R2R’s Viaje bags: Handwoven stories ready to travel the world

“Where are you from?” reads a postcard showing two travelers armed with a map and a pair of vibrant, geometrically patterned cross-body purses.  

For the Rags2Riches woman, the question can be answered with a show of bags. The stylish social enterprise has always placed its artisans at the center, with their latest collection for Spring/Summer 2015 featuring textiles from the DAWN community of women in Manila, the Mangyan community in Oriental Mindoro, and R2R’s very own urban artisans from all over the National Capital Region.

On the back of the postcard, the story continues: “We often travel in [search] of creating new stories. Yet, we must not forget to bring our own… Every bag is made with three different textile panels, carrying with it stories of our incredibly empowered artisans from three different communities… Your story is now woven with theirs.”

Celebrating the empowered woman

Emerging from very humble beginnings, Rags2Riches has grown from selling traditional basket weave mats and rugs into an internationally recognized, socially conscious fashion brand that has reached the likes of Anthropologie and Vogue—while staying firmly rooted in its proud Filipino heritage.

Last January, R2R president and co-founder Reese Fernandez-Ruiz was named among Forbes’ 30 Under 30 in Social Entrepreneurship, which she attributes to the products' “dignity, design, and depth of impact… just a fraction of the stories woven into each of our bags.”

Not only are these hand-crafted pieces products of good, honest labor but they are coveted fashion accessories as well. And why shouldn’t they be, with such richly versatile materials and attention to detail?

“V” is for versatility

The Viaje collection's five pieces are as flexible as your travel itinerary. A recent development in R2R designs, the many-bags-in-one feature was introduced in the brand's Fall/Holiday 2014 collection, Ampersand.

Similarly, Viaje's vibrant, versatile bags can go into over four modes and even split two ways to give you a handy wristlet purse and a large tote at the same time.

Not only does every piece have the functionality of at least two different bags, but every design comes in multiple colorways.

The Lia (P3,649) is a go-to carry-all fold-over tote with a zig-zag twist. In her daintier mode, she shows lengthier shoulder straps and a fun, wide, boxy shape. Perfect for the overpacker.

The Cecilia (P5,249) takes the cake price-wise. At first a short-handled handbag with patterned front pocket, this multi-faceted piece can change shape with the pull of a zipper, the snap of a button, and the click of a chain.

The Christine (P4,449) is classic and reliable, with just a bit of a wild side. Christine is the tote with a friend: on simpler days, you can leave the little pouch behind, but if you’re feeling adventurous,  pack light, dress bold, and put a chain strap on it!

The Mikka (P3,649) is for the unencumbered. Although small this is a crossbody bag that packs a lot of style. Also, the front pocket turns into a cute clutch with wristlet.

The Patricia (P4,189) is a bag with not two, but three faces that works very much like a self-initiated mood ring, er, bag. Also classifiable as either clutch or sling bag, because every adventurous girl needs to have that option.

Each bag is made up of three different textile panels: the signature R2R basket weave that has been perfected over the years; a hand-woven textured geometric textile made by the women of DAWN; and striped ramit woven by the Mangyan tribe from Oriental Mindoro.  

The bags are named after real-life R2R advocates: Lia Cruz, Ces Drilon, Christine Dychiaco, Mikka Padua, and Patty Laurel.

In your adventures this summer and the tales you weave, one of these bags will share your story, revealing a beauty that need not be spoken—only seen, felt, and perhaps also photographed. — BM, GMA News