, making it more relevant, more fashionable.” -Bianca Gonzalez on R2R collaboration

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. The eco-ethical business model originated in 2007 in Payatas, one of the Philippines’ largest dumpsites and home to half a million people. An informal cottage industry of rug-weavers grew from the many women who developed a means to earn a living by scavenging the waste to find and recycle scrap pieces of fabric so that they could participate in handicraft production like rug and rag weaving, while taking care of their children at home. Over time, the industry became exploited by a series of middlemen who controlled both the supply of scrap fabric and the women’s access to the market, which created an unfair value chain for the women who at the end of the day earned only

pennies per finished product or less than .20 cents USD per day. Rags2Riches Inc. was created to provide these artisans with fair access to the market and the formal economy, as well as with additional skills-based, financial and health training so that they can maximize their career potential and take steps towards long-term financial and personal well-being. R2R integrated a design solution by partnering with well-known infuential fashion designers like Rajo Laurel, Amina Aranaz-Alunan, Olivia d’Aboville and Oliver Tolentino turning scrap materials into fashion handbags. After four years, R2R has already trained 800 artisans across 21 communities in the Metro Manila area and continues to expand its social impact and eco-ethical footprint in the country. The Rolex Foundation in Switzerland selected Rags2Riches Inc. founder-partner and current CEO, Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, as one of the five inaugural Rolex Young Laureates. In 2010, Rags2Riches linked up with its current investor-partner, Liechtenstein Global Trust Venture Philanthropy (LGT VP).

STOCKISTS ONLINE: www.rags2riches.ph www.ava.ph www.zalora.ph https://muniph.lish.com RAGS2RICHES SHOWROOM #138 G. Reyes St. Brgy. Balong Bato, San Juan Tel. (632) 725-1073 Website: www.rags2riches.ph E-mail: info@rags2riches.ph Facebook: Rags2Riches, Inc. Twitter: @R2REcostyle FOR DOMESTIC PURCHASE ORDERS: domestic.sales@rags2riches.ph FOR INTERNATIONAL PURCHASE ORDERS: international.sales@rags2riches.ph STORES: ARANAZ Powerplant Mall Rockwell Center, Makati City, Philippines Tel. (632) 890 7559 ARANAZ Greenbelt 5 Legaspi Street, Makati City, Philippines Tel. (632) 757 0301

Ayala Museum Makati Avenue Corner Dela Rosa St., Greenbelt Park, 1200 Makati Tel. (632) 7577117 BEACHMUMS Maribago Road, 6015 Mactan, Cebu, Philippines Tel. (032) 266 5161 The Boutique HallONE: Design for Exports ITC Complex, Roxas Blvd. cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Ave., Pasay City, Manila 1300 Philippines Tel. (632) 831 2201 loc. 200 / 252 The Ramp, Crossings Department Store 2/F Glorietta 3 Ayala Center, Makati City Tel. (632) 819-1466 The Ramp, Crossings Department Store Shangri-la Plaza Mall EDSA cor. Shaw Blvd., Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila Tel. (632) 635-4410 FIRMA Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center Makati City, Philippines Tel. (632) 757 4009

GIVE STORE 1st Level, Glorietta 1 4th Level, Trinoma HOUSE OF LAUREL 6013 Villena St. corner Manalac St. Poblacion, Makati City, Philippines Tel. (632) 895 5688 Ext. 2 EDSA SHANGRI-LA HOTEL / LOBBY SHOP 1 Garden Way Ortigas Centre, Mandaluyong City, Philippines Tel. (632) 633 8888 MACTAN SHANGRI-LA HOTEL / HOTEL LOBBY SHOP Punta Engano Road Mactan, Lapu-lapu City Cebu, Philippines Tel. (63 32) 231 0288. MAKATI SHANGRI-LA HOTEL / TRAVEL BOX Ayala Avenue corner Makati Ave. Makati City, Philippines Tel. (632) 813 8888 SHANGRI-LA BORACAY RESORT & SPA / REGALO BOUTIQUE Barangay Yapak, Boracay Island Malay, Aklan, Philippines Tel. (6336) 288 4988

138 G. Reyes Street, Barangay Balong Bato, San Juan, Philippines 1500 TeleFax (+632) 725 1073 email: customerservice@rags2riches.ph general information:

international inquiries and sales:

info@rags2riches.ph international.sales@rags2riches.ph

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Printed on 100% Recycled Stock