MUNI PH Eco-Fashion Workshop: Creating an Eco-Conscious PH

LUMAGO DESIGNS

Next was Whitney Fleming, the organization’s founder. She introduced us the cool and trendy accessories which are literally made from scratch! The products of Lumago are designed and made by the mothers of a community living near the dump site at Dumaguete. Lumago’s top priority is “to create a livelihood project while the workers take care of their family”.

Whitney even shared us the story about how she buys the raw material in the local “ukay-ukay” and would make them beautiful accessories like bracelet and necklace. “I brought with me a pile of leather bags and clothes from ukay and I told them that it’s okay to cut it. At first, I made all the cuttings but then they get used to it and thought it was fun,” Whitney said.

This is me checking out the necklace that is made of satin fabric from ukay and was introduced with recyclables as a statement necklace.

Lumago’s products, which are also available at Muni PH’s online store, are currently made with five (5) recyclable materials: tin cans, bamboo, paper, leather bags and clothes from ukay-ukay — which are of course sanitized. Sticking to their aesthetic which is from ‘trash’ to ‘treasure’. Now, mothers at Dumaguete are helping the environment while earning for their childrens.

RAGS2RICHES

“It starts and ends with a purpose,” says Reese Fernandez – Ruiz, President and Founding Partner of Rags2Riches. They started the organization 5 years ago with just $200 as capital. They have been used to the resounding ‘No’ that corporations, designers and other personalities who they asked for help.

But, through the years they have been known and is recognized as one of the leading organization when we talk of sustainable fashion. Muni PH’s eco-fashion workshop participants were surely inspired with Reese’s talk, she even gave us pointers if we would like start our own eco-fashion brand in the future.

From the normal rags to classic and trendy bags and wallets.

Rags2Riches tapped the mothers of Payatas who are doing the normal rags before and was given workshops to use their talents in making the fashion staple products like bags and clutches. Not only that, the organization also tapped noted fashion personalities like Rajo Laurel, Oliver Tolentino and Amina Aranaz to collaborate with them. I personally liked one of their design and awaiting for it to be available in black!

MUNI POP-UP ONLINE SHOP

And just recently because of the positive response from the Pop-up shop Muni PH organized at Maginhawa. Jen Horn, founder of Muni PH, opened up an online store where partner brands can sell their products including Jacinto & Lirio, Lumago Designs and Rags2Riches.