It is small, independent companies like SF bay area-based Escama (fish scales in Portugese) that are making a global impact. They partnered up with two woman’s cooperatives in BrasÃÂÂlia, Brasil to provide jobs to women in economically challenged communities, who take much pride in creating handbags from recycled materials.
Escama offers three supple and leightweight pull tab variations, a shoulder bag, a cosmetic bag and the pictured messenger bag in 7 colors. All bag’s insides are made from high quality nylon liner. The full shiny weave collection is only available in Cali retail stores, while Hip & Zen sell the shoulder bag and the cosmetic bag online for $80 and $28, respectively. Head over to Escama’s web site for more information about their program.
