Helen E Riegle - HER Design

About HER Design
Challenge conventions. Live responsibly. Embrace style.
Our goal is to distinguish green from granola—to produce beautiful products that are stylish, functional, and eco-friendly
Background
Since we started doing business in 2004, we have been producing unique, contemporary handbags and laptop bags
made from sustainable materials.
Core campaigns
“Can a handbag save the world?” / “Great bags for a good reason” / “Honor nature and your inner princess”
As customers reflect on what makes our high-style, responsibly made handbags different to conventional ones,
the handbag becomes the gateway for more meaningful change.
Innovation
We love using novel materials and have most recently incorporated into our designs microsuede and woven polyester,
both made from 100% recycled content; Cradle to Cradle certified wool flannel; and recycled PET lining, which is made
from post-consumer soda bottles. We have also featured Treetap “wild rubber,” a sustainably made,fair-trade product
from the Amazon, as a leather substitute.
Manufacturing
We manufacture in small or family-run factories that maintain high standards for their workers and conform
to fair labor practices. The majority of the collection is made in Costa Rica. We also use factories
in Massachusetts.
Giving
The effects of human activities know no geographic boundaries. The natural resources we
consume come from all over, and the pollution we generate circulates with the wind and
water. For this reason, we seek to support causes on all seven continents in the areas of
environmental protection and awareness, animal welfare, and improving children’s lives.
We commit two percent of gross sales to these causes, and contribute numerous bags
to fundraising events across the country. Among the organizations we have supported are
local activists (HealthLink), groups with national influence (Sierra Club), and global relief
organizations (UNICEF).
We are a proud member of Co-op America’s Business Network.