A beautiful thing it is when fashion meets function as with the creations of Malia Designs. I was just made aware of these bags this weekend when I ran into my friend Paige at Fresh Market. She had one and just looking at it I knew it held a story.Malia Designs is a socially-conscious company that produces attractive, purposeful messenger bags, totes, scarves and wallets made in Cambodia by vendors with a human rights' mission. Malia bags provide sustainable income for disadvantaged people.
The Cambodian groups that make the bags are non-governmental / non-profit organizations dedicated to preventing human trafficking and providing employment for land mine victims, the disabled and street people.
The goal is to bring their crafts to Western markets and therefor expand their access to sustainable income. Valerio Malia Designs' products are made from recycled rice bags, repurposed mosquito netting and locally-produced silk. They range in price between $30 and $60.
Malia Designs donates a portion of profits to an organization that fights human trafficking. This year the money contributed by Malia went towards buying beds for a specific orphanage in Cambodia where children had requested this need.
Human trafficking adversely affects one million people every year, including people living in the United States. One way to counteract this global issue is to increase access to economic opportunity in the most affected areas. A great handbag, designed to carry a cause is a much needed accessory to any wardrobe!
The creations are available nation-wide:
www.letsbagit.net/servlet/the-Malia-Rice-Bags/Categories
http://www.maliadesigns.com/
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