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Smateria
Smateria was established in Cambodia in 2006 by two Italian friends: Elisa, who manages the creative side and Jennifer, who runs the business side. They both believed “One man’s junk is another man’s treasure” and knew it was possible to transform discarded materials into gorgeous new fashion accessories by mixing Italian design and technical Khmer skills.
THE BAGS
Each bag is unique in its style, much like music.
Net (Pop & Funk)
Originally designed as a protection net for use on construction sites, the net that doesn’t meet safety standards is sold off as “faulty” at the markets. It then becomes multipurpose. It’s used for drying rice, fishing, and protecting cows from mosquitoes. Smateria purchases rolls of this “mosquito net” to manufacture unique bags and accessories.
Plastic Bags (Classical)
In Cambodia plastic bags are strewn everywhere, all over the streets and in the rivers. With such a ready supply, it made sense for Smateria to transform this material into something desirable. Black like oil, soft like leather, resistant in the way only plastic can be. It’s an ideal material for bags and wallets. A team of 20
craftspeople work at Smateria’s plastic project at the relocation site for displaced people in the village of Andong.
Motorbike Seats “Smoto” (Jazz)
The “moto” holds legendary status among Cambodians. Everybody wants or has one. Five people can easily fit on one. Monks bless new ones every day at the pagoda. With no public transport system and cars being so expensive, the motorbike is essential to the Cambodian family. At Smateria we recycle old discarded seats and use them to produce funky bags and wallets.
THE COMPANY
Smateria is a self financed, social enterprise. We employ able bodied and disabled people. In just four years, the business has grown from five to fifty employees. All Smateria employees are contracted in accordance with International Labour Law. 85% of Smateria employees are young women between the ages of 20 and 30. Smateria outsources much of the handiwork to the family members of their staff. Basic training is offered to the family members for free and sewing machines are provided on a rent to own agreement. The cost of the machines are repaid to Smateria in monthly instalments free of interest fees.