Nahui Ollin: Redefining Candy Wrapper Handbags

Did you ever collect gum wrappers then weave them into thin necklaces or long strands? Chances are that if you are between the ages of 22 and 70 you did. And if you did, you will probably adore the Nahui Ollin hand bag collection.

Making ingenious use out of landfill-headed candy wrappers (e.g. factory misprints), Nahui Ollin artfully blends Mayan weaving techniques with modern handbag style to create some of the most stunning handbags on the market today. Who needs leather or snakeskin when you can have a bag that is just as shiny, soft and chic, that actually benefits Mother Nature rather than diminishes her precious resources?

Buzz Around Town
At Jute & Jackfruit’s launch at Arlington Town Day, we were delightfully startled by how many women came up to our booth and oohed and aahed over the bags. Women ages 6 to 70 seemed to be magically drawn to the bags – with the bright colors and intricate weaving patterns. Many reminisced about their own childhood weaving – but quickly noted too, that they never got nearly as far as making a complete handbag!

Unlike the school girl activity, Nahui bags take between 1 and 5 days to make and use anywhere from 150 to 4,000 candy wrappers. In addition, Nahui Ollin supports marginalized indigenous Mayan communities in Mexico by providing them opportunities to weave these bags and thereby preserve their traditional weaving art forms and culture.

The stunning, one-of-a-kind bags are easily dressed up or down, used for any occasion and draw crowds and conversations wherever they are worn. A great way to make a difference on the environment and people through the marketplace.

What about the name?
Nahui Ollin, is the name of a famous Mexican artist known for environmental conservation, and an inspiration for Olga Abadi (lead designer for Nahui Ollin). Respect and admiration for the environment and people are core concepts in the Nahui Ollin collection.

How many styles and colors?
The bags range from the smallest ‘Itsy Bitsy’ (very popular) to the Moonlite Clutch, Gran Ball and eco-chic ‘Ritual with Buckle.’ Below is the Gran Ball, Itsy Bitsy and Camera Bag all in Purple.

The Tutti Frutti ER Bag (featured below) is truly remarkable piece of art you could practically put it in a museum (in fact I think it might be in some!). It’s made with 4,000 wrappers and takes at least 4 days to make.

Each Nahui bag is offered in a wide array of colors from “Tutti Frutti” (mixture of colors) to pure black, chocolate brown, silver, gold, pink, bar codes, and more. There is definitely a bag for every woman in this collection.

In the Press
Nahui Ollin has been getting what they deserve through recognition from some major media and magazines, such as Lucky, Seventeen, USA Today, Elle, Nylon, Women’s Health, Ok! And many more..not to mention the hype it is getting in celebrity fashion!