The Mercato bag, a stylized market basket designed by Amina Aranaz-Alunan was recently launched at Members Only in the Fort. What makes this bag significant is that they were made by the poor women of Payatas under the Rags2Riches social business enterprise. I’ve seen a similar bag design before by Rajo Laurel and I was certainly impressed with the way they have turned scraps and recycled materials into a thing of beauty.
Photo shows some of Manila’s most stylish women modelling the Mercato bag after an afternoon tea party: (from left) Amanda Griffin-Jacob, Juana Manahan-Yupangco, Hindy Weber-Tantoco, Loralee Baron-Soong, Kaye Termulo-Garcia, Issa Litton, Erica Paredes, and Audrey Tan-Zubiri.
I was all too happy to see the bag maven herself in the flesh, Amina Aranaz. Love the Valentino-style bag she brought to the party, which is one of her creations (unfortunately now out of stock). One of these days I’ll buy an Aranaz. So many wonderful designs to choose from, and it’s a proudly Filipino brand.
Another beautiful Aranaz bag for RIIR and the proud owner is Reese Fernandez, the founder and president of Rags2Riches. She is the 2010 Laureate of the prestigious Rolex Awards for Enterprise Young Laureates Program 🙂
Check out the Aranaz Mercato basket and other bags at Aranaz boutiques in Greenbelt 5 and Powerplant Mall, Firma, House of Laurel, Echostore Serendra, Hotel Intercontinental Makati City, Shang-ri La Boracay and the Rags2Riches showroom in Cubao Expo. Or call 666-4520
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