Candy wrapper handbags are increasingly popular–with their bright colors, high quality designs, and very appealing eco-friendly characteristics.
While some are made locally in the US, most come from overseas including parts of Mexico, the Philippines, Indonesia and elsewhere. The two I am most familiar with are Nahui Ollin and Ecoist. Both of these companies are fair trade and work closely with local indigenous populations to make hand woven, high quality designer bags. Each company fairly employs local workers, supporting them to weave while also providing greater access to education and health care. Ecoist even plants a tree for every bag purchase. All wrappers used are diverted from landfills and/or incinerators directly at factories, which makes them attractive environmentally but also from a consumer point of view since there will be no chocolate or cookie crumbs found in any of the bags.
Despite what some internet bloggers may suggest, these bags are not easy to make. They may be fun to make, but not super fast. The techniques used to weave these bags are similar to what many of us did growing up– making necklace chains and other adornments out of Juicy Fruit wrappers and other gum wrappers. However, while making gum chains is a piece of pie, as you will soon see, making entire designer purses out of candy wrappers is a much more challenging feat. This is why many interested parties rely on skilled artisans to do this intensive work. Triple bottom line companies seems to be the newest and hottest trend in retail: helping the environment, helping communities and artisans worldwide, while also being very stylish, modern.
Nahui Ollin bags for example, are woven inside and out and contain no other materials other than the buckles and handles (which are also recycled) aside from the candy wrappers. Even the smallest bags (coin purses) contain approximately 150 wrappers. Zippers and other attachments are all hand-sewn (not glued) adding more handi-work to each piece. Probably the easiest way to make a handle is to wrap two candy wrapper “threads” together and make a handle but this is also perhaps the least stylish way to finish the bag.
We’d like to share with you some resources we found on the web about how to make these purses out of candy wrappers so that those inspired can try it at home—or if you have more information to share to the discussion, please chime in!
Mylinda has kindly gone into great detail on her blog with instructions on how to make the bags - step by step (thank you Mylinda! Your bags are great!):
In addition, we can see a Nahui Ollin professional weaving in action through this short, light hearted video on You Tube:
Tell us about your experience in making candy wrapper bags.
Last Thursday night, British fashion icons, celebrities and pioneers of the eco-fashion movement gathered at the RE: Fashion Awards in London to celebrate innovators in this ever-growing industry. As Green Cotton reported, this event was the first of its kind: an awards show solely dedicated to celebrating the best in organic, sustainable, fair trade, ethical fashion. Participants included models and British “It-Girls” Daisy Lowe and Pixie Geldorf, as well as designers Vivienne Westwood and Preen.
Many beloved British designers and clothing companies were nominated for awards like RE: Designer of the Year. This honor went to From Somewhere, a sustainable fashion label that manufactures its runway-worthy designs from recycled fabrics and surplus textiles. Izzy Lane received both the RE: New Designer of the Year Award along with the Estethica Prize, while Adili was named the RE:Retailer of the Year. For a full list of winners, check out the official RE: Fashion website.
Events like this are integral in helping introduce eco-fashion into the mainstream; hopefully this is the first of many! Lucy Shea, director of Futerra Sustainability Communications, was quoted on the RE: Fashion site, saying, “Britain is leading the ethical make-over of the fashion industry… tonight’s winners are tomorrow’s household names.”
Let’s hope that holds true, and continue to support ethical fashion worldwide! What do you think of the British eco-fashion industry? How do you think it compares to that of the U.S.? Any favorite designers you’d like to share? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you.
Eco-fashion has been big in the U.K. for a while, and it’s about time it gets recognized. On November 13, British style icons will gather in London to celebrate fashion and eco-awareness at the RE: Fashion Awards. This highly anticipated event will be the first of its kind—an awards ceremony dedicated solely to ethical fashion.
The celebration is proof that mainstream fashion and the new wave of eco-fashion can go hand in hand, rather than run in opposition to one another. Model of the moment Daisy Lowe will work the runway in a customized dress by legendary London designer Vivienne Westwood. Other hot designers, including Jonathan Saunders and Preen, will be showcasing eco-chic looks, all in an effort to usher sustainable, fair trade and organic style into the mainstream.
Of course, the runway show is just part of the celebration; the rest of the night is dedicated to awarding the best and brightest ethical fashion talents in the British fashion industry. Award nominations include: RE: Designer of the Year, RE: Retailer of the Year, RE: Africa Award, RE: Cotton Award, RE: Environment Award, and more.
Nominees include People Tree (Designer of the Year, Consumer Awareness and People Award), also featured top in designer collection (photo), Izzy Lane (New Designer of the Year) and Adili (Retailer of the Year).
Got any favorite U.K. eco-fashion designers? Stay tuned to find out how they fare on ethical fashion’s big night after November 13th. Let’s hope the U.S. gets in on this trend and casts a spotlight on ethical fashion, too!
