Tote fashion goes green

By Chen Nan (China Daily)
Updated: 2008-06-11 09:47

A variety of eco bags promoted at a Beijing shop.

"People of different ages love the bags because they are light, simple and convenient," says one of the shop's workers Chen Weimi.

"To reduce waste and conserve resources, we encourage our consumers to use 'My Bag'," says the store's manager Akita Toru.

Other well-known international brands are also striving to set the eco trend in Beijing. Diesel, Marc Jacobs and DKNY have also released low-priced eco bags made of organic cotton.

And, apart from the big international names, young designers based in Beijing are also working on the green bags.

"Young people in China are aware of the environment and want to do what they can to protect it, especially when it is becoming a trend," says 30-year-old designer Peng Haofeng, from Yunnan province.

Together, with two other friends, the three opened a green-themed store, Kidults, or Tong Huo in Chinese, last November on Dongsi Street. The company aims to promote the green fashion concept among the Beijing people.

According to the store's marketing manager, Gou Chenglong, many people were unaware of the eco bag concept when the store first opened last year.

"People, especially the older generation would not accept the idea because they didn't think about the simple green bag value that much. But, half a year later, more and more people here are becoming aware of the eco-bags or eco-fashion trend, especially when the government issued the ban on plastic bags at supermarkets in Beijing. It is a good start."

With handmade pictures on them, the bags look trendy and self-expressive. The bags generally contain no dyes and are known for their creative trims and decorations made from wood or bamboo.

"The price is normal and acceptable for students and office workers," says 26-year-old Zhou Fei, as she rifled through the bags at Kidults ranging from 15 yuan to 100 yuan. "I am a frequent buyer of green bags and T-shirts."

"It would be fashionable to carry beautifully designed cloth bags rather than monotonous white plastic ones down the street."

(China Daily 06/11/2008 page18)

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