Stepping inside Tanora in Sydney’s eastern suburbs reveals a treasure trove of beautifully handcrafted raffia handbags of various size and design including exquisite lace-like items of sheer beauty. Artistry is most definitely on display in this oasis from mass-produced consumerism including the gorgeous floor mats that could well hang on a wall as a much-admired art statement. Cute beach-inspired sun hats are the perfect beach accessory for the fashion and sun conscious woman. Did I mention the affordable prices – most definitely unexpected in this part of town.
Tanora, meaning ‘youth’ in Madagascan, is an Australian brand of refined, beach-inspired eco-friendly raffia accessories. The label’s vision emerged during a road trip down Victoria’s Great Ocean Road in 2014 where designers Manon and Will reimagined the handicrafts of their mother country and family raffia workshops in products suited to the beach-loving Australian lifestyle. Tanora is now an internationally recognised collection of bags and accessories, the range extending to homewares in 2019, and keeping Madagascar’s raffia and handicraft industries thriving.
Today, Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world. Tanora commits to an on-going effort to make sure that employees in their workshop in Madagascar are well-respected, fairly paid and over the age of 18. The weaving and crocheting of raffia are part of the traditional Madagascan handicraft culture. These ancestral techniques utilising traditional looms have become increasingly rare in the face of globalisation, as it has become cheaper to outsource and mass-produce products through modern machinery. An integral part of Tanora’s mission is to maintain the human side and artistry of a craft native to Madagascar.
Raffia is one of the most sustainable materials in the fashion industry. The cultivation of raffia involves only the careful hand-pruning (rather than cutting) of the raffia palm; that way, the footprint on the environment remains as minimal as possible. The team at Tanora are planting partners with the Eden Projects which means that for each item sold ten trees are planted.
I love everything about Tanora – it is as simple as that!
Tanora
76 Queen Street, Woollahra
Open: 7 days from 10am to 5pm
For more information visit: www.tanora.com.au
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