Ragbag is a brand for upcycled bags and accessories, designed by talented European designers. The production is done by ‘ragpickers’ and small fabricators in the slums of Delhi and Calcutta (India), providing them work and income.

Ragbag is started in 2005 by Siem Haffmans after meeting Anita Ahuja of Conserve on a conference about EcoDesign. The first collection is designed by Ellen Sillekens (Rietveld Academy) and produced by Conserve in New Delhi (India). In 2005 Ragbag won the BiD Challenge (Business in Development) and in 2006 the “Ei van Columbus Award” and the “European Business Award for the Environment”. In 2007 the Calcutta collection was launched, designed by Vera Winthagen (Design Academy Eindhoven) and produced by Fairdeal Crafts in Calcutta. In 2010 the Tea-bags and Cushions are launched, produced by Adithya Trade in Tamil Nadu.

(Photo credits: www.ragbag.eu)

Our principles:

> Fair – We work on a equal base with small partners, always paying them a fair price of approximately 20% of the advised consumer price.

> Upcycled – Our products are made mainly out of post-consumer waste, that is upcycled to a higher level.

> Fashion – We work with talented designers from the best design schools.

tags: accessories, bags, wallets, phone sleeves, papeterie, Recycling, Upcycling, Trashcycling, sustainability, ecological, label