Product development for banana fiber fashion

Photo courtesy of Musa Fabric
Photo courtesy of Musa Fabric

PRODUCT development is equal to more choices in fashion.

The continuous product development activities of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) has resulted in the expansion of products by an entrepreneur in Davao del Norte.

The Musa Fabric has been maximizing the use of banana fiber in creating different wearables. In fact, it has even produced face masks out of the sustainable raw material which the province is known for.

Following the conduct of another series of training activities, the Tagum City-based business has started offering new products. During the most recent training in July, at least 10 prototypes were introduced.

According to The Musa Fabric’s Joy Soo, it was the agency that suggested the bag-making training. The said product development highlighted the Musa La Bolsa, a collection that features eight designs, including the Bolsa de Señorita, Bolsa de Chiquita, Bolsa de Cardava and Bolsa de Morado. These have been inspired by the different varieties of banana and the old Chiquita brand.

With the new product line, several seamstresses from the tribal group and the Muslim community in the province have been given a livelihood opportunity. They have been tapped to help in the production of the banana fabric-made fashion pieces.

In an interview, Soo shared that producing banana fiber bags is more complicated compared to making face masks, bandanas and clothes. Thus, it is important that the people involved are well-trained.

Apart from bags, The Musa Fabric has also come up with a product line for another market segment – children. It is likewise an advocacy that supports the young ones.

“The Musa Doll is dedicated to the children of Indigenous Ata Manobo Tribe in Talaingod, the children of our Musa weavers in Talaingod. It wears the Musa Fabric and is a symbol of youth full of dreams. It is the darling of the crowd that brings joy to everyone,” Soo said.

For every doll sold, 20 percent of the sales will go to the chosen beneficiaries.

In a message for her fellow designers and entrepreneurs, Soo emphasized on the 4Ps - product, price, place and promotion.

“With a product, we should consider what the customer needs instead of what we want to sell to them. But I would like to add another P, which is passion. For me, if you produce a product out of passion and coupled with advocacy to help and make a difference in our customer's lives, just like the story behind the Musa Fabric, God will always make it a sustainable endeavor,” she said.

Kudos to The Musa Fabric!

***

If you have special events and fashion tips to share, or just want to discuss any fashion-related concerns with me, you are always free to reach me at mendoza.jennygrace@gmail.com.

Trending

No stories found.

Just in

No stories found.

Branded Content

No stories found.
SunStar Publishing Inc.
www.sunstar.com.ph