Calabash Tote by Mad Imports
A socially and environmentally responsible company, Mad Imports markets handmade fashion accessories from Madagascar and Kenya. Their eclectic accessories blend the traditional and contemporary design ideas of their international design team who incorporates renewable raw materials to create vivid and original clutches, totes and shoulder bags.
Launched in 2003 as an outgrowth of a Madagascar-based development project started by Laurel Brandstetter’s relative, Mad Imports enables families to gain economic independence and promotes environmental conservation through the sale of their products. With Laurel’s background in community development, urban planning and volunteer public health work, she realized an opportunity to reduce poverty and improve the quality of life in local communities through the sale of handmade products.
In 2004, New York based designer, Jamila Hubbard, joined Mad Imports as a fashion designer and marketing associate. She studied fashion design at FIDM in San Francisco and FIT in New York. Previously, Jamila worked in Diane Von Furstenberg’s design house and as a designer and rep for Milford Design Studio. Jamila has since worked as Mad Imports’ lead designer, collaborating with Malagasy artisans to create innovative collections.
Mad Imports’ products have been featured in several fashion publications including O, Domino, Lucky, Glamour, Cottage Living and in TV spots including E! News and the CBS early show. Mad Imports currently retails products through its online store and wholesales products to boutiques and specialty stores around the world.
We received the Calabash Tote from the Nairobi Collection. It is hand woven and dyed by Kenyan women using bark from the baobab tree. The tote is trimmed with embossed leather and has a leather flap closure. It measures 16” x 17″ with double leather straps that drop 17″. Its earthy colors come from the natural dyes used to create it. It retails for $95.
This is the second piece we have reviewed from Mad Imports. Our first review was in 2007, the Gigi Clutch in Ocean. As with the first review, this one receives high marks as well – the highest in fact. The tote is a chic, yet functional everyday bag with an exotic, bohemian flavor. It’s the perfect accessory for the stylish, on-the-go girl who dresses to the beat of her own drums.
The earthy colors provide a neutral undertone with a bang. The colors are vivid yet muted, absolutely gorgeous. It’s fabulous for fall although the warmer months would be perfect to tote this baby around as well.
The interior is not lined and has no pockets whatsoever, but it can carry an enormous amount of stuff. I carry a bunch of junk but this tote surprisingly has room for more! Apart from the gorgeous look, the feature I love the most about this bag is the number of ways in which you can carry it.
With the double straps, it’s a shoulder bag. Using the handle by the flap closure, it’s a hand bag. If I turn the double strap into a single strap, it’s a messenger bag. Pretty cool design if you ask me.
The best way to wear the bag hands down is with a dark pair of jeans like this Kasandra bootcut stretch jeans by Rock & Republic and a motocross crop leather jacket. Hippie chic!
As a socially responsible company, Mad Imports invests in several development efforts such as the funding of the education of the children of their weaver partners. They also work closely with the Akany Avoko orphanage to provide educational materials and support for special projects. Additionally, they developed a partnership with a community of women in Kenya, supporting their micro-enterprise and funding community development projects.
With the economy the way it is, shopping is probably not at the top of everyone’s list. But with a company like Mad Imports, it should be because through them, you end up helping those who are truly in need.
Related posts:
- Gigi Clutch from Mad Imports
- ‘Wisdom’ Medium Tote Bag by Jumeau
- Polka Dot Pistachio Leisure Tote by JP Lizzy
- MI Bag by Track+Field
- Passport Please by Beijo