Features

Good for People and Planet

Our NGO partner, Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFP), works directly with artisans to ensure forest products used in our eco-bags are supplied sustainably. NTFP helps us work directly with artisans of the rainforest and sets guidelines for fair trade and sustainability standards. They were the first NGO to initiate sustainability certification programs with the Dayak artisans in rainforests of Borneo.

Design Your Own

Join us in the #slowfashion movement as we take a stand for the health of our natural world. We’re thick into the research and design phase of our business, and you can help us by testing our software that allows you to design your own handbag. Express yourself and create an eco- bag that is your very own style. Soon, we'll be building custom bags with natural materials that are not only beautiful but good for the planet.  

Empower Women

#gratitude4thegoddess

Now more than ever, women are being called to rise and stand in unity to be represented in our global communities. Please join our initiative to amplify the goddess within each of us. Send a free token of appreciation to a woman you love or nominate someone for the Goddess on the Rise search.

Testimonials

Laurel style handmade rattan handbag with orange leather accents. Eco-friendly, beautiful and durable. Purchase for $200

I love my bag! It has tons of room, plenty of pockets for organizing, and it looks great on my arm. I like that my tablet fits in it nicely as well.

Aspen style handmade rattan handbag with red leather accents and bamboo handle. Purchase for $150

Love my Aspen, the pockets inside fit my cards and a separate pocket for iphone. Like that I can have the bag on my shoulder, flip the clasp, reach the items I need and re-clasp without taking the bag off my shoulder. The red leather shoulder band allows the purse to hang at a high waist height, good for viewing what is inside when open. I have not been using the bamboo handle, but may with certain outfits in the summer. The bottom of the bag has brass feet which balance the bag when set down. Lovely.

I ordered this purse for my mom’s birthday. After I placed my order Carole sent me an email saying that it was out of stock, but they should have it in time to ship. Carole followed up with tracking information and the purse arrived the morning of my mom’s birthday.

My mom loved the purse, especially the inside divider and the two strap/handle options.

All Testimonials

Purse for the People Blog

EhengIV

Sea Grass, Bark Cloth and Forest Life

A Girl in the Forest As you may have guessed, the highlight of our last sourcing journey was the time we spent in Eheng Village on the island of Borneo (Kalimantan).  We were graciously invited to stay and experience the beautiful culture and rhythms of  Dayak life.  Children walking to and from school, domesticated livestock […]

Mendong1

Tigers Teeth and Fashion Fibers

The adventure of finding new and interesting fibers from the forests of Borneo is filled with surprises. We’ve shared the natural materials of rattan, water hyacinth, banana and pandan in our previous posts, so what could possibly be next?  There really are a surprising number of fibers yet to talk about, all beautiful, natural and […]

banana III

Notes from the Rainforest:

What We Found: In our last post we introduced two materials from the rainforest: rattan and water hyacinth.  We wanted to introduce pandan and banana this week.  Each of these materials will be detailed at length in future posts.   We also made a brief video of our adventures into Java and Borneo to share from […]

Sustainablychic Aspen Bag by Purse for the People

What We Found in the Forest

Natural Materials from the Rainforest Overview Rattan and Water Hyacinth:  If we use more of these materials, positive economic pressures are placed to keep the forest in tact.  The indigenous people of the forest also benefit by staying on the land and managing it in the sustainable ways of their ancient cultures. As the New […]