The Gifts and Graces Retazo Collection

is a collection of Art Purses designed from upcycled pieces of fabric sewn together by disadvantaged sewers in Metro Manila to make

one-of-a-kind, environment-friendly, designer bags.

It started with a balikbayan box of premium scrap textile generously donated from

abroad.

From these textiles, combined with indigenous fabric like T'nalak,

Gifts and Graces Designer Marge Obligacion designed quilted patchwork purses, full panel purses, and structured drum-style

bags. Smaller pieces were made into pouches and wristlets.

This is the story of the premium Retazo Collection and the people behind it.

This is Nanay Linda Casimiro from Bgy. 844 Pandacan, Manila walking on Obeses Street with Gifts and Graces' Jeremy Callegher and Ate Liezel Quismorio, also from Bgy. 844.

Nanay Linda uses her technical skill and her eye for design to execute the prototype for Gifts and Graces' patchwork purse.

Through her sewing, Nanay Linda was able to send her five children to school. She now supports her grandchild.

On the other side of the metro is Bgy. P. Cruz, Barangka, situated on the riverbanks on the border of the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong, where we find the Pamana Pag-Asa Cooperative.

Pamana Pag-Asa Cooperative is a group of women sewers headed by Nanay Edith Arimado, seen here cutting the retaso, or scrap cloth.

This Cooperative also runs a day care center.

The women of Pamana work hand in hand to benefit themselves, their families, and their community.

The gains made by Pamana provided its members with an alternative to selling used clothes as a primary means of livelihood.

From premium scrap fabric . . .

. . . Transformed by community-based women sewers who constantly seek to improve their craft . . .

. . . And back to the Gifts and Graces Design and Marketing team for final quality control, packaging, and distribution . . .

. . . Come the Retazo Collection purses made with love especially for the woman with

compassion and discriminating taste.

Like these pieces of patchwork, it has taken a global community of donors, producers, and volunteers who have partnered with Gifts and Graces to produce these special, one-of-a-kind bags.

This premium collection provides the women sewers with regular orders. With these orders they are given more than a thread of hope, or pag-asa in Filipino,

that they will be able to provide themselves and their families with better lives and a better future.

The Retazo Collection purses and pouches are now available at the following locations:Wellworth Department Store, Fairview Terraces, Quezon City

Robinson's Department Store Ermita, ManilaRobinson's Department Store Galleria, Oritgas Ave., Quezon City

Ayala Museum Shop, Ayala Museum, Makati CityGifts and Graces office Unit 114 Mile Long Building Amorsolo Street Makati City

Gifts and Graces is a not-for-profit fair trade certified social enterprise that empowers disadvantaged craftsmen, artisans, and micro-entrepreneurs through product development, market access, and

capacity building. We believe that fair trade and manufacturing are scalable solutions to fighting poverty.

To learn more about the work that we do, our Retazo Collection, and our other great products, do email us, visit us, or drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks to all those who helped make this photo essay possible.

Special thanks goes to George Moya who brought this photo essay to life. George generously shared his ideas to help us come up with the concept of a photo essay and a story arc, and he shared his time and talent to take these beautiful photos. Through his work, we were better able to share the story of the

people behind our best selling Retazo Collection.

To Nanays Linda Casimiro, Liezel Quismorio, Edith Arimado and the members of the Pamana Pag-Asa Cooperative thanks for agreeing to be part of this shoot and for accomodating George on several visits.

And to Jill Loquellano for gamely agreeing to be our model for this photo shoot. Thanks for being the perfect match for the art purses.

Unit 114 Mile Long Building Amorsolo St. Makati City+632 7592525

info@giftsandgraces.comwww.giftsandgraces.com

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