São Paulo – Handbag maker 1001 Retalhos was born small, in the company owner’s laundry, but is dreaming high. With just five years in existence, the factory in Atibaia, in the interior of São Paulo, already exports to 10 countries, most in Europe, and has started contacts with an importer in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.
"The Arab businessman visited our stand at Couromoda in January this year. He liked our handbags very much and took six samples. We are awaiting new contact to see what the business becomes," said Ana Paula Felippe, one of the owners of 1001 Retalhos and the daughter of Evani Ribeiro, whose brainchild the brand is. "We already know that exports require great patience, that negotiations are slow. Our client in Japan, for example, took eight months to order the first samples," she says.
The businesswoman said she has noticed a change in profile of the foreign visitors coming to Couromoda. "In this year’s edition we received importers from distant countries like the Emirates, Turkey and Korea, which we usually only see at fairs in Europe. This shows that they are really interested in Brazilian products," she said.
The company target is to increase the export volume from 20% to 50% in two years. "We are therefore seeking new markets, like the Arab countries, and are getting ready to increase production in the near future," she said.
One of the company strategies to expand its presence abroad is participation in fairs like Prêt-à-Porter, which takes place twice a year in Paris.
Brazil
According to Ana Paula, it is no surprise that 1001 Retalhos handbags are successful in England, France, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Greece, Australia, Japan, Uruguay and the United States. "Our handbags are made out of 100% Brazilian products. They have the face of Brazil. No button is imported. Our mission is to generate jobs and income in the country," she says.
The company works with natural fabrics like silk, linen and cotton. The use of handicraft is through several techniques, like embroidery and crochet. Our objective is to rescue techniques that are being lost. We appreciate Brazilian culture and handicraft, which are admired worldwide," said Ana Paula.
The businesswoman also shows ecological concern on working with 100% recycled material produced from pet bottle threads and the offcuts of garment and fabric producers.
While Ana Paula runs the administrative and financial part of the company and follows through with the expansion plans, company founder Evani is still responsible for the 1001 Retalhos production and for the training of artisans. Apart from that, she still finds time to teach the patchwork technique to impoverished communities and at the Centre for Ressocialization of Prisoners in Atibaia, where a group of 10 prisoners is collaborating, making hangers, handles and key rings.
Nowadays, 1001 Retalhos produces around 1,000 handbags a month in a warehouse of 400 square metres. The company employs 31 people and guarantees fixed income to over 50 artisans in the region. The price of each handbag for end consumers is between 500 and 600 Brazilian reals (US$ 225 and US$ 270).
Award
1001 Retalhos was elected as one of the Top 100 in Brazilian Handicraft, an award granted by the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service (Sebrae), which also considered it one of the 100 best production units in the country in 2008. The brand launches two collections a year. There are currently four active themes: Trees of Brazil, Women from Brazil, Watercolours and Roses. The products are made out of canvas, on which the patchwork is applied.
In the Trees of Brazil collection, the aim is also to show Brazilian trees that are threatened with extinction, like Brazilwood, Rosewood and Jequitiba. The handbags are sold with a seed of the trees.
Contacts
Telephone: (+55 11) 4411.2425
E-mail: comercial@1001retalhos.com.br
Site: www.1001retalhos.com.br
*Translated by Mark Ament
