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Five friends, all BS Management students at the Ateneo de Manila University, are the brains behind Zigzaggen, a ladies’ handbag made of—surprise, surprise—newspapers.
It started out as a school project for Geline Chua Caedo, Richard Lim, Twinky Valeriano, Rachel Sy, and Angel Talastas—all in their twenties—who pooled together their ideas and P20,000 capital to start the business in October 2007.
The brand name took a lot of thinking. “We wanted to give our bag a unique and interesting name,” relates Caedo. “We searched for different names and translated them into different languages, and that’s how we came up with Zigzaggen.”
It’s the fitting name indeed, as Zigzaggen is Dutch for “to weave,” which is how the bag is made.
Eco-friendly bag
The bag’s exterior is made of woven strips of old newspapers, with a cloth lining sewn on the inside. The handles are made of synthetic leather.
The first batch of Zigzaggen bags were simple designs with no pockets and zippers. In the succeeding batches, the group was able to integrate pockets and flaps as well as zippers and magnetic buttons.
“We really did a lot of research to ensure the bag’s functionality and durability,” Caedo says.
To ensure that the paper weaving does not disintegrate, it is finished with a special coating to make it water-resistant. Still, care must be taken not to expose the bag too long to water.
Streamlined production
Because the bag is made mainly of recycled newspapers collected from their homes and from relatives and friends, the group is able to minimize overhead costs.
They tap a community of underprivileged people to weave the banig (mat), paying workers per piece. Assembly is subcontracted to another group.
The bags are mainly sold online through over social-networking site Multiply, although the group also does consignment and participates in bazaars to sell more.
Zigzaggen bags in small and large sizes and in 11 designs, including V-striped, H-stiped, Flat, Boat, Bob, Vee. Models come in 11 colors.
The group is looking into the possibility of expanding its line to include clutch bags, wallets, and purses.
View Zigzaggen bags on Multiply
For orders, e-mail zigzaggen@yahoo.com or contact +63 917 7932295 and +63 917 5377401.
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All Things Brown and Beautiful
[...] Green Atenistas [...]
why green? I don’t get it! I am an Atenean and I bleed blue.
@Denver: Green refers to these Ateneans’ being eco-friendly. ;p
I see. Thanks Karla for the information…didn’t know that…oh. yeah…ateneans are eco-friendly indeed…better yet..lol..green minded (read: thinking to maintain the green in nature)…tnx again Karla..
I find it really nice that you reply and comment back…it makes me feel welcomed…such gesture is very Filipino…we make pahalag talaga…
have a great day! :)
Hi Karla, so nice bags you have made. Can you please write a ‘how to make yourself’ page?
@Patnaik: Thanks for visiting. The bags are made by a group of Ateneans under the Zigzaggen brand. You can visit their Multiply page, which is listed at the bottom of the article.
Am not sure they’d like to share how these bags are made, but I’ll try and ask ;)
These bags are very cool. I launched a site this week all about making bags from newspaper – The Newspaper bag Project www.newspaperbagproject.com – though my design is a little less intricate, it’s probably more do-able for the rest of us!
Wiri likeite your comment here…i like your bag its nice and beautiful. iwant to make my own design. do you have an org. or someone you know can i contact to make an arangement to teach me how to make bag out of news paper?pls help me kc paramay magawa me dito sa bahay pls help me ok thank you and more power.
@Oyette, we suggest that you get in touch with the Zigzaggen girls. Their numbers are +63 917 7932295 and +63 917 5377401.
I would like to ask what chemical did you use in waterproofing your bags as well as making it hard and durable?
hi this is anna?
can you send me some picture of branded ladies bag and wallets and also i need the price list please im badly need this for my business..i really needs this asap thanks and god bless
and also give me all the price yung mura lang po hindi gaano expensive please
hi to ronan who posted the comment…mind asking if u do sell newspaper bags? im planning to order in hundreds.kindly text me at 09084816870 or email me at malou26oj@yahoo.com
big thanks
wat special coating do u used?i have a doubt on the durability of your product