Posh hotel bags one for the homeless

A range of fabulous bags made from recycled luxury hotel bed linen has been unveiled at the London Marriott Hotel Marble Arch.

The fashion bags, bearing an eye catching design by London artist Vicki Murdoch, mark a collaboration between one of London’s greenest hotels and Sleeping Bags, a social enterprise which is committed to preserving the environment and supporting local manufacturing.

Homeless men and women in London are also benefiting from the partnership with profits from the sale of the bags being donated to St Mungo’s, a homelessness charity with over 100 projects across London and the South.

The bags, which start their life as discarded bed sheets and duvet covers destined for landfill are collected on a regular basis by Sleeping Bags. A local manufacturer then cuts and stitches the bags using a recycled bed sheet as the outer part of the bag and the duvet cover as lining. In all, one king size sheet and duvet cover can be fashioned into ten bags. Local artists then add the finishing touches by creating their specially commissioned artworks printed or hand painted on to the bags.

The range of tote bags on sale at the Marriott hotel feature a bespoke design by London artist and silk scarf maker Vicki Murdoch who was inspired by a dream to come up with the design. Called ‘In My Dreams’, the theme fits perfectly with the concept of beds, bed linen and hotels. The bags feature a fun, dream-like bird design in colours and textures which are exclusive to the hotel, including a striking silver finish.

Vicki is also customising a limited edition collection of the bags. She will hand paint a design on each bag in special gold paint and each will be numbered and signed by the artist.

“We are pleased to be involved in such a clever idea which fulfils so many of our objectives. Not only are we diverting waste materials from landfill, but we are also supporting the local art and manufacturing communities and helping London’s homeless by donating profits to St Mungo’s,” said Govert Deketh, General Manager, London Marriott Hotel Marble Arch.

“This collaboration with the London Marriott Hotel at Marble Arch marks a tremendous step forward for us. We share similar values and respect their commitment to protecting the environment and supporting the local community.  It is very satisfying to be able to take an item which is no longer wanted and transform it into something that is beautiful and useful,” said Andy Marks, Sleeping Bags.

“St Mungo’s welcomes this opportunity to work with the London Marriott Hotel Marble Arch and Sleeping Bags. The funds raised will help St Mungo’s support homeless people on their recovery journey and continue to create innovative housing, health and work programmes”,” said Tanya English, Executive Director of Fundraising and Communications at St Mungo’s.

For further information:

http://www.londonmarriottmarblearch.co.uk; http://www.sleepingbags.me; http://www.mungos.org .

Valere Tjolle

Valere is editor of the Sustainable Tourism Report Suite 2011 Special Offers HERE