Environmentally friendly bags popular with celebrities, students

It’s the bag that not only adds trend to an outfit, but also helps save the planet.

With the “Go Green” movement and environmentally friendly products gaining popularity, Rebagz is becoming the latest hit in the fashion industry.

The handbag line offers colorful backpacks, totes, shoulder bags, clutches, wallets and more – all made from recyclable materials such as woven fruit juice packs and industrial rice bags.

Marty Stevens-Heebner, founder and president of Half the Sky Designs – Rebagz’ parent company – came up with the idea after wanting to expand her jewelry design business. She decided to use the fabrics after discovering them during a trip to the Philippines. It was there she encountered a Fair Trade Organization who made the woven fruit juice pack pattern.

“I loved the way the [juice pack] weave looked,” Stevens-Heebner said. “I thought it was more beautiful than any other fabric I was seeing at the fabric stores.”

Stevens-Heebner found the rice bags design at the local Filipino markets. Both designs were chosen because of their beauty and fashion-forward style, she said.

This is one of the reasons why Amanda McCann, spa supervisor at One Ocean Resort and Spa said she decided to sell the line at One Ocean in Atlantic Beach. It has been a popular line among the spa, health, and zen and wellness industries, she said.

“It makes the perfect gift because it’s recyclable, fun and has cool colors,” McCann said.

But Rebagz just doesn’t help the environment, it also helps the citizens of developing countries.

Stevens-Heebner, who has a human rights background, makes sure her employees work in acceptable conditions.

“It’s very important to me that the people making the bags are being paid and treated fairly,” she said.
Stevens-Heebner said eco-fashion has helped these countries’ economies. The citizens must turn to recycling because they can’t afford to keep buying things, she said.

Rebagz have become a staple in Hollywood with celebrities like Heidi Klum, Christina Aguilera and Angelina Jolie carrying them around, Stevens-Heebner said. One of the bags, the multicolor large tie tote, has been featured in the TV series, “Ugly Betty.”

Major fashion designers have also started to incorporate eco-friendly aspects in their lines, Stevens-
Heebner said.

“A lot of the major lines are starting to incorporate some sort of sustainability, whether it’s using recyclable or organic materials or making sure workers are taken care of,” she said. “I think it’s becoming more mainstream.”

Stevens-Heebner understands eco-fashion products are still expensive, so that’s why she wants the bags to be reasonably priced for college students. Prices range from $15 to $150, she said.

Rebagz gives college students a chance to show their concern for the planet and humanity, she said.

“There are so many beautiful, colorful and vibrant things out there that can be recycled and given a second life into these beautiful bags,” Stevens-Heebner said. “That’s why I think it’s a way of putting your money where your mouth is. [College students] talk about the environment and wanting people to be treated and paid fairly and this is one way to do it.”

McCann said Rebagz has become popular among college students. She added that Rebagz is a “great testament to the environmental consciousness of future generations.”

“I think that it’s very trendy to be eco-friendly,” she said. “It’s cute to wear out and it’s a product that people are going to ask or converse about.”

Rebagz launched in July 2007, and is sold in 300 stores throughout the United States, Canada, Central America and Europe. For more information, visit rebagz.com.

E-mail Laura Franco at staff2@unfspinnaker.com.