Fashion. love, Africa designs and purchases hand knitted bags constructed from post consumer plastic bags gathered and woven by women living in the garbage slum of Nakuru, Kenya. Each bag is purchased directly from the woman who constructed it, allowing her a consistent source of income. $10 from every bag sold also goes back to the slum by way of projects that help with medical aid, relocation, and child sponsorship. This is black and white zebra striped Mercy bag is 100% hand crocheted from plastic bags and may vary slightly.
Located right outside Nakuru, Kenya is the Gioto Garbage Slum, home to approximately 140 families and 300 children. After witnessing firsthand the dismal conditions of the Gioto slum, designer Ryan Clements decided to produce a line of bags from Africa that would provide a lifeline for its residents. Directly inspired by the bags the slum women were already producing themselves, Clements began designing and purchasing the handwoven satchels from the women, supporting their craft as well as their community via an international NGO established in Kenya. Each of the designs is named after a woman who made it—a simple yet effective way of connecting your purchase to the people it benefits the most.
After gathering, cleaning, and disinfecting the bags, the artisans hand-weave them into vibrant totes with designs such as stripes, “tweed,” or a faux zebra print. Besides offering a source of income, $10 from every bag sold goes back to the slum by way of projects that help with medical aid, relocation, and child sponsorship.
