The Gifts and Graces Retazo Collection features art purses designed from scrap fabric by disadvantaged sewers in Manila. The collection started with donated scrap textiles from abroad which were combined with local fabrics to create patchwork purses, full panel purses, and structured bags. The collection provides income to women sewers through regular orders, allowing them to support their families and communities.

2. The Gifts and Graces Retazo Collection
is a collection of Art Purses designed from upcycled pieces of fabric
sewn together by disadvantaged sewers in Metro Manila to make
one-of-a-kind, environment-friendly, designer bags.

3. It started with a balikbayan box of premium
scrap textile generously donated from
abroad.
From these textiles, combined with
indigenous fabric like T'nalak,
Gifts and Graces Designer Marge Obligacion
designed quilted patchwork purses, full
panel purses, and structured drum-style
bags. Smaller pieces were made
into pouches and wristlets.
This is the story of the premium Retazo
Collection and the people behind it.

4. This is Nanay Linda Casimiro from Bgy. 844 Pandacan, Manila walking on Obeses Street
with Gifts and Graces' Jeremy Callegher and Ate Liezel Quismorio, also from Bgy. 844.

5. Nanay Linda uses her technical skill and her eye for design to
execute the prototype for Gifts and Graces' patchwork purse.

6. Through her sewing, Nanay Linda was able to send her five children to school.
She now supports her grandchild.

7. On the other side of the metro is Bgy. P. Cruz, Barangka, situated on the riverbanks on the border of the
cities of Makati and Mandaluyong, where we find the Pamana Pag-Asa Cooperative.

8. Pamana Pag-Asa Cooperative is a group of women sewers headed by Nanay Edith Arimado, seen here
cutting the retaso, or scrap cloth.

9. This Cooperative also runs a day care center.

10. The women of Pamana work hand in hand to benefit themselves, their families, and their community.

11. The gains made by Pamana provided its members with an alternative to selling
used clothes as a primary means of livelihood.

12. From premium scrap fabric . . .

13. . . . Transformed by community-based women sewers who constantly seek to improve their craft . . .

14. . . . And back to the Gifts and Graces Design and Marketing team for final quality control,
packaging, and distribution . . .

15. . . . Come the Retazo Collection purses
made with love especially for the woman with
compassion and discriminating taste.

16. Like these pieces of patchwork, it has taken a global community of donors, producers, and volunteers
who have partnered with Gifts and Graces to produce these special, one-of-a-kind bags.

17. This premium collection provides the women sewers with regular orders.
With these orders they are given more than a thread of hope, or pag-asa in Filipino,
that they will be able to provide themselves and their families with better lives and a better future.

18. The Retazo Collection purses and pouches are now available at the following locations:
Wellworth Department Store, Fairview Terraces, Quezon City
Robinson's Department Store Ermita, Manila
Robinson's Department Store Galleria, Oritgas Ave., Quezon City
Ayala Museum Shop, Ayala Museum, Makati City
Gifts and Graces office Unit 114 Mile Long Building Amorsolo Street Makati City

19. Gifts and Graces is a not-for-profit fair trade certified social enterprise that empowers disadvantaged
craftsmen, artisans, and micro-entrepreneurs through product development, market access, and
capacity building. We believe that fair trade and manufacturing are scalable solutions to fighting poverty.
To learn more about the work that we do, our Retazo Collection, and our other great products, do email
us, visit us, or drop us a line. We'd love to hear from you.

20. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thanks to all those who helped make this photo essay possible.
Special thanks goes to George Moya who brought this photo essay to life. George generously shared his
ideas to help us come up with the concept of a photo essay and a story arc, and he shared his time and
talent to take these beautiful photos. Through his work, we were better able to share the story of the
people behind our best selling Retazo Collection.
To Nanays Linda Casimiro, Liezel Quismorio, Edith Arimado and the members of the Pamana Pag-Asa
Cooperative thanks for agreeing to be part of this shoot and for accomodating George on several visits.
And to Jill Loquellano for gamely agreeing to be our model for this photo shoot.
Thanks for being the perfect match for the art purses.

21. Unit 114 Mile Long Building Amorsolo St. Makati City
+632 7592525
info@giftsandgraces.com
www.giftsandgraces.com
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