RE: Rags to Riches — New Company Creates Designer Goods From Discarded Materials

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) August 24, 2010 --

New Orleans, LA—Most see a scrap of discarded fabric, weathered wood or rusty hardware as items lacking purpose. Unless, of course, you’re Traci Claussen, Founder and Chief Gatherer of the Green of REpurposingNOLA Piece by PeaceTM, a New Orleans based company that takes castoff materials and turns them into useful works of art. The Iowa-born, Civilian-brat, turned New Orleanian, ditched her high-powered corporate job in the radio industry, to create unique, usable designer goods utilizing excessive, discarded fabrics of the community, making each design a literal “piece” of New Orleans. Claussen has the uncanny ability to spot a vintage curtain tossed aside from a recently re-furbished hotel and envision it as a chic Hobo Bag or a pair of colorful trousers. She and her team scour thrift stores, salvage material shops, textile manufacturing plants and even the closets of family and friends, in search of fabric, tassels, cords, neck ties, hardware and other elements destined to become a one-of-a-kind gem. Dubbed “a unique piece of New Orleans,” these eco-friendly treasures are striking a cord with those who appreciate both their “green” factor, as well as the hand-made, well-crafted beauty of each piece.

ABOUT REpurposingNOLA Piece by PeaceTM:

Launched in September 2009, REpurposingNOLA is unique in itself in that it follows the triple bottom line concept: People, planet, profits, which embraces social, ecological and economic values and principles. Corporate social responsibility is key, namely in the form of community activism, employment of local workers, the utilization of repurposed materials, participation in mentoring programs, and support of philanthropic projects. For example, $50 from each sale of the $150 Eco-Duffle Bag will be donated to the Gulf Restoration Network. Additionally, every penny of the $20 burlap coffee sack doggie bed is donated to Pet Adoption Services (http://petadoptionservices.org/) to help rescue and care for abused and abandoned pets. REpurposingNOLA was also part of the Idea Village Entrepreneur Challenge portfolio for 2010, beating out over 200 New Orleans entrepreneurs who were vying for one of the 18 coveted spots.

ABOUT FOUNDER TRACI CLAUSSEN:

Founder & Chief Gatherer of the Green, Traci Claussen is living her “indie” dream back in New Orleans building her brand, REpurposingNOLA, a Triple Bottom Line company launched last year, with growth plans that include duplicate micro-communities across the country. Full of wanderlust and relentless eco-energy, Claussen is forever seeking ways to repurpose the planet and reunite the old with the new. The idea to launch REpurposingNOLA Piece by Peace came while she was eco-renovating her warehouse district loft with sustainable elements and salvaged treasures she discovered around New Orleans. The New Orleans Warehouse District, like many warehouse districts in the United States, was once an area that thrived with local production from sugar to machinery to textiles from the late 1800s into the mid-1950s. The renovation inspired Claussen to help repurpose a city that was once a thriving port, alive with production.

THE COLLECTION:

The REpurposingNOLA Piece by PeaceTM collection consists primarily of bags (handbags, makeup bags, travel kits, etc.), clothing and accessories (dresses, pants and hats) and home décor (chairs, trays, candles) each produced in limited quantities. Additionally, Ms. Claussen has been tapped by several local and national businesses to create a special “signature” piece. Recently, she partnered with the 2013 New Orleans Super Bowl Host Committee's Environmental Program to recycle and REpurpose actual stadium banners and fence wraps from the 2010 Saints victory in Miami. REpurposing NOLA will offer an entire line of practical items, including his and hers travel kits, which will be in select retail outlets after September 9th. Most items are available online at http://repurposingnola-piece-by-peace.com Limited pieces are available at local boutiques in New Orleans, New York and Maine.
Bags—Signature Burlap: HoBo, RE-Weekender, MALE Messenger & Laptop Sleeve; Eco-travel: Eco-duffel, COEX(ist), Travel kit;
Vintage draperies: Cocktail, HoBo, 007 Getaway
Home—Salvaged Wood: Bamboo Chair, Melasse Tray, Pandora’s Box; RE-candled: Rosemary-Mint, Lavendar, Summertime; Pillow Fight! in burlap or vintage materials
Special Projects—2013 HOST COMMITTEE sports banners; rE-Kreate/Edna Karr Trust Your Crazy Ideas Challenge for Brees Dream Foundation; Jack and Jake’s Local & Organic Market FEEDBAG
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