Eco- Friendly Handbags Support Cambodia Charity

As you know, Giving Back is part of our mission statement. A portion of sales goes to support five different countries. Today we featuring Cambodia and sharing the story of how we have chosen to give back to this country and why.

A portion of our sales from our Cambodia collection goes to support a Cambodian charity that supports women and children who are victims of human trafficking and sex slavery. Most of you are probably aware that human trafficking is a global problem that is embedded in a web of poverty, political transition, inadequate female education and economic opportunity and the low value placed on women and children. The International Organization for Migration estimates as many as 4 million people are trafficked each year, a quarter of which are children. Trafficking is a $10 billion dollar a year business. In Asia, women and children are trafficked into prostitution and forced labor within their own countries as well as overseas.

Our eco fashion bags and accessories are handmade by Smateria in Phnom Phem, Cambodia. All of Smateria's products are handmade by Cambodian craftsman and women employed in line with fair trade principles. The company currently employs 50 permanent staff and 15 outsourced families.

Buy locally and support globally by purchasing one of our sustainable bags and fair trade totes using recycled mosquito netting from Cambodia partners Smateria.

New Spring Line a Huge Hit at Sales Events

We are excited that our new spring line in our Cambodia Collection has been a huge success at sales events this past month - They have been our best selling items!

Check out these vibrant new colors:





If you missed our Earth Day post announcing the new Cambodia handbags and accessories, please be sure to go back and read it for complete details.

It has been an extremely busy month, but a good busy and lots of fun meeting old and new friends at each of our events.

Newly Designed Cambodia Line in Time for Earth Day!

Just in time for Earth Day, we are excited to have expanded our Cambodia Collection. The collection, made from repurposed mosquito netting by women in Cambodia, consists of a uni-sex messenger bag with inside divider for your computer; a shoulder bag w/ inside pockets; a key ring with cell phone holder (pictured above) and coin purse perfect to attach to the inside of the messenger bag (pictured below). The key ring and coin purse will feature a five petal flower similar to five’s logo flower.

The new line made by a fair trade co-op in Cambodia, is made from recycled plastic mosquito netting, carefully washed and cleaned, originally used to protect livestock, safety netting, and brick layers used it as a sand sieve. The messenger bag has an inside divider that will make it a great eco-friendly computer/work bag for professionals and students or a perfect diaper bag for mothers. Each of these accessories has a zipper closure, whereas the messenger bag has a snap closure. These products are available in new spring colors: grey, copper, blue, yellow, green and black for all styles. Prices will range from $15.00 up to $75. Perfect for an Earth Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or graduation gift!