Real Deal is an awesome family-run company that makes hats and bags out of recycled canvas tarps once used on cross-country cargo trucks for hauling open freight across Brazil.
Their products are all handmade in equatorial Brazil by local villagers and each hat or bag is truly one-of-a-kind, featuring the unique variations of these recycled canvas tarps. Each piece is crafted from various colors of tarp, and they may have patches, seams, holes, or even Portuguese writing.
You can order your own hat to your specifications here for $29.99 plus shipping, but I’m personally a fan of the bags. Duffles, totes, backpacks, they’ve got it covered. I really like their messenger bag:
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
I love the hats and bags! I make tons of stuff for my house out of tarps. They’re good for table cloths, pillows and curtains!
Amanda, aren’t they great? I’ve made a couple of outfits out of recycled blue roof tarp, post-Hurricane Katrina, but I haven’t done anything with this kind of canvas tarp yet. It seems like it would be a great material to work with. I’d love to use it for some handmade banners!
Kia Ora from New Zealand, I am very passionate about recycled products and feel inspired that when we see a creative product that we should not feel intimidated to share with others. Its the only way to help our planet…the world is a big place and your bit and mine make a difference. Thank you for your innovative idea keep up the inspiring work…malo soifua
Is there anywhere in New Zealand that I can buy one of these Brazilian patch hats please? If I could buy one from you what would the postage cost?
Thank you,
rosie
Rosaleen, I would try contacting the Real Deal people directly… http://realdealbrazil.com/contact.asp
I don’t see any information listed on their website about shipping to New Zealand, but I bet they would.