Rags2Riches’ celebrates the 2nd Anniversary of the RIIR Designer Line
Rags2Riches celebrated the 2nd Year Anniversary of it’s RIIR Designer Line in Bonifacio High Street. Sponsored by Ayala/Fort and Starbucks, the theme of the night was Green Nation – An All-Natural Party.
As we have been reflecting on Rags2Riches’ core pillars of Community Empowerment and Fashion, it’s high-time for us now to start seriously talking as well about our Environmental advocacy. After all, from the very beginning Rags2Riches has been “upcycling” scrap cloth – thus far converting tons and tons of waste into high-end fashion bags and accessories.
Now, the convergence of these three pillars – community empowerment, fashion, and environment – forms the bedrock of a term that R2R President Reese Fernandez has coined as “Eco-Ethical”. And that’s what Rags2Riches will now stand for — “An Eco-Ethical Lifestyle”. In fact, we now have a manifesto on this.
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On another note, I myself just flew-in from Singapore after attending the Red Dot Concept Design Awards. But the overall spirit of the event was very energizing. Special kudos to Matt Pardinas, Rags2Riches’ Sales and Marketing Manager who really worked tirelessly on this event – all the way from conceptualization, design, and organizing! His efforts certainly made Green Nation a success.
Here’s looking forward to more amazing anniversaries to come! 
In the meantime, let me share some highlights of the event :
A video on the different partners-in-change that Rags2Riches has had through the years.
The Nanays of Rags2Riches all dressed up for the party
Ate Badette – Rags2Riches office manager, and Jing Ludovice who works with the communities
Rajo Laurel shares an inspirational message to the Nanays as well as the partners.
Unfortunately, Fr. Javy was in Culion so I shared Rags2Riches’ milestones of the past 2 years. As I made the presentation, I really saw that in every step of the way – the secret formula of Rags2Riches has always been working and moving alongside the Community and the Nanays. Whether it be in working out production systems and quotas, spewing out these high-fashion events, even quality control — the centerpiece of R2R continues to revolve around our community-empowering roots.
Reese Fernandez, Rags2Riches President, delivers a message of gratitude for the past 2 years and gives a glimpse of more exciting things to come from R2R.
Tita Becky Aranaz shares her experience on working with R2R, as host for the night and Board Member TJ Agulto watches on.
with Anna Castillo, Brand Manager of Cream Silk, who will be sponsoring the Rags2Riches production site as part of the brand’s advocacy on empowering women.
with Ms. Vivian Sarabia of Sarabia Optical, a new partner with whom Rags2Riches will be launching a limited edition bag
With Karen Naranjo of VMV, another new partner of Rags2Riches
New partners sign their commitment to partner with Rags2Riches
The Nanays also sign the commitment board.
RIIR Designer Amina Aranaz-Alunan with Aligs Abrera of Rags2Riches.
Here comes everybody! The growing Rags2Riches family … and continuously expanding …
