Megalo Bag wins Les Découvertes at Maison et Objet Paris
We have very exciting news to share: the Megalo Bag, which won the best New Discovery prize at the recent Maison et Objet Paris 2012 trade show is ready for order in all our beautiful colour ways! To get yours at R1600, please email us on info@township.co.za.
It’s a must have – see what elle-blog had to say about our bag:
Translated Article from Elle-blog
Megalo Bag – Township Patterns: my favorite of Maison et Objet Paris
This year I was invited, for the second consecutive year, by the Maison & Objet trade show that takes place in Paris, to form part of the jury judging New Discovery. Maison & Objet is one of the most important international trade shows dedicated to Decor. Industry professionals, buyers and journalists come from all over the world to meet at Villepinte where they uncover the latest trends in material and décor.
During the past few shows around 20 online authorities have been invited to participate in selecting the winners of the “Discovery’’ awards. Each participant gets involved with a sector corresponding to his/her preferences and then set out to search high and low for exceptional offerings in their chosen category.
I moved from textiles last year to ‘world objects’ in the home decor category this year. It really isn’t easy to find unique and innovative products that are both beautiful and unusual. I anticipated the ‘world décor’ section to be filled with ideas that have already been exploited like the asian decor that is seen all over – wooden Bouddhas and bags from Nepal – I know it is a rather simplistic interpretation.
I went up and down the exhibition isles several times before I accidently stumbled upon a stand that offered different textile products like bags, pouches and scarves, made from original fabrics inspired by the women of South Africa.
The name of the brand is Township Patterns, a social enterprise which allows the women from the Khayelitsha township near Cape Town to have a stable work and earn a steady income through their sewing skills. A profitable enterprise that not only provides the livelihood for these women and their families but also promotes their work.
The objects are created by the Founder and Designer of the brand, Nicole-Marie Iresch. The fabrics are designed according to the local colour and tradition and the products are manufactured locally. Through their competence and work-ethic these woman control their entire production line. Certain bags are emboidered with proteas’ a local emblem.
I immediately fell in love with the brand, partly because of the human element but also because the products are simultaneously original, trendy, ethnic, colourful, practical and solid. These articles have a beautiful story, symbolizing success for the founders of a social & human project that engaged the local communities, allowing them professional accomplishment in a worthy environment.
The bag that I chose as my favourite at the Maison & Objet show: The Megalo bag – in harmonious colour prints with leather handles quality clasps. I would like to point out the emblem embroidered on the front. I liked the practical aspect, the large volume, the vibrant fabric, the ethnic chic aspect, at the same time original and multi-functional, perfectly finished with a beautiful story behind it! Exactly the type of bag that one wears with pride, I love it!!
The Brand also offers conference bags for large congresses and seminars, shopping bags in eco-cotton; a line of clothes perfect for summer, including bustiers, ballerina’s, sandals and scarves with crochet borders. Or even fascinating decor accessories like the large cushion covers made from coffee bags with colourful hand-embroidery and crochet borders, used as rugs or cushions.
Now this is what I call a good initiative with real values that we would like to see more often, plus beautiful products! I must admit that I am really thrilled to have awarded them this prize that they deserved entirely. I hope that we will hear talk of Township Patterns in future and that we will see this flower emblem on our beaches and in our streets.
Cath – Elle-blog
http://www.elle-blog.com/
This is a translated blog post from Frech Elle-blog. For original please follow the link: http://www.elle-blog.com/index.php/534-megalo-bag-de-la-marque-township-patterns-mon-coup-de-coeur-du-salon-maisonobjet
