Using indigenous materials for stylish and sustainable bags, this social enterprise delights the customer while empowering the community.

by Noreen Bautista, Co-founder and CEO of Jacinto & Lirio

Our name is Spanish for "Hyacinth and Lily" because what propelled our existence was the water hyacinth, or "water lily". Our first collection was a collaboration with the world-famous Filipino bag designer, Cora Jacobs who herself had a strong vision to merge fashion and nation building. This project got us involved with Gawad Kalinga Center for Social Innovation and the women from the Cora Cares Foundation which seeks to uplift women's lives through world class bagmaking.

Our story. Back in 2009, we met innovators who introduced what they called water hyacinth leather -- the plant's stalks turned into a leather-like material. It's inspiring to know that we can create amazing Filipino innovations and we were driven to show these products to the world.

Our mission. It goes beyond the world of fashion. We are the flagship of the social enterprise EcoIngenuity Inc., which aims to raise the competitiveness of indigenous materials and the communities that produce them through global design brands. Many of these communities still live in poverty, and we believe by creating this market vehicle, we are empowering them with development opportunities and helping build our nation.

Wowing Women

Our latest collection, Unica (unique)

We use indigenous materials in handmade bags geared towards the modern career woman. She is a new kind of woman – unique and beautiful, but her beauty goes beyond what we see. In fact, despite the glamour that seems to surround her, she is actually proactive in making a difference in her own way.

Celebrities like Sarah Meier and Cristalle Belo Henares are proud J&L users. The bags even won the hearts of the European market, especially as they make great conversation pieces at parties! Sure, they may be flaunting their luxury bags made of genuine leather, but how many of them can say they have a bag with plant leather?

Bags start at P4800. For more info, call 0917-3027278 / (02) 586-8851 or visit www.jacintoandlirio.com