Whenever I see a clever tote, purse or accessories made of brightly colored wrappers and labels, I immediately think: “Oh, that’s got to be a Nahui Ollin.”
Nahui Ollin is known for unique products, mostly handbags and totes, made out of recycled materials. There’s no mistaking a Nahui Ollin design. The “fabric” is a woven checkerboard of labels, most often unused soda can labels and candy wrappers, bought from a local factory in Mexico near where the designer, Olga Abadi, lives. Even the fittings are recycled materials, such as leather and suede. Each bag is hand-made, with the larger ones requiring hundreds, and sometimes, thousands, of labels. No two bags are alike, so whatever you get, it’s a bona fide original.
first fell in love with her designs when I saw them at Caravan’s first boutique on Great Jones Street in the Village, a few years ago. At first, I thought anything made from something as simple as wrappers and labels would just fall apart, but these bags are well made, and strong (you’d really be amazed). They are “green” and colorful. The signature “fabric” is a rainbow of multi-colored labels, woven together in a riot of color. I like the pink coin purse above, for Spring.
But I like the bright red Coin Purse (just $20.00) for Valentine’s Day (the one shown here on the left is pink, the one on the right is in the red “fabric” but it is larger than the coin purse). The coin purse I love is crated from solid red labels, with just a few pieces of red and white label woven in. But on the flip side near the zipper, you can see pieces of other labels with pops of yellow, green and orange. The carry handle is also red–red leather. T
his little coin purse would be too small for me as an evening bag–I am just not that much of a minimalist. So use mine to carry small essentials inside a larger tote. If you only carry a few items, such as a credit card, lipstick and keys (and maybe for a condom for planned or unanticipated, romance) it’s a perfect party bag. It would also make a memorable way to package a smaller gift (maybe a piece of Valentine’s Day jewelry?). There are so many color choices, or classic multi, to choose from. But I think the bright red is SO Valentine’s Day ready!
Nahui Ollin can festoon you in her trademark, woven “fabircs” from headbands to belts, bracelets to totes of all sizes. Prices are under $15.00 for a single woven strand bracelet, and the coin purse is just $20.00 Not Bad! They are so distinctive!
Nahui Ollin is sold in fine boutiques, and you can also visit their website
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