The field on your shoulders
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A small store at Chatuchak weekend market offers bags made from recycled rice sacks
Tucked away among Chatuchak Weekend Market’s souvenir stalls, Deerich’s colourful bags fashioned out of used rice sacks and leftover fabrics never fail to catch the eye.
Thitima Chimmanee runs the shop along with her nieces. She used to help her older sister manage a large souvenir shop in town but decided she wanted to downscale and do something for herself.
Looking for ways to help save the environment, she opted for recycling, rounding up her nieces and their friends and transforming used rice sacks into fashionable bags.
They founded their Deerich label in 2008 and took their first collection along to the Bangkok International Gift and Houseware Fairs, earning praise and orders from European buyers.
“Everyone was becoming conscious about global warming and wanting to buy eco-friendly products so it made sense to develop fabric bags from recycled materials.”
The concept is based on simple design, functionality, durability and reasonable price. They use rice sacks, fertiliser bags and flour bags in both plastic and paper as their main materials, sourcing them from groceries and factories.
“We pay attention to good cutting and durability. All our bags are handmade and padded with fabric inside so buys are assured of quality and cleanness. Some designs are mixed with canvas or denim for durability,” Thitima says.
Deerich offers a selection of shoulder bags, handbags, shopping bags, laptop cases, wallets, coin purses and CD holders. If you have a sketch of something you’d like made up, the shop also idea accepts a custom orders.
COLOURFUL CREATIONS
Deerich is located in Chatuchak Weekend Market, Room 285, Soi 3/5. It’s open Saturday and Sunday from 8am to 6pm. Call (081) 483 8675, (089) 774 2400 or visit www.Deerich.com.
