In 2008 a chance encounter between fisherman Ali Lamu and traveling photographer Daniela Bateleur in an island off the coast of Africa led to love and a thriving handbag business.
Ali came to Daniela looking for employment. She didn’t have any work for him, but she told him she was looking for an old Indian dhow sail. Ali set off in search of the sail that Daniela saw “as a piece of art designed by the wind, the salt of the sea water, the sun, the rain, and years of traveling over the ocean.” On his return the pair set about painting the nautical canvas, which they later turned into a set of weekender bags.
Today Ali and Daniela are married and still making sustainable handbags from recycled sails. They now employ around two dozen local fisherman who help meet the demand for Ali Lamu purses. In turn money goes back to these local fisherman, and the small community of Lamu Island.
Most of us probably don’t have a trip planned to the tiny African island, so it’s exciting to see we can also purchase the weekenders for $250 from the Ashe Collection website. Can you imagine carrying one on your next getaway?
Recycled Sails Bags on eBay
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