Local Brand Macopa Gives Flour Sacks New Life as Unique, Wearable Pieces

(SPOT.ph) As kids, we've always heard the question: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Some say doctor, teacher, a princess, or a superhero (or both, at the same time). But ever since she was little, Chynna Sta. Ines always knew she wanted to be a business owner, like her mom, who is an entrepreneur herself. She wanted to start a business that promotes sustainability. And so, fresh out of college and also well into discovering her personal style, Sta. Ines started the slow fashion brand Macopa.

Macopa is best known for being one of the brands changing the way we see flour sacks or katsa. Gone are the days when they were just pieces of cotton canvas cloths that contained fine powder we use for cooking; the process of upcycling has given these overlooked textiles a new life as cool, wearable items. Now, the logos we usually see in supermarkets (Cinderella, Mt. Makiling, Wooden Spoon, to name a few) bring charm and personality to Macopa's lineup of tops—from full-sized to cropped and half-polos, dresses, and even bags and accessories—making them not just good for the environment, but also one-of-a-kind.

Also read: How This Marikina-Based Brand Pockets Comfort and Style in Every Pair

Starting a business is easier said than done, and building a slow, sustainable brand has its fair share of challenges. Sta. Ines, for her part, spent a lot of time looking for ways to recycle things that were at the end of their lifecycles. She dipped her toes into the topics of bioplastics, food waste, and a lot more in her search for the brand's core. Until one day, she stumbled upon a post on social media.

"It was about mothers during the Great Depression in the U.S. using flour sacks to make clothes for their children. Once I saw this, I wondered if we had any flour sacks that were similar," she shared in an interview with SPOT.ph. In the past, flour sack fashion was born out of necessity; with the lack of money and resources at the time, mothers (especially those in the rural areas) had to make do with plain cotton flour sacks and turn them into clothing pieces, and even diapers and curtains. It has since taken the modern fashion scene by storm through its zero-waste appeal, environmental consciousness, and even nostalgic sensibility.

The brand's name, Macopa, comes from Sta. Ines' favorite fruit. It's commonly known as the wax apple, Java apple, or rose apple to some. "We used to have a Macopa tree in my childhood home and I grew up eating it whenever they were in season," Sta. Ines shared.

"It’s a local fruit that I don’t really hear a lot of people my age talk about, and I feel like that’s a good parallel with the flour sacks we use—something people don’t talk about enough but really should. Naming the business Macopa feels like my way of bringing both of those things into the conversation."

For her first samples, she managed to find used katsa online. "The original sack designs made the prototypes so fun and colorful in a distinctly Pinoy way," she shared.

Then, and even until now, Sta. Ines sources the fabric from local bakeries, to "both reduce the waste they were producing by upcycling the sacks and providing them with additional source of revenue". It was a win-win situation, with their loyal customers coming out on top.

Macopa's collection is a reflection of Sta. Ines' personal style and preferences. "I was really, and still am into, oversized polos so that's why those were my first products, and why I keep trying to create variations on the polos," she shared. Currently, Macopa is teeming with streetwear and utility options, from vests to cargo pants, shorts, et cetera, combined with the uniqueness of the katsa designs.

"Macopa and I are constantly growing in our style, and I’m excited for how our look will change throughout the years."

There are a lot of things to look forward to about Macopa. And by that, we mean more collections and collaborations. They're also on the hunt for more materials to upcycle, like coffee sacks, which can be seen through their new Bom Coffee Sack Jacket, and, for one of their recently launched collections, upcycled jeans.

If you always find yourself carrying more than your hands can handle, the Merchant Moe's Utility Vest can help free them of all your trinkets through its pockets. You can forget bringing a bag–this vest, which you can layer or wear as is if you're bold enough in this cold weather, has eight small pockets with velcro closures, three medium pockets (one with velcro closure and the other two with zippers), two large front pockets with zippers, and last but not least, one large back pocket with a zipper. It's like a running vest but made for the spare change and daily grind.

Macopa's lineup of Denim Haffle Polos is part of their Basque Denim collection, which includes pieces that are made with flour sacks and upcycled denim jeans. The Haffle Cropped Polo version has a special spot in Sta. Ines' heart, as it’s the first piece she ever made. This top combines the denim and flour sacks perfectly through the paneling, breast pockets, pointed collar, and even in the four contrast buttons.

High-waisted trousers are the no-brainer pairing to a cropped polo, and if you have too many cropped polos in your wardrobe, Macopa's Cargo Pants will give the pop of fun your wardrobe needs. These high-waist bottoms have a gartered waistband for that snug and comfortable fit, plus the stretch should you be hitting the buffet all of a sudden. These cargo pants also have eight pockets, so there's no need for a bag. The bestselling colorways are blue, green, and pink.

We're always looking out for you and your wallet (even if you find that hard to believe); striking the balance between fashion and practicality. This reversible Bucket Hat from Macopa hits both, and only for P800. You can get two hat designs for the price of one with this piece. The weather doesn't matter—with headgear like this, cool style is always in the forecast.

One of Chynna's Macopa favorites is the Merchant Moe's Large Tote, and honestly, we get it. You can fit everything in here; it’s perfect for those who can't go out without bringing the whole house with them. The interior has more than enough room, thanks to the expandable rectangular bottom. Inside, there's a large pocket for more trinkets. You can find another large pocket outside, too.

Macopa is available online through their website. For more information and updates, check out Macopa's Facebook and Instagram pages.

Also read:
10 Shops That Breathe New Life Into Used Fabrics

This Chic Puffer Bag Made from Upcycled Flour Sacks Is Less Than P1,000