RIIR by ARANAZ Collection

Rags2Riches is a social business enterprise creating social statement in style. Rags2Riches empowers women communities, and upcycles scrap cloth discarded by garment factories around the Philippines.

RIIR Limited Edition

RIIR Designer Line is Rags2Riches’ unique statement of Style and Substance.

To celebrate the unveiling of every season, RIIR Designer Line creates a Limited Edition Collection; an exclusive, one-of-a-kind, numbered collection. The Masterpieces of RIIR Designer Line are designed by premiere designers, carefully handcrafted by empowered women artisans from communities, and made from selected quality scrap materials.

RIIR Limited presents this season’s exclusive pieces, basking in the Spring-Summer sun. Premier bag designer, Amina Aranaz works her magic and applies her design philosophy of “de-ethnicizing the ethnic” in creating this exclusive collection. Fusing scrap materials with her signature mother of pearl components and handcrafted techniques, ultra stylish yet sustainable pieces have emerged.

Radiant and Ravishing

(The Rs of RIIR Spring-Summer)

Summer is the season of blooms, beaches, and sunshine!

It is indeed a bright season to shine all the more. The best way to shine is to let the world shine with you too! Yes, you can be a beach princess, sun-kissed damsel, and Earth goddess, all at the same time. Look your best, do your best, and save pieces of the world!

Ride the Waves in Sustainable Style!

Ready to hit the beach this Summer? Of course, you have to ramp by the shore with all your beach necessities all packed in a huge and stylish beach tote.

RIIR by Rajo Laurel features the Jonie Beach Tote. You could stuff your organic cotton beach mat, all-natural sun block,

hair pieces, extra sundress, sunglasses, and a good book to read, in this spacious and sturdy tote. As you gaze at the endless sea, it is also good to remember that you are helping preserve this amazing view complete with all the marine resources, because you are wearing the Eco-Ethical, Jonie Beach Tote. There is no better way to listen to the waves, dig your toes in the soft sand, and feel the serenity of nature, than to be truly one with nature.

You could also keep a very excited watchful eye on our upcoming Spring-Summer Collection RIIR Aranaz. These limited-edition bags are designed by premiere bag designer, Amina Aranaz. RIIR and Aranaz merges natural and upcycled materials into enchanting masterpieces, reminiscent of the Spring-Summer soul of bright lights and cool sunsets by the beach.

Feel like an Artsy, Eco-Ethical Chic

If you can’t stay in the beach forever (or at least for the whole vacation), no need to pale-away in seclusion. Summer is also the season of bright and blooming inspiration from nature! So get your creative juices flowing!

The Maan and Memey Clutches are perfect canvasses for your especially-you-design. Hunt for your old brooches, ribbons, chains, scraps of cloth, loose beads, and absolutely anything you could find. Twist these pieces and place them on your summer Maan and Memey clutches, to complete your summer-deity look.

As you Change your Wardrobe, Change your Style

You may already be getting rid of some old Fall-Winter clothes. The plums that used to be so sexy are now on sale and are considerably more unattractive than they once were. That’s fashion for you: the epitome of fickle. But instead of feeling guilty for shunning these pieces far down your closet, try digging for your older clothes and accessories. Aside from the fact that these styles and colors will definitely surface out in the future, you could revolutionize these pieces into uniquely-you pieces. Develop your own style not according to the fashion trends, but according to your own

creativity and advocacy.

You could paint (using natural dyes) a powerful statement on one of your old big shirts and you get an instant, funky, and unique shirt dress! You could attach some beads and shiny trinkets on your old shoes to resurrect them into your own version of the dazzling ruby slippers. Or, you could unearth and try to save some seemingly “unsave-able” old clothes, by giving them to Eco-Ethical Corporations such as Rags2Riches, who might be able to redeem and resurrect your rubbish..

There are indeed so many ways to be glamorous and dazzling this Summer, while brilliantly shining some hope on the

Earth as well.

If you want to know more about Eco-Ethical Style and how YOU could be an Eco-Ethical Chic, email reesefernandez@yahoo.com, drop me a note to share your simple ways of how anyone could be Eco-Ethically Elegant. By emailing your name and contact details, you will also have the opportunity to join some other Eco-Ethical Advocates in mini-events and workshops that will make you even more Eco-Ethical Savvy.

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RAGS2RICHES emerged as the OVER-ALL CHAMPION during the Business in Development (BiD) Global Challenge in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

RAGS2RICHES emerged as the OVER-ALL CHAMPION during the Business in Development (BiD) Global Challenge in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Rev. Xavier Alpasa, SJ, President of Rags2Riches, receives the award as 1st Place for the BiD Global Challenge.

The BiD Challenge is a global business plan competition that challenges entrepreneurs to develop and execute innovative business plans with growth potential. It is organized by the BiD Network Foundation. This is done to stimulate local economic growth and generate jobs and income in emerging markets. The challenge started with thousands of entries from all over the world. The top 24 finalists were then invited to The Netherlands for the BiD Global Challenge to present their business plans, and the top 8 were selected. Last 27 January 2009, the winners were announced during the BiD Challenge Award Event and Marketplace 2008, held in Rotterdam. One of RP’s representatives, Rags2Riches was proclaimed the over-all champion.

Rev. Xavier “Javy” Alpasa, SJ, President of Rags2Riches, represented the company and took pride in showcasing the potentials of the R2R business plan. The process of selection has been really tough. To determine the top 8, the 24 finalists went through a 30-second elevator pitch, 5-minute elevator pitch before a panel, and 15-minute open forum. Then the top 8 entries made a 3-minute elevator pitch and went through a 7-minute open forum for the 8-panel screening. And eventually, the best entry was announced – the Rags2Riches, Inc.

Opportunities and Partnerships

During the event, Rags2Riches exhibited the RIIR Bags on The Marketplace. With an estimate of 400 guests, the bags gained overwhelming attention, and some guests even proclaimed the bags as their personal favorite among other exhibits. “Oh I heard so much about Rags2Riches,” remarked by a guest. Another also commented, “That’s the fantastic project from The Philippines!”

R2R’s president, Rev. Javy, had several meetings with different investors, organizations, and executives who expressed their interests in partnering with the company. Some of the organizations are listed below:

• ICCO, an organization that funds fair trade organizations in different parts of the world and also a partner of the BiD Network Foundation, is willing to assist in building cooperatives for the communities, which is in line with the goals of the company – from expansion leading to transition (cooperative-building).

• Share People, a volunteer organization, is willing to send international experts to partner with R2R in improving the production system and international marketing.

• Van Verre, a company owned by a millionaire business couple who are former executives and now dealing to 300 outlets worldwide, also expressed interest in dealing with Rags2Riches for the distribution of RIIR bags.

Indeed, there are several interested potential partners who want to help Rags2Riches build a global brand that promotes fair trade and empowerment of people from marginalized communities.

Announcement of Winners

The competition was really tough. The finalists presented unique and innovative business plans. One entry titled “Coffeethanol” presented the idea of converting coffee wastes to produce ethanol. Another presented a business plan about organic and hypoallergenic baby food products. Majority of the finalists came from Africa and Latin America.

During the announcement of winners, Rev. Javy faithfully prayed the Hail Mary. According to him, while praying he kept on thinking about the Rags2Riches community, especially the nanays, connecting forces with all of R2R’s supporters and friends through prayer. A heavenly feeling overwhelmed Rev. Javy when Rags2Riches was announced the victor, grabbing the price of €20,000. Filled with tears, he had his speech referring to the “nanays of Payatas, thanking everyone not just for the money but for the recognition of their real dignity.” A standing ovation accompanied the warm congratulations from the guests, some even in tears.

Blessings.

For the next few days of stay in The Netherlands, Rev. Javy will be meeting with Dutch Design in Development (DDiD), a counterpart of Fashion Design Council of the Philippines, to discuss partnership potentials, even to the extent of sending a Dutch fashion designer to the Philippines. All of these opportunities make the trip more than worthwhile.

It has always been the desire of the R2R to be a positive influence to the country and to the world. In this occasion, we salute the empowered women of Payatas, the passionate hearts of the R2R Team, R2R designers and experts, and most of all, we celebrate God’s amazing ways of connecting people, regardless of differences, in building one community, one goal. Indeed, social cause and fashion can work hand-in-hand.

For Rags2Riches Team,

For Payatas,

For The Philippines,

All for the greater glory of God.

You may also check these links:

http://www.bidnetwork.org/page/91547/en

http://www.bidnetwork.org/page/116339/en

Eco-Ethical Tips to a Fabulous YOU and a Fantastic World

Eco-Ethical Tips to a Fabulous YOU and a Fantastic World

By Reese Fernandez

Tip 1: Resurrect your old, soiled, or unusable clothes (paint, cut, etc)\

There is so much you can do with some old brushes, dyes, and acrylic mixed with safe fabric medium. I had this pair of pants ever since I was in first year college. When I joined Gawad Kalinga, it became my regular build pants. Soon, it got smudged with bright green paint just like one of the GK houses we were painting. As a scholar who was always broke and on the lookout for bargains, I just had to find a way to still be able to use these pants in school. So one Monday morning, a few minutes before my 7:30am class, I decided to go a little crazy, take out my brush, mix some paints, and paint some dainty flowers on my soiled pants. It does not take a great artist to create something like this. You will be surprised at the patterns you can come up with putting together shapes and strokes. Resurrecting your old things is fun, creative, and empowering. It also helps to know that you are could save some money, recycle, and look great at the same time.

Tip 2: Go Vintage, Go UK

The RIIR Eco-Sexy Night to Remember was a night of artists, designers, and high society people. It was so high end that I decided to wear something unique and personalized. So I wore a P50 (less than a dollar) dress that I found in a quaint vintage (otherwise known as ukay-ukay) shop in Anonas. Of course, I also brought my RIIR Memey Clutch which I personalized with some scrap lace I found in a small fabric store in Cubao. Want to get that unique, high-fashion, high-conscience look? You could visit the 4-story ukay-ukay building near the Anonas LRT station. Cubao is also sprawling with these stores. Of course, the best finds could still be found in Baguio or Tagaytay. If you want to have many options, you could always keep track of the “new arrival” dates in each store. If you want to be really challenged though, try visiting during the dates before the “new arrival” comes. You will get the best bargains during these dates. If you are worried with hygiene, try soaking your clothes in warm water before washing. No worries though, regular detergent would be enough to exorcise whatever elements you want to take out .

Tip 3: Shop with style and meaning

Shop with style and meaning this Christmas and all-year-round for 2009 at the ECHOSTORE in Serendra. ECHOSTORE is the first one-stop-shop for sustainable living in the country! Echostore carries your home needs, beauty products, baby products, and fashion accessories. My personal favorites are their Ilog ni Maria products and the Lifesaver (it is some kind of ointment that just boosts your mood and make you feel all light and cheery… it is natural and legal too). Aside from being a store that promotes sustainable lifestyle through the products, it is also an all-Filipino, all-Ethical Coffee shop that is a perfect hub and meeting place for people who want to support and promote sustainable living.

Picture source: http://www.shopcrazy.com.ph/2008/09/echo-store/

RIIR Products for 2009

What could have been more special in giving RIIR Bags to your loved ones this coming Valentine’s Day…

Check our RIIR most stylish, eco-sexy and ethical products:

RIIR

Maan Envelope Clutch (Plain) (8.5×11) P335 and Maan Envelop Clutch (with detail) (7.5 x 12.5) P370– an elegant envelope clutch that carries your precious little necessities while making you look and feel Eco-Chic during one of your night outs. It even doubles up as a sturdy and stylish laptop sleeve for your small and sleek gadget. (EEEPC, HP Mini Note, and the like)

Jane Purse (7 x 3.5) P140–The Jane Purse is not as simple as its name. It is social statement in a small but powerful package. It carries the most important pieces in your fast-paced outdoor life, like your cards, keys, and coins.

Memey Vanity Kit (Small) (6 x 10) P229--explore the designer in you as you touch the unique weaving of this mini clutch. You could use it as a night purse and add some little pieces, like a funky brooch or pretty ribbons. And if you are too tired to transfer its contents to your day bag the next day, not to worry, the Memey Vanity Kit is small enough to fit right inside your bag. Night purse and bag organizer in one.

Memey Vanity Kit (Large) (9 x 12) P299–this is a bag of possibilities. Like its smaller counterpart, it could either be a day bag organizer or a night clutch with some sparkling personal accessories. The surprise of the Memey Vanity Kit does not end there. It also serves you well as a nice laptop sleeve for your small and sleek gadgets (HP Mini Note, EEEPC, etc.).

Mark Wine Holder (12 x 16.5 CyL) P570--spice up your celebration with the Mark Wine Holder. It is an elegant holder for exquisite gifts especially to the outstanding men in your life.

Jonie Bag (19 x 12 x 6) P1,700--Shopping, Picnic, Going to the Bookstore? Or maybe you are just someone who loves to bring along anything and everything you might need while you are outside your home. The Jonie Bag is your Eco-companion as you try to reduce the use of plastic and the number of bags you need to bring.

Timi Purse (4.5 x 3.5) P100–Style, Designer Name, Social Cause, and a very reasonable price, are the main features of the Timi Purse. The Timi Purse is practical enough to fit your calling cards, keys, coins, and even your cellphone. But of course, it is essence with style and style is of the essence. The intricate woven purse closes with a stylish knot that is elegant and chic.

(photo to be displayed very soon…)

Available at:

House of Laurel – 6013 Villena St., cor. Manalac St., Poblacion, Makati City

Firma – Greenbelt 3, Ayala Center, Makati City

Echostore – Serendra, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

R2R Showroom – Unit 3b, Cubao Expo, Araneta Center, Cubao, Q.C

email us at: info@rags2riches.ph

www.rags2riches.ph

Upcoming Event: Green with Envi

RIIR: Creating Social Statement in Style 2009

January Issue: Vol.2, No.1

RIIR, UP JMA Invite You to be Green with Envi

by Laurence Go

RIIR supports "Green with Envi", organized by UP JMA Organization

January marks the start of yet another year for new endeavors and fresh opportunities. Ensuing the partnership of UP Junior Marketing Association (UP JMA), Rags2Riches and other organizations is a full-blown publicity event entitled Green with Envi, an awareness-raising campaign for going green and supporting the eco-lifestyle.

The campaign commenced with a print advertisement competition for Haribon Foundation to further its Road to 2020 project. Moreover, a gallery exhibit featuring the works of the contestants as well as the profiles of the environmental organizations will be held at the Archaeology section of the Powerplant Mall. Part of the campaign is an art seminar on doodling and animation to be conducted by WeeWillDoodle and Tuldok which will also tackle the environmental aspect of the arts.

Another highlight of the campaign is the bag embellishment competition targeted for the youth, making their own statement on the bags by adding their style and identity to its simplicity. The bag designs will be judged and the top 10 entries will get a chance to implement their style on the bags. Finally, the culminating night at the Ascend Lounge will formally close the 2-week long activities, ending on January 31. As a culmination to the group’s efforts of making known its cause, everyone is invited to this free-for-all party—a night that will feature a fashion show showcasing the top 10 entries of the bag embellishment competition to be judged by various celebrity judges. The program will end with the awarding of the winners for the print advertisement and bag embellishment competitions.

Attendees will have a chance to win their own R2R bags through the raffle—so don’t miss this once in a lifetime opportunity to get in that eco-sexy dress and party the night away!

For inquiries or guest listing, kindly contact Laurence Go at +639177930041.

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE IN A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE

RIIR: Creating Eco-Ethical Statement in Style 2009

January 2009: Vol.2, No.1

WHAT IT TAKES TO BE IN A SOCIAL ENTERPRISE: My Personal Journey with R2R

by: Memey Mendoza

What I feel now is just an inexplicable sense of peace… that
everything is falling into place… everything is finally making sense.

When I resigned from my corporate job in 2006, I did so as a leap of
faith – with no idea where my next source of income would come from,
or what would happen the next day, the next month, the next year. All
I knew for sure was that after a decade of being career-driven, I was
excited to be free to do anything, ANYTIME. That I had fallen in love
with my God and wanted to glorify and give my best to Him. I had
FEARLESS FAITH that I will be okay.

And I think… I am finally where I am supposed to be. I have found my
corner in the sky.

I am part of R2R, a social enterprise that creates social statement in
style. It is a business built for the Payatas community, where their
weaving talents are honed to create fashionable designer bags.

It finally makes sense why I had built a career in sales, where I sold
coffee to sari-sari stores in the province using a six wheeler truck,
where I traveled the country and have been to practically all the
major palengkes and retail channels nationwide, selling skincare,
homecare, and food products to both the masses and the elite. Why I
have always been a reluctant leader, being given more and more
responsibilities without asking, and given multiple key positions in
sales, promotions, merchandising. Why I feel at home in Trade
Marketing and found my passion in this thankless, challenging sales
SUPPORT function. Why through my 12 year sales career, I have honed
my leadership skills, dabbled in consultancy and now enjoy coaching
and building up the team around me. And why despite the continuous
promotions, the 7 figure income and global opportunities, it was an
easy choice to study theology instead.

I think those 12 years in the corporate world was the Lord’s way of
training me for my real job. For R2R.

Why R2R? Because this is where I have found my calling of adding
value to others through my gifts and talents. Naturally,
Effortlessly, Wholeheartedly.

For some reason, in Payatas I always feel at home. I don’t smell the
dumpsite or see the shabby homes. What I feel are the hugs from my
ates and what I see are their smiles. What I hear are their warm
greetings and happy banter. What I remember are the sharing of
thoughts, deep musings, jokes and asaran. Kahit na minsan
nagkakaiyakan, there is a strong sense of wanting the best for each
other. What I see is World-Class Excellence and potential.

In Payatas, there is an abundance of social issues, but I see an even
more abundance of talents and solutions.

In Payatas, there are those who practice crab mentality – but I
personally coach a leader who dreams of grooming a successor and
seeing her team take the reigns of R2R in the future.

In a shrinking global economy, R2R continues to expand, hire more
hands, and increase its reach to all 7 continents.

In this season of company closures from slow sales, R2R has sold out
its full inventory as early as November, and is faced with
skyrocketing orders instead.

In this age of technology, gadgets, and emails, R2R has reminded me
about the value of one’s personal touch in motivating a company.

In the midst of this fast-paced economy, exists this group of
individuals who share a fearless faith and belief in the Lord
Almighty, who consistently lift up all our concerns and challenges to
Him, knowing that somehow, the impossible will be made possible.

In this age of skepticism and cost-cutting, R2R has been fueled with
the generosity of friends and strangers alike, whose resources, time
and talents came just in the nick of time—Kyros.

After more than 20 months since that first Sunday mass with the
Everlasting community, the friends who first befriended the nanays,
brainstormed, and dreamt… are all still here bonding, brainstorming,
dreaming— in wide-eyed shock, wonder and deep gratitude at how far
R2R has progressed.

In all our brochures we communicate that R2R stands for 4Ps- People,
Planet, Profit and Positive Influence. There is actually a 5th P
which the nanays have declared as our FIRST core value – PRAYER. It
is this that fuels each of us – we all have a personal relationship
with the Lord. In all this success, awards, prestige and global
exposures, we all believe and know that it is all because of HIM and
for HIM.

It is this mix of professional credibility, spirituality and personal
involvement that describes the team behind R2R.

If you ask me now what it takes to build a social enterprise? … one
word — sincerity.

A social enterprise is personal. It stems from a personal cause which
you do NOT like – therefore you passionately want to fix. An
authentic social enterprise produces ideas that simply hit the core.
It recognizes natural talent and potential. It attracts like-minded
people who share the same passion, and whose gifts are complementary
to each other. A social enterprise draws investors, long term
partnerships with the best the industry has to offer. An authentic
social enterprise is composed of people who work with no regard of who
gets the credit. An authentic social enterprise, builds, expands,
shares. A real social enterprise transforms individuals into a
community, a community into a family, a family into a country.

Most importantly, being part of a social enterprise fulfills one’s own
life purpose. It is consistent with your personal dreams and
aspirations. You enjoy what you are doing, there is a strong sense of
balance. A strong sense of FULFILLMENT, of SATISFACTION, of GRATITUDE.

To me, being with Rags2Riches is a culmination of a life-long dream in
many respects. This journey has taken me to new heights, unexpected
surprises and continuous learning. But what I can share for sure…
this is a fulfillment of my purpose.

R2R is an answered prayer to the Payatas women, yes.

BUT more than that, R2R is an answered prayer to ME.

And as we have proven with the USF Competition, Body Shop Grant and
now the BiD Competition… R2R is an answered prayer to our COUNTRY.
It brings transformation and hope. From National Dumpsite to
National Pride. R2R is slowly transforming the country.

R2R is transforming ME.

I (in white,beside Bro.Javy) enjoyed being with the nanays