Yako Reyes’ Baggets are, without a doubt, New World must-haves – or at least must consider.
Photography by Derf Palileo; Photos courtesy of Yako Reyes
Imagine being able to charge your mobile phone, MP3 player, digital camera, and even your game console right inside your bag. Reality has given flesh to the imagination, with Reyes’ line Solaris, consisting of bags made from recycled gasoline filters made into synthetic leather while incorporating solar panels of up to four watts in the designs.
“Since the world (fashion included) underscores the importance of environment conservation,” said the IT professor (and now cum designer) in an earlier interview to the Gen G Magazine.
However, instead of simply making use of eco fabrics, integrated into the design is technology – and green technology, for that matter.
“I incorporated green technology in my bag designs – a decision triggered by the rising costs of electricity and energy sources, and since there are no solar bags in the Philippines (or at least made in the Philippines), I’ve decided to offer such, thus making the first Philippine made solar bags,” Reyes said.
Selling from P500, Baggets can be customized to fit clients’ demands, too.
“I can customize the designs of the bags according to the clients’ preferences, whether their materials, designs, colors, sizes, et cetera,” Reyes said.
There continue to remain numerous challenges for Reyes, of course – and dominant among these challenges is the continuing ignoring of many of alternatives to products in the mainstream (and often, many of them not even environmentally friendly).
This is, all the same, considered by Reyes as a challenge – not just a hindrance.
As he faces a “still low market acceptance, with many ignoring the long term good the (concept of solar bags carry),” Reyes remains hopeful that the “awareness of Filipinos will increase,” he said.
“I hope to help (widen the knowledge of Filipinos) that green technology can be employed in everything,” Reyes ended.
The bags are available at APARADOR, 2/f Market Market Fashion Village; BACKSTAGE, 2/f Serendra Piazza, McKinley Parkway, Fort Bonifacio Global City Taguig; FA! CHIC PICK Store, 3rd Level University Mall, Taft Avenue (beside DLSU); BORACAY BREEZE, Shop Station 1, Island of Boracay; DE QUINTOS Island Shop, Station 2, Island of Boracay; and Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3.
For orders and inquiries, buybaggets@yahoo.com; or visit www.baggets.tk.
