This Filipino Maker Turns Paper Bags Into Luxury-Inspired Pieces
Here's how to get your hands on these pieces.
While having the dream designer bag is one thing, alongside it comes a piece that can often be left neglected—the paper bag.
The 29-year-old Filipino artist Miko Aya Currimao seeks to remedy this by repurposing paper bags into handmade bags that resemble designer pieces. Echoing the silhouettes of signature pieces like the Dior Saddle, Hermès Kelly and Birkin, and the Louis Vuitton Pochette Métis, Miko’s creations for his brand Simple and Grand are a more accessible spin on signature items while remaining sustainable.
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Check out how this Filipino brand turns paper bags into luxury-inspired pieces:
According to Miko, his venture into repurposing bags began during the pandemic when he could not find a typical 9-to5. “I had a nice paper bag, and I felt regretful about using it only for a few times before it would get damaged. I thought of what I could do to extend its lifespan and use it as a fashionable bag,” he tells Preview.
The artist, who hails from Morong, Rizal, previously enrolled in a dress-making course at the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) but leaned towards bag-making instead. To create one of his customized pieces, he first draws a rough sketch, then begins to canvas materials online, including leather, vinyl, and the bag’s hardware.
Once that’s done, he creates a template for the structural design and manually cuts the material where the leather would be stitched. Of all that he’s recreated so far, Miko dubs the Mini Kelly-inspired piece as one of his favorites. “I feel that it gives off strong Heart Evangelista and Anna Magkawas vibes,” he says.
Simple and Grand’s pieces aren’t readily for sale, as they’re all commissioned and personalized. Clients can send them their paper bags and indicate their desired design. “The cost, on the other hand, depends on the design and size they prefer.”
To order your own or for more information, visit Simple and Grand's Facebook page.
Also read: The Pinay Teen Mocked for Her Luxury Bag on TikTok: A Short History