Plueys and my+brolly
Fashionable Boots and Umbrellas for a cause
Bring some sunshine into the rain by slipping into Plueys. Pluey is from the french word "Pluie" for rain. The first Wellington boots (also known as wellies, rainboots, galoshes, puddle stompers) were created by Arthur Wellesley (The First Duke of Wellington) as footwear fit for battle and the dinner table. Designers have since then revolutionized the humble piece of rubber by creating them in delightful prints and patterns.
It was in 2007 when Esel de Sagun, one of the distributors of Plueys, realized that she wanted to start on her own business venture. One rainy day, her little sister who had just arrived from school soaking wet from the rain suggested, “Why not bring rainboots to the Philippines?”
Esel then scoured the Internet, looking for rain boots, when she stumbled upon Plueys. Esel and friend Em Somera were so inspired by Plueys' whimsical designs which were then starting to gain an international following. The two then decided to pool resources to bring Plueys to Manila.
"No other footwear specifically for rain is available locally which is quite ironic because it rains all the time! " Shares Em. They decided that they want to transform the way Filipinos feel about rain, and so BrightCloud, Inc. was born. Their company was the first to bring patterned rainboots to the Philippines.
Plueys are made of natural durable rubber, fully lined with cotton, with sturdy treaded soles. Since rubber is a brittle material and can crack if exposed to the sun for a prolonged period, it is best to wipe them clean and dry, storing the Plueys indoors after use. More specific product care instructions are available on the website.
BrightCloud, Inc. started out by introducing their Personalities Line to let people to know that there’s a perfect pair of Plueys to match anyone’s personality. There are six designs in this collection.
The next collection BrightCloud, Inc. released was the Destinations Line, which features five designs. What makes the collection exciting is how the products are themed after different dream destinations.
Kids sizes and designs also available online.
Their main point of distribution is via e-commerce website, www.readyforrain.com. Launched September, 2009. It is the Philippines’ first one-stop rain shop! They ship to customer's doorsteps in one to two days. Right now most of their products cater to women (Plueys, Rain Skimmers and my+brolly), but they've brought in galoshes because they wanted to have something for men as well.
Click here to read on about my+brolly umbrella.
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Read on about my+brolly umbrellaa.
my+brolly umbrella is another line available on www.readyforrain.com, specializing in umbrellas hand-painted by husband and wife team, Allan & Malu. Although Malu is in a wheelchair, her imagination has already taken her around the world.
My+brolly is BrightCloud’s advocacy. Part of the proceeds of my+brolly hand-painted umbrellas will be used to build the 5th Wheelmobile in the Philippines to provide transportation to wheelchair users around Metro Manila. BrightCloud Inc. and COFFI (Circle of Friends Foundation) are raising funds for this program so people in wheelchairs can have the mobility and independence that we enjoy and sometimes take for granted. More about this project on www.coffi.net.
Plueys, Rain skimmers and my+brolly are available at the shopsundae at Malugay St. San Antonio Village, Makati and selected stores listed on www.readyforrain.com. All let it rain merchandise including Galoshes and rainflats are available online.
Sources: www.readyforrain.com, Angela Gurango of shopsundae and Ms. Em Somera
Click here to read on about Rain Love on Manila.
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Read on about Rain Love on Manila.
Rain Love on Manila
"Rain Love on Manila is a not-for-profit design cause for the benefit of the victims of tropical storm Ketsana/Ondoy in the Philippines. Manila's drenched in garbage-strewn water that washed away our loved ones and our hard-earned possessions. It's time to weather the storm with a showering of compassion." Deb Flores shares how her idea started and how this simple shirt is continuing to benefit people affected by disasters.
Restless Beginnings
”Rain Love on Manila started with a restlessness after watching videos after videos of the disaster that the supertyphoon Ketsana/Ondoy was wreaking all over the city,” says Deb.
“It was when I saw the BBC video capturing the raging river under the San Mariano Bridge where those children were helplessly floating along with the garbage that I stopped watching [and realized] I needed to talk to people. To tell them it was going to be alright. But from experience, I know that most people who undergo a crisis really don’t want others who are better off to say “It’s going to be alright.” The better way is to let people know that difficulties like these will pass, if we change the way we look at difficulties.”
And then I thought, “Well, we can’t stop the rain. But we can evoke rain that we can produce ourselves.” We’ll rain compassion. Compassion that’s stronger than this supertyphoon. We will rain love instead.”
On coining the word "Manila"
”Our country’s weakest moment was also our strongest and most noble. People took to Rain Love on Manila very easily because everyone’s goal was to help uplift each other. Facebook was the first means to get the message out, and having the Rain Love on Manila logo as my profile picture became my marketing strategy to spread the word.”
“Manila is the capital of the Philippines, and thus it represents the archipelago. Coining Manila is the most direct way to tell people that this is in response to the calamity that struck our home. The message was a call for help by people who can help. Whether it’s a fellow countryman responding to that call or a good global neighbor, help was needed from everyone.”
Click here to read more about Rain Love on Manila.
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Read more about Rain Love on Manila.
Progress
”It started out as a profile picture, and now, it has become a network of over 1,000 members, all of which I firmly believe are ready to assist efforts of volunteering similar to what was called for by the Ketsana/Ondoy disaster,” explains Deb.
“Being able to get a NY supplier, as well as a Manila supplier to carry Rain Love on Manila shirts is progress. Being able to persuade Zazzle.ca to increase the percentage of returns is progress. Being able to raise over thousands of pesos and dollars to distribute to over 250 victims is progress,” says Deb with pride.
Not for Ondoy victims only
Rain Love on Manila is applicable to all supertyphoon-related disasters. Should there be any need to assist to calamity-stricken areas in and around the Philippines, Rain Love on Manila as a volunteer network will be among those who respond.
Product availability
Rain Love on Manila shirts are available online through Zazzle.ca and in selected Analog Soul stores in the metropolis. Shirt is sold at P500 locally.
Wearing Rain Love for Manila shirts expresses more than just printed words. It gives out a statement that says "When it rains, I help." More about Rain Love on Manila on www.rainloveonmanila.blogspot.com
Source: Deb Flores via email and www.rainloveonmanila.blogspot.com
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