The Tinga Tote.

Category: Accessories

The Tinga Tote. Our project aims to revitalize the fashion industry by introducing a line of beautiful, innovative and sustainable leather tote bags. We will accomplish this in several ways. FIRST, The Tinga Tote will be made from previously-loved leather couches, bags, unused leather stock and more, repurposing them into functional and stylish accessories. For aesthetic appeal, our tote bags will showcase unique and meticulously handpainted art using vibrant oil pastels, inspired by the colorful Tinga Tinga art style from Tanzania. The art style not only also uses low-cost materials, but also has a rich history descending from African cave painting, making it a worthy inspiration. In the choice of materials, the oils in oil pastels condition the leather to keep looking fresh, and leather makes for a beautifully textured yet extremely durable canvas, which makes the merging of these two materials the perfect choice. In addition, the bags will feature glass beads as decorations and labels, to honor the beading culture of the Kenyan Samburu and Kamba communities. SECOND, the Tinga Tote’s fusion of cultural heritage and contemporary design not only adds a unique flair to each bag but also serves a practical purpose. The paintings and beadwork conceal imperfections in the recycled leather, thereby enhancing sustainability by widening the viable choices of leather. Our production process will also reduce environmental footprint by hiring artisans trained in the Tinga Tinga art style. This preserves the art style and also promotes economic empowerment. Another facet of waste reduction and economic strategy is that the tote bag’s pattern is relatively simple, requiring flat planes and minimal sewing skill, which reduces production time and cost, and adds to the number of people that could benefit from employment. LASTLY, the tote bag has been in fashion for several years, even being adopted by globally recognized brands.The longevity of the trend makes this idea a viable commercial choice. Research on pre-existing models shows that tote bags owners have discarded them due to the lack of durability of the materials used, and that they tend to dirty and tear easily. This is a source of waste in the garment and fabric industry. The use of leather and other choices implemented in making The Tinga Tote solve this problem and many more. With our idea, we seek to prioritize creativity, culture, and commercial viability, while promoting environmental consciousness.

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