Avida Land Partners with Rags2Riches for Sustainable and Inspired Living

What inspires you?

For me, if someone is putting a lot of hard work into something, it is truly inspirational. For others, it may be a memorable phrase or a moving piece of art. And if you see a beautiful home with thoughtful trimmings and details, don’t you feel inspired to go home and appreciate your own space after a long day’s work?

I was grateful to witness an inspirational collaboration between Avida Land and Rags2Riches, which aims to spark inspiration while creating possibilities and opportunities.

As Avida Land celebrates 25 years of inspired living, one of the highlights of this collaboration is the showcasing of Rags2Riches’ specially designed line of home accessories at the Avida showroom in Glorietta starting August 12, 2015. This collection is meant to support and highlight Filipino talent while empowering communities across the country. Sustainability is part of Avida Land’s DNA, and they are proud to share the same values with Rags2Riches in their work with partner communities.

Reese Fernandez-Ruiz, president of R2R, and Tess Tatco, Avida Land head of marketing, highlighted how this initiative and partnership allow them to showcase meaningful creations in the homes of future Avida partners and homeowners, while also letting them become part of a story of positive change.

The concept behind Rags2Riches began seven years ago as a response to a social problem rooted in inequality. Local artisans were creating beautiful products but were not receiving the recognition and fair compensation they deserved. Over time, they partnered with young professionals and talented designers, growing through collaboration, and the rest is history.

Rags2Riches is a social enterprise where artisans are given regular production opportunities. They currently work with around 900 artisans, with about 200 actively engaged. Since this partnership is built for sustainability, they continue to expand and will need more artisans in the future who can be trained and become part of this meaningful collaboration with Avida Land.

This particular collaboration is something new for Rags2Riches. They are excited to see homes with Rags2Riches products. The new line R2R Living is a platform for a much bigger audience to hear about the stories of these talented artisans. Avida Land and Rags2Riches have always been believers of the talents of Filipinos.

Dubbed as the Live Inspired Collection, the line evokes the various lifestyle inspired by Avida Land showcasing stylish mats, coasters, and throw pillows.
Rags2Riches ensures that each product is attributed to the artisan who painstakingly weaved and stitched the product to life.

The R2R collection will be offered to Avida Land buyers and they'd be having a series of open houses and it will be part of Avida Land's gift to them. This collection actually is essential items inside a home. The basic, typical things with a lot of hard work and inspiration behind it.

This is just one of the collaborations. For the month of August, numerous workshops will be conducted. You can visit the collection set up at the Avida Land showroom that will run until September 12 they will offer to Avida Land residents. This will be public and can be bought online.

R2R started from fashion lines and R2R is just an extension rather than an exchange. They still have the fashion lines available at several outlets. For the home line, R2R believes that it is a good next step because a lot of people are interested with the weaving collection which can also be applied to home accessories as well. Its not always fashion but lifestyle. When you talk about lifestyle, you don't see that on how you dress, how you look but also how you live. It is their brand message.

They are not closing their doors to the possibility of expansion into other product categories such as furniture. In fact, it is something they are looking forward to exploring and experimenting on. R2R is not only supporting artisans, but also bridging artisans to the market and the market back to the artisans.

The photos below showcase some of the remarkable creations made by the artisans, displayed at the Avida Land showroom in Glorietta.

They even allowed us to try weaving on a small frame so we could experience firsthand how the process is done.

I was quite a fast-learner myself!

Sir Niel of Stratworks enjoying his free training on how to become a great weaver someday. LOL

These colorful and durable wallets can be purchased for only 400 each. Not bad, eh?

My heart belongs to these babies. These remarkable bags were made by the highly talented artisans of R2R. These pieces are priced at 4,000 and up.

Live Inspired is all about bringing inspiring messages into one’s home. Be part of this wonderful partnership and visit the Avida Land showroom nearest you to discover a lifestyle of passion and inspiration.

The Live Inspired Collection can be viewed at the Ayala Showroom in Glorietta until September 12, and pre-orders will be accepted at all Rags2Riches outlets and through their online store at www.Rags2Riches.ph