Being resourceful is definitely a virtue these days, and sharing your craftiness with others is perhaps the best way to sprinkle the seeds of good design. But an eco chic accessory that is crafted from 100% recycled materials while also promoting fair trade employment? Well, this is a brilliant scenario for advancing sustainable style while also reducing needless waste and litter.
We have been big fans of Escama recycled aluminum pulltab handbags and totes ever since we spied them on some of the savviest eco babes in town. We are excited to announce that our new online Inhabitat Shop will feature a hand-picked assortment of supercute Escama bags as a means to aid our gift-giving readers and the Brazilian women who handcraft these beautifully original designs.
There are a variety of cool recycled pull-tab accessory projects circulating the web these days, but Escama purses are unique in their impeccably crocheted fabrication and slinky, chic feel. The word “Escama” means fish scales in Portuguese, and these artfully designed soft chain-mail purses are as eye-catching as they are durable. The recycled aluminum pull-tabs from soda cans are individually crocheted and stitched by local artists who make the bags in two craft cooperatives in ’satellite cities’ of Brasília, Brazil. The cooperatives offer women a means to earn money through handicrafts and business training. Prices of goods are set by the artisan cooperatives and trained artists are paid competitively for their one-of-a-kind craftwork.
There were originally only 12 artisans producing bags for Escama in 2004, and currently there are over 100. Escama abides by fair trade principles as a member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) and offers a fair living wage for their products. In addition, over the past four years they have assisted the artist groups to establish bank accounts and have generously donated computers, furniture, educational training and a percentage of sales.
Each Escama bag is handcrafted by an individual artist and comes with a personal note from the woman who made it, connecting consumer and producer through a shared exchange. We could think of no better way to highlight the best of sustainable style than by featuring these exquisitely and ethically produced accessories for fashion forward women in all hemispheres.
What’s better than a beautiful chic handbag made entirely from recycled materials? How about one that is not only eco-friendly, recycled, and supercute –
Today we continue our Green Gift Guide with clever suggestions for the woman in your life: green versions of a girl’s favorite gifts including chocolate,
For the ladies in your life, give the gift of eco-responsibility – wrapped up in some very fashionable apparel, jewelry, and other girly gifts.
LINDA LOUDERMILK
2 Responses to “ESCAMA STUDIO: Recycled Aluminum Pulltab Handbags”
Aren’t these bags amazing? Using recycled pop tabs is so innovative– who knew something that would otherwise be garbage could make such a chic purse? And what a conversation piece! It’s no wonder these bags garner so many compliments. Kudos to Escama for empowering Brazilian women and making a real difference in the fashion world and beyond. We at Jute and Jackfruit love everything about Escama!
Aren’t these bags amazing? Using recycled pop tabs is so innovative– who knew something that would otherwise be garbage could make such a chic purse? And what a conversation piece! It’s no wonder these bags garner so many compliments. Kudos to Escama for empowering Brazilian women and making a real difference in the fashion world and beyond. We at Jute and Jackfruit love everything about Escama!
I purchased your clutch bag ,and i love it. I would like to know where to buy them, what stores carry them.