Support Guatemalan Artisans With New Rebecca Minkoff + Honest Co. Handbag Collection
It’s not hard to see why New York-based designer and social media lover Rebecca Minkoff and actress-turned-CEO Jessica Alba, whose billion-dollar eco-friendly brand The Honest Company landed her on Forbes’ list of the richest self-made women, might just be kindred spirits. Both have excelled in their individual enterprises thanks to their unwavering visions, their willingness to listen to their customers and address their needs, and their fearlessness in regards to innovating and evolving with the times. They also both have the desire to support other female artisans and businesswomen — something that’s particularly evident with the launch of the new RM + Honest Co. handbag collection, which features two handbag styles fashioned using gorgeous textiles hand-woven by FINCA entrepreneurs in Guatemala. Part of the proceeds from the sale of each handbag, meanwhile, will benefit FINCA’s efforts to empower low-income female workers around the globe, so that they have the micro-financing necessary to grow their businesses and so that they’re introduced to new avenues of commerce (via collaborations such as this one).
To source the textiles used in the collection, Alba and Minkoff visited a small village near Lake Atitlán in Guatemala, where they saw first-hand the laborious process of creating these fabrics — from the boiling pots of water harboring the plant leaves used to dye the yarns to the wooden looms employed to loom each fabric.
The result of their meticulous craftsmanship can be seen in the RM + Honest Co. Baby Bag ($395 at RebeccaMinkoff.com), a drawstring diaper bag featuring one-of-a-kind fabrics in either a multi-colored red motif (as shown above at top) or a multi-colored black pattern (shown second above). Each tote features the unique textile along the front surface, marrying these yarns with supple leather for a chic and city slick look. Measuring 13″ in height, 5.5″ in depth, and 2.25″ in width, the tote features a shoulder strap with a 22″ drop, a wipeable nylon lining (a clever addition since, as all moms know, spills are inevitable when you’re always toting around baby bottles and sippy cups), a fold-out changing mat (so diaper changes ago as smoothly as possible), two large exterior elastic pockets, two exterior side zip pockets, and two interior slip pockets, along with a detachable zippered interior pouch (perfect for baby wipes and diapers).
Those looking for a smaller handbag, meanwhile, can opt for the RM + Honest Co. Hope Pouch($75 at RebeccaMinkoff.com), shown third and fourth above, a zippered envelope clutch in which to hold essentials like keys, cell phone, wallet, hand sanitizer, baby wipes, and your signature lipstick.
Not only do these handbags support a great organization, but they celebrate the beauty of Guatemalan textiles while also incorporating these into Minkoff’s designs in a way that feels seamless and doesn’t compromise her own aesthetic. As for Alba’s contribution, she clearly thought about all the qualities women look for in a diaper bag — such as it not looking like a frumpy diaper bag, but still having the requisite pockets, compartments, and features. The RM+ Honest Co. Baby Bag certainly meets all the criteria, and it’s so stunning that even child-less gals will want to rock it!
