When looking at eye-catching products such as clothes, bags, or shoes, very rarely would one think of the hands that made them. That is unless they’re international designer brands. But why shouldn’t local artisan products have the same attention as the next designer brand?
Handcrafted by Harl’s is an up and coming local brand of premium leather goods. And while the products are gorgeous and of world-class quality, the real story is in the people who create them.
The local brand was established in 2014 by Harley Dave Beltran with the mission of creating a livelihood for Filipinos who don’t have the same opportunities as most of us. Since day 1 of Handcrafted by Harl’s, they’ve already been employing people with disabilities to create beautiful leather goods. The vision of the brand has always been to create jobs and provide a livelihood to PWDs.
Beltran shares with WhenInManila.com that the brand never explicitly shared with their followers about their PWD employees until three years after Handcrafted by Harl’s was established. And they’ve got a pretty straightforward reason why: “If you want to help me buy products from me.… Buy products because you want it, not out of pity,” Beltran says.
One look at the wide range of leather products and you’ll definitely get reeled in by the quality and designs–the advocacy being supported is definitely a bonus.
Now, Handcrafted by Harl’s doesn’t just employ PWDs and create jobs, they also have the mission of bringing back leather-crafting in the Philippines. So, they also offer free workshops for leather-crafting in collaboration with the DTI.
(RELATED: 10 inspiring stories that will make you want to volunteer too!)
This brand believes in breaking barriers in the workforce, with the mindset of designing the company to fit people and not the other way around. Handcrafted by Harl’s is changing someone’s life one bag at a time.
Handcrafted by Harl’s
B1, Makati Central Square
Legazpi Sunday Market
Facebook.com/handcraftedbyharls
Instagram.com/handcraftedbyharls
