Mestiza: Repurposed Fabrics' Bags from Argentina
by Paula Alvarado, Buenos Aires on 01.29.08
Mestiza is a small brand founded by textile artist Rosa Arena, graphic designer Irene Guntsche and entrepreneur Maria Sarobe, whose main product is a line of bags from repurposed lycra remaining from a tights factory.
Each bag is hand woven with a technique similar to loom and then complimentary parts such as clasps or handles are added, but most of the pieces are constituted by lycra remains. The model from the picture has different uses by changing the length of the strap. Prices start at 60 Argentine pesos, which is about 20 US dollars.
More info and pictures in the extended!
Rosa Arena, who has a background working with industrial remains in her art, says: "I got involved in eco-design because it scared me to see the amount of materials we throw away, how little eco conscience we have, and how the over-consuming trend leads to disaster."
After working for three years in the design department of a tights company, Arena had witnessed how many lycra remains were thrown away and along with Guntsche and Sarobe came up with the first bags during the last Argentine summer (January-February 2007).
They started selling in small fairs and then the first big request came: well known Argentine fashion label Las Pepas asked for a set of bags for their collection. In order to produce those, Mestiza turned to a group of women in need, which added to the responsibility of their project in the social field.
For future collections, the brand will incorporate re-purposed leather and is aiming to expand its territory of action. Its founders have already sold samples to foreign retailers and are in talks to start selling in the United States and Europe. If you're interested, see more at their website or contact them via mestiza_eco [at] yahoo [dot] com [dot] ar. ::Mestiza
Detail of the woven lycra.
Another view of the bag in use.
Different models of 'Mestiza' bags.
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
- Sustainable Design Festival in Buenos Aires this Weekend
- Fashion Foraging: Turn Umbrellas Into Eco-Chic Apparel
- Recycled Cardboard Accessories by Diseno Cartonero
- Techy Jewlery from Repurposed Computer Gear
Those bags are not knitted. They are woven. (Knitting never uses a loom.)
Very neat-looking bags, though the textile geek in me must point out they are not knitted, but woven. Being Lycra, they should be pleasantly stretchy and wear well.
These are WOVEN, not knitted. 1. You can't knit on a loom 2. This is the exact same method thousands of us used to make silly potholders with a "looper loom" when we were young. 3. One looks at the fabric (crisscrossing at right angles) shows its woven. Before you make such mistakes (Knitting is NOT weaving and vice versa) find someone who knows something about textiles please.
RM Koske, Jo Paoletti:
Thanks for correcting my imperfect English! I've changed the word.
PS (commenter)
Your comment is a little rude, I don't think confusing a word (specially when it's not your native language) translates into not knowing anything about textiles. Thanks for commenting anyway!
Paula, I didn't say you personally didn't know anything about textiles. "You" in my comment meant Treehugger writers in general. I just pointed out that if someone writes about textiles they should get someone who knows the terminology to check things before they publish if they aren't sure. Especially if English is not your first language this seems a reasonable thing to do. As you can see, I wasn't the only person to point the mistake out and native English speakers confuse the two all the time, so often people with textile knowledge are needed to get the right terminology. I'm not being rude but I like Treeehugger and want it to get things right. (Also note that at the time I submitted my comment, no others were showing.)
PS:
It's all good, will check twice next time. cheers!