Rising Tide Fair Trade2011 holiday lookbook

Dear Friends of RTFT:

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Virginia & NicoleFounders, RTFT

{ about us }

In January 2008, RTFT released its first limited edition collection of carryall bags. Like all of their bags, each is handcrafted. The Indian artisans—whom the founders located through the Fair Trade Federation—earn roughly 60 percent more than they would for comparable factory jobs and have access to insurance and business training. Since most of the artisans have the choice to work from home, they can tend to their children while contributing to the family income.

About Rising Tide Fair TradeRising Tide Fair Trade (RTFT) was founded in June of 2004 by Virginia Dooley and Nicole Jones, two friends united by an obsession with exotic textiles and a belief that fashion and sustainability should go hand-in-hand. Dooley and Jones met while pursuing their graduate degrees in London. Inspired by the prevalence of fair trade goods in the U.K. and the lack of such products in the U.S., the friends started RTFT to fill a hole they saw in the American market and to disseminate fair trade labor practices to mainstream shoppers.

Rising Tide Fair Trade Introduces its Second Collection of Fair Trade Bags

Brooklyn, NY (May 1, 2011) -- Today, Rising Tide Fair Trade (RTFT) became a multi-collection brand with the introduction of the first two styles in the all-new Zola & Zaria collection. The Zola & Zaria collection uses batiks, shwe-shwe prints, tye-dyes and wax prints sourced directly from markets around Sub-Saharan Africa and combines them with cruelty free leather finishes to create strong, globally influenced patterns and styles.

The first two styles in the Zola & Zaria collection include the Everyday Clutch and Shoulder Tote (details on the pages to follow). Known for their fair trade accessories, RTFT worked with artisans in India to create their newest collection. The Kantha Collection and Zola & Zaria Collection are available for purchase at www.rtfairtrade.com.

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Product samples and images available upon requestContact: info@rtfairtrade.com

The Zola & Zaria collection uses batiks, shwe-shwe prints, tye-dyes and wax prints sourced directly from markets around Sub-Saharan Africa and combines them with cruelty-free leather finishes to create strong, globally influenced

patterns and styles.

everyday clutch

The Everyday Clutch features a running stitch along the leather grip inspired by the brand’s first endeavor, the Kantha Collection. The images shown are just a few of the prints available in this style. All prints are available online.

• 8" h, 11" w• Solid brown cotton lining• 8" zipper closure with magnetic snap for added security• Cotton with dark brown leather trim• Retail price: $65

shoulder tote

The Shoulder Tote features soft braided leather straps, antique bronze buckle detail, and bronze studs. The images shown are just a few of the prints available in this style. All prints are available online.

• 15" h, 13" w, 4.5" deep with a 9.5" drop• Cotton print lining• Magnetic snap closure• Inner zip pocket and side compartments• Cotton with dark brown leather trim• Retail price: $165

weekender bag

Featured in Oprah Magazine, InStyle.com Gift Guide, and Daily Candy, our signature Weekender Bag is perfect for a short get-away. Pack all your essentials and escape for a few days. The perfect gift for for the jet setter who can't be held back - this bag will fit everything she needs for an impromptu weekend out of town.

• Brown cruelty-free suede or leather piping, straps and base. • Lined in assorted cotton fabrics. • Front zipper pocket and small interior zipper pocket. • Brass base feet on the base to protect the bottom of the bag.• Dimensions: 20”w x 14”h x 10”d. Strap length is 12” drop.

"Thank you so much for the bag you sent me. It has been very useful on my travels and a very beautiful one as well. I also did check out your website and read more about the Kantha bags and I do appreciated your efforts towards providing employment to rural families in Bengal." Much Love, Freida Pinto, Actor

“The Perfect Weekend Tote” – O, The Oprah Magazine

crossbody bag

Fashionable and functional, the Crossbody Bag can easily go from work to weekend. For a more structured look, the bag can be worn straight up by its leather hand straps; for a more casual vibe, it can be worn folded over with an adjustable and removable shoulder strap.

• Finished with rich, buttery, carob brown cruelty-free leather at the base, side panels and hand and shoulder strap.

• Brass button at the top with a full printed cotton lining featuring one zipper pocket in the interior.

• The front zipper pocket, which measures 8”x 7.5” across with an 8” zipper is perfect for storing your cell phone, iPod and keys.

• Dimensions: 12” x 14” folded and is 3.5” deep. When worn straight, the bag is 18.5” long. The handle has a 5.5” drop and the adjustable cross body strap is at it shortest 15.5” and at its longest, 26”.

“When I first saw Rising Tide Fair Trade bags I was struck by their intricate, one-of-a-kind, bohemian beauty. I was sold right away, but when I learned that the bags are made by a women's collective in India and that my purchase supports building

better lives for them and their children, I was completely inspired. This holiday season, I will buy everyone I know a bag. What could be better than to get a beautiful gift that is also giving back to others?”– Maria Bello, actor

hobo bag

A casual, roomy, carry-all shoulder bag for every adventure. This bag has been featured on Julia Roberts in the film Eat, Pray, Love and in US Weekly, People, and Marie Claire magazines.

• Dimensions: 26"w x 14"h x 9" round leather base, strap length is 9" drop

• Lined with assorted printed cotton fabrics, interior pockets, (one zipper pocket and another divided open pocket on the opposite side)

• Finished with a brown cruelty-free leather, straps and piping and brass hardware, plus a magnetic clasp closure in the center top of the bag.

"I love the hobo bag. It is so chic and comfortable to wear! And to know that it is made in love and peace is even better!"-Kelly Rutherford, actor

market + beach tote

To market, to market...or to lay on the beach. Rising Tide Fair Trade's Tote Bag is ideal for carrying everything you need for weekend days out and about. For your beach dweller gal pal who likes to live her life close to to the coast, the Market and Beach Tote will fit all of her daily essentials.

This bag has trim and lining made of a heavy weight, unbleached, cotton canvas in a natural oatmeal color, including an 8” drop canvas handle and two interior pockets to help keep valuables safely tucked away. Each tote is 100% hand-crafted with a colorful vintage Indian sari forming a central accent "band" around all sides of the bag. Canvas fabrication means the tote is resilient at the beach or when filled to the brim with groceries. The amazing durability of this new tote makes this our best offering to date for busy, multi-tasking moms. The RTFT Market and Beach Tote measures 12”H x 16”W x 6”D.

bengali bag

The Bengali Bag is a lightweight, go everywhere boho bag offered at an affordable pricepoint. It can be worn in three ways: As a shoulder bag, across the body, or as a backpack. Loose shape constructed of upcycled cotton kantha stitched saris, with a solid cotton contrast strap. The Bengali Bag measures 18”x 18” with an 18” drop on the shoulder strap and features a top zipper closure for added security.

coin purse

The beauty of kantha stitching and the feeling of fair trade in the palm of your hand. The Rising Tide Fair Trade Coin Purse is the perfect accessory for a quick trip out - cash, lip gloss, cell phone: ready, set, go. Dimensions: 4.5"w x 4.5"h x 1.5", black suede trim.

kantha quilt

Rounding out the Kantha Collection, RTFT presents Kantha Quilts for those with a like-minded love of globally inspired design and people and planet friendly production seeking to bring life and color to their home decor.

The Kantha Quilts feature a unique circular kantha stitch and are offered in one size: 162 x 220 cm (which may have slight variation due to the nature of these one of a kind pieces). The quilts are comprised of five layers of upcycled cotton saris resulting in a light weight coverlet. Each side of the quilt will vary with unique patterns and may be pieced together.

www.rtfairtrade.com