I cannot wait for Eat, Pray, Love to come out in theaters! Could there be a better combo than Javier Bardem and Julia Roberts? After seeing the duo on Oprah to promote the August 13 release of the film, I think not! You can see the trailer for the film which is based on Elizabeth Gilbert’s bestseller by clicking here. Throughout the movie Julia Robert carries around one-of-a kind hobo bags from Rising Tide ($140). Each bag is made by artisans in developing countries who earn a fair wage (about 60% more than they would for comparable factory jobs). Further most of the artisans can opt to work from home, allowing them to take care of their families while still earning money. Each Rising Tide Fair Trade product is fair trade, Co-Op America approved, and according to their website a percentage of profits are donated to philanthropic programs that educate and equip under served young women with the skills needed to secure employment or start a business.
There are endless textile prints to choose from. These bags aren’t really my style for my day-to-day NYC life, but I’m going to be traveling to India in December for a wedding and can totally see this being perfect for that trip! I was able to check-out the bags at a beauty event recently (more on that in July on Beauty Snob!), and they’re well-crafted with a round suede base, straps and piping, artisan made brass hardware, and a magnetic snap. I only wish they zipped to make them safer for travel.
They’re such cute bags!
Fair Trade Goods are increasingly popular in Westernised societies because there is increasing awareness that we in the West are able to help those less fortunate than ourselves. Unfortunatlely, the global recession has led to people watching there purse strings a little more and fair trade has suffered as a result.