We’ve all heard the expression “one person’s trash is another person’s treasure.” Local fashion designer Gurleen Rai has taken that phrase to the next level. Originally from Toronto, Canada, the New Orleans-based fashion designer, animator, and owner of slow fashion brand Zim + Teemo makes bags and purses out of discarded bicycle tires from local bike shops.
Courtesy of Zim + Teemo
“There’s something inherently true to New Orleans about this piece, because people here are resourceful,” Gurleen shared about her tire purse. “People here are able to work with the most unconventional things and turn them into something special. I feel like this had to have come out of this place.”
The juxtaposition of the rugged and sporty tires manipulated into the shape of a posh handbag is a refreshing example of upcycled fashion. Named after her childhood nickname Mousey, the Maouse minis and crossbody bags are one-of-one creations with texture and edge.
Each bag takes roughly five hours to make. Gurleen cuts, soaks, scrubs and boils the tires before punching holes into the rubber strips and using paracord to weave them together. The bags come with a removable handle also made with braided paracord. Some purse handles have the added flair of rosary and vintage beads braided into them. The Maouse bags come in a variety of colors, depending on the color of Gurleen’s tire findings (and luck).
This article appeared in Adore’s October 2024 edition
