A passionate designer with a heart for the environment comes up with a brilliant concept of an eco-friendly, stylish tote.
Forget the It bag; there’s a new bag in town that’s taking a step toward environmental-consciousness and making a fashion statement at the same time.
Inspired by the global “Bring Your Own Bag” campaign, TARPA is the brainchild of Peter Noah Sam, a designer who runs his own design firm.
Marrying his love for designing with a passion for conservation, Sam decided to create bags made from recycled materials; hence, the birth of TARPA, which Sam calls “communication art.”
Taken from the phrase—Totes Are Real People Accessories—the TARPA totes are meant to match the characteristics of the carriers’ personality.
Each and every bag from TARPA goes through a unique production process and is made from PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride), recycled from items like PVC banners or banner mesh that have been taken down from display on various commercial buildings. The banners are cut, washed and sewn together, to form the one-of-a-kind bags that characterize TARPA.
A limited edition series of TARPA totes known as the Cordura Army Camouflage Series is manufactured using hardy, abrasion-resistant and water-repellent army-approved material obtained from the German, Swedish, Danish and Middle-Eastern armies. The prints are obtained from a reputable supplier who shares Sam’s recycling vision. They are controlled and extremely hard to obtain (released only when the armies have them in excess and even then, only to certain vendors). Hence, this limited edition is subject to seasonal availability.
TARPA, which prides itself on its quality, uniqueness and functionality, has plans in the pipeline to expand its range to include smaller bags, utility bags, and wallets in the near future. Having established its niche in the market for tote bags, TARPA is also looking to progress with a new range of the humble yet much-loved tote. “Like the evolution of a chair,” Sam says, “a chair will always be a chair, but look at the numerous designs that came out (of) that fixed shape.”
TARPA’s task will be to creatively apply that same concept to the creation of a tote, and cater to the ever-changing tastes and preferences of the market.
Keeping its design simple, the totes TARPA offers has one big pocket to hold everything one may wish to put inside, instead of numerous smaller compartments. “(It) may be chaotic inside … but so often, a good idea comes out from that randomness. Think Apple, the Macintosh, Herman Miller, Charles Eames and so on,” urges Sam.
According to Sam, the designers at TARPA inject time and effort into the ideation process of the tote, thereby producing unique and top-notch products. “When you buy a unique item, you’re investing in its uniqueness,” Sam states, “No two bags are alike as every print is taken in segments from a single piece of a printed banner.”
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| PHOTOS COURTESY OF TARPA | |
