What is a RitzLux Woven Handbag?

Made by Hand

Every RitzLux woven purse was made by a team of skilled Filipino artisans working in their own home or shop.  Our bags are woven from abaca fibers and the wooden handles are hand carved from Philippine mahogany.  The indigenous peoples were growing and working with abaca when Ferdinand Magellan came to the Philippines in 1521.  The skills of working with abaca to fashion woven handbags and other items have been passed down through the generations to the present.  Your RitzLuxe bag was carefully hand-crafted by artisans in the Philippines.

Distinctive

When you go to a party or meet friends, your RitzLuxe woven handbag stands out as unique.  This is not another name designer bag.  With its unusual large, round Philippine mahogany handles and eye-catching design or painting, the RitzLuxe bag turns heads in a crowd.  You are sure to be asked about your bag.  And, when they ask, please send them to RitzLuxe.com.  Or, you can smile mysteriously and keep it a secret.

High Quality and Durable

Your RitzLuxe woven purse is strong and durable.  For centuries, until nylon was invented in the 1940’s, abaca was the fiber of choice for ropes, particularly for ropes on ocean going sailing ships.  Abaca fibers are prized for their extremely high tensile strength, which is the strongest of any natural fiber.  Philippine mahogany – used for the handles of RitzLuxe woven purses – is a tropical hardwood tree indigenous to the Philippines.  The workmanship of the Filipino artisans making your bag is first rate.  These are strong materials and craftsmanship that will stand up to your busy, bustling day. 

Natural and Biodegradable

Your RitzLuxe woven handbag is made almost entirely of plant materials that will biodegrade and return to the ground.  You are being kind to planet earth when you purchase from RitzLuxe.   

Renewable

The abaca plant is the ultimate renewable resource.  When first planted, abaca undergoes an initial growing period and reaches maturity in 18 to 24 months.  During this initial growth, the abaca produces runners or shoots that spread out across the ground and root at each segment.  Each root sprouts a pseudo stem about six to 15 inches in diameter that can grow to ten to 20 feet high.  Abaca is harvested by cutting off the stems close to the ground but leaving enough for future growth.  The runners and underground roots remain intact after harvesting.  The roots generate new growth shoots that are ready to be harvested again in three to eight months.  Abaca regularly renews itself, with harvesting and re-growth every three to eight months. 

Cruelty-Free and Fair Labor

Animal skins are minimally used in woven RitzLuxe bags – it’s almost all plant based.  Abaca is the main material for RitzLuxe woven purses.  Abaca harvesting is done by hand and has not changed much over the centuries.  The bags are hand-crafted;  animals are not used in the production of RitzLuxe bags.  The Filipino artisans work in their own home or in their own collective shop and are paid legal wages.  You are supporting a cruelty-free and fair labor operation when you purchase from RitzLuxe.