Rags 2 Riches | Rajo's Blog

Posts Tagged ‘rags 2 riches’

The Cory Aquino Bag!

Tuesday, September 8th, 2009

I just wanted to share with you my latest project with Rags2Riches. In cooperation with the Eastwood Mall, I designed a shopping bag in tribute to the late president Mrs. Cory Aquino. This is the second time that I have done this for them, and since the first project was so very well received, I obliged to do the Cory Aquino edition.

I thought the project was so perfect because I consider Mrs. Aquino as a symbol of motherhood for the Philippines, and the project involves the mothers of the poorest areas in the country. When I arrived at Eastwood Mall, the bags were already sold out! There is now a waiting list for the bags and it will be available next week! The bag is 600 Pesos and all the proceeds will be shared by the Rags2Riches and the Ninoy Aquino Foundation. Please support my project and let’s reinforce the cycle of goodness!

We are still using the same design philosophies that have been the main ethos of the R2R project: sustainability and recycled earth-friendly materials.

The Nanay Leaders of Payatas proudly showing their creations!

Me and Nanays!

Bam Aquino represented the Family of Mrs. Aquino and the Ninoy Aquino foundation.

Please help our cause and improve the lives of so many Filipinos in need!

HUGS!
RAJO!

Tags: Cory Aquino, eastwood mall, Fashion Insider, rags 2 riches, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 1 Comment »

R2R @ The Eastwood Mall!

Friday, June 5th, 2009

I have two special groups that are very close to my heart. My Rags-2-Riches group, which is a social business enterprise that helps out the women of Payatas, and the Philippine National Red Cross. I try my best to raise funds and awareness for them every chance I get. So you can just imagine my joy when I had the opportunity to help both organizations at one time! This all happened when my friend Kevin Tan gave me a call and asked if I was willing to design a shopping bag for his Eastwood Mall. I automatically thought of using my Nanays of Payatas!

I am so proud of these women, as we have won several awards all over the world ! I am happy to announce that our family has grown from 20 nanays all the way to almost 400 strong! I wanted to have a photo exhibit showcasing the lives of these women, and I also wanted the people to see where the bags came from. It’s really quite touching when you see the pictures. We launched this project a couple of days ago at the Eastwood Mall, and although it was raining cats and dogs, we had quite the crowd!

I just want to invite all of you to come and take a check out the Eastwood Mall in Libis. It’s really quite impressive. When I went, I thought I was in Vegas! LOL! They even have a Superga store, which is one of my most favorite shoe brands from Italy.

I know you might have a lot of these eco-bags already, but our bags are really different, as each bag is one of a kind. The goodness that you will give out in return from purchasing these bags is immeasurable. All the proceeds of the bags will go to R2R and The Red Cross! So please come and buy and be a part in changing lives!

: Kevin Tan and the host of the evening! My darling Tessa Valdes.

: Tessa carrying the Eastwood Mall ECO-CHIC bag! We only made 500 bags and they are all numbered and personally signed by the nanay who made them. The bag is only 600.00 Pesos.

: Kevin, Tessa and I with the team leaders of the Nanays of R2R.

: The photos were taken by Erwin Liberato and Richelle VIbal. This is a photo of Smokey mountain, which is located in Payatas.

: The retasos/remnants are handwoven to create the material for the bags.

: The bags are sewn using old sewing machines.

: These are the handles for the ECO-Chic bags of the Eastwood mall.

: Handles being tested and shaped.

One of the nanay's working on the frame, which is how the bags are made.

One of the nanays working on the frame, showing how the bags are made.

Mariana from Spain and Ariana from Brazil modellng our bags!

Nix, Fayinna, Carla and Joanna showing their support!

Leo and Marielle Po with Stylebible's Isha Andaya! Thank you so much for coming and braving the rain and the traffic.

The Red Cross was fully represented by Mr. Alfred Xerex-Burgos and Mrs. Lulu Quezon.

Men in STRIPES! Keving Tan and Raul Manzano.

The smiles of these children are my personal remuneration.

We had a quick fashion show with the bags!

HUGS!

RAJO!

Tags: charity, eastwood mall, eco-chic, Fashion Insider, friends, payatas, rags 2 riches, rajo laurel
Posted in Fashion Insider | 2 Comments »

RIIR by Aranaz!

Wednesday, March 18th, 2009

I may not have a child, but I now know how a parent must feel when a child does so very, very well! I was beaming with pride when I attended the launch of R2R’s newest line designed by the very talented Amina Aranaz-Alunan. The collection was ABSOLUTELY STUNNING!

When Brother Xavi asked me to be part of the Rags to Riches project, it just felt so right. This is exactly how I envisioned where R2R would be heading a collaboration of minds and talents. Now it feels so wonderful to see the women of Payatas creating these beautiful works of art! I had to leave the launch early but I am sure that the collection sold very well. The rest of you must visit the ARANAZ stores in Greenbelt 5 and in Rockwell – there maybe some stock left. The collection is very limited, so come as soon as possible!

: The beautiful and talented Amina Aranaz-Alunan! Thank you, sweetie, for your giving heart!

: This macrame bag is called LAMBAT, the perfect beach tote! I can see every chic gal carrying it in Bora, Bohol and Cebu!

: I loved the concept of the presentation for the launch. Amina, who owns and teaches at the fashion school called SOFA, had the students create lovely “paper” dresses as a perfect foil for the bags!

: I love this bag called the MARIA ROSA!

: A detail shot of the Maria Rosa tote. The rosettes are just so adorable! Can anyone imagine that this used to be scrap and trash?

: I found the perfect summer bag and it’s called APLAYA! This just made me almost scream with delight! The colors are just to die for!

: Amina invited established Filipino fashion designers to participate in the launch. This was created by Dong Omaga-Diaz.

: This amazing dress was done by my dear friend Jojie Lloren. It’s made from newspaper! However, he fused it and sewed the paper like it was a dress! The bag is also soooooo chic!