November 16th, 2010

Revolutionary Zapata and Argentine buses
inspire bag collection

Ruth E. Hernández Beltrán - New York, Nov. 16 (EFE)- Legendary revolutionary Emiliano Zapata and the bright bus colors of Argentine public transportation inspired "Viva Zapata!" bag collection available in USA, Canada, Asia and Ireland.

Tania Carol-Lugones -who emigrated in 2000 from Puerto San Julián in Patagonia (Argentina) to settle in New York- designs bags that are made in her country and exported to small shops in California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Georgia, Texas, Washington, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Cork county in Ireland.

Carol-Lugones is one of the 76 vendors who offer -until December 24th- their products in the emblematic Grand Central Terminal in Manhattan, which already welcomed Christmas season with the famous Radio City Rockettes.

For twelve years Grand Central’s Vanderbilt Hall has become a small shopping mall where New Yorkers and visitors can buy bags, toys, jewelry, scarves, hats and clothes among other Christmas gifts.

The entrepreneur recalled -during an interview with Efe- that even though she always wanted to be a designer her family -described by her as conservative- wanted her to become a lawyer like her grandfather. However after two years in Law School she quitted it and started Political Science.

"I became a specialist in Mexican Revolution and felt in love with Zapata. I told myself that if I ever had a project I’d call it Viva Zapata because I have strong social ideas behind the business. I’m interested in getting to know the people who make the objects and establish a personal relationship with them "she pointed out.

"Zapata was an intelligent man who respected the other people’s work. I share his philosophy related to work as an identity provider", stated enthusiastically Carol-Lugones, who joins for he first time the group of entrepreneurs vending at the station.

This Argentine emigrated to NYC in 2000 and started a business with two partners. After splitting up she launched Viva Zapata! in 2005.

The handbags are made in Buenos Aires City, Argentina, by two brothers. "Each piece is cut out by hand and made entirely by the same person ".

She explained that the bags are made with vinyl - the same material used in public transportation seats in her country- and the handles with the same cotton straps used for wooden shutters.

"The Collection is inspired in Argentine buses. Buenos Aires has the biggest bus system with over 500 lines. Buses are a part of urban culture “said Carol-Lugones while showing proudly a little book with bus pictures including orange, purple, green, yellow and red seats, the same colors used for the bags.

"Each side of the bags – which are also available online- has a different color and design” said proudly Carol-Lugones, who admitted there’s certain nostalgia about her country in her work.
She also said she is not interested in the bags being manufactured in factories and sold massively and explained she only exports around a dozen bags to each of the shops in the USA, Canada, Asia and Europe.

The entrepreneur also offers in her Grand Central stall Argentine traditional worker’s pants called bombachas and dresses made by Argentine tailors at their own houses for Aux Charpentier shop opened in Buenos Aires in 1888. EFE rh/cs (video).