DMC Clutch · Raffia

The DMC — Deep Meaningful Conversations — Clutch is a handwoven raffia clutch bag unlike any other. Woven from 100% natural raffia yarn by skilled artisans working in direct partnership with COLĒRE, it is a living artefact that marks this new chapter in conscious luxury and serves as a metaphor for the deep conversations COLĒRE carries as a brand.

With its distinctive half-moon silhouette, a homage to the COLĒRE logo that you can tuck under your arm and carry with you, artisan fringing along the outer edges, and a warm leather tab embossed with the COLĒRE name, the DMC occupies a rare space: where artisan practicality meets ambitious sustainable design. Compact enough to carry effortlessly, spacious enough for your phone, cards, and keys.

NATURAL RAFFIA YARN — LIGHTWEIGHT, BIODEGRADABLE, AND PLANT-BASED

The body of this handwoven raffia clutch is woven from 100% natural raffia yarn, a plant-based fibre derived from the raffia palm, one of nature's most sustainable and renewable materials. Raffia is naturally lightweight, biodegradable, and incredibly strong, making it an ideal material for ethically conscious luxury goods. No synthetic dyes, no chemical treatments, the warm ivory tones you see are entirely as nature intended.

The weave follows a spiralling, concentric pattern radiating from the centre of the bag, creating subtle depth and texture that catches the light beautifully. A soft fringe detail runs along the outer edge, the kind of detail only a human hand can produce with such quiet precision. Each bag is entirely unique: no two pieces carry exactly the same weave density, tonal variation, or fringe arrangement. These are not imperfections; they are signatures.

KATYA FABRIC LINING — REFINED, PROTECTIVE, CONSIDERED

Inside, the DMC is lined with soft Katya fabric, a refined textile chosen for its smooth hand feel and protective qualities. The lining keeps your belongings safe from the natural texture of the raffia body, prevents small items from catching, and adds a layer of understated luxury that elevates this piece beyond a simple woven bag into something genuinely considered. It is the inner world of the clutch: unseen, but always felt.

THE HONEST ZIPPER — TRANSPARENCY AS A BRAND VALUE

The DMC closes with a functional plastic zipper, and COLĒRE wants to discuss it because transparency is a core value. The zipper is not a compromise. It is intentionally retained by COLĒRE out of respect for the choice of the artisans who created this piece. Real sustainability lies in longevity and care; throwing out the zipper and replacing it with a plastic-free option would be doing one of the very things we're standing against. The zipper closes with ease, holds securely, and ensures this clutch serves you faithfully for years to come.

A LIMITED EDITION OF HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The DMC is a ready-made design that emerged from the initial collaboration between our artisans' creative practice and COLĒRE's vision. We preserved it exactly as the maker crafted it for us. This piece is both a product and a statement of principle: respect for the artisan and acknowledgement that change has to start somewhere, and nothing needs to be wasted. Each DMC purchased directly supports artisan livelihoods and the continuation of slow-craft traditions at risk of being lost to mass production.

Product Specification:

Dimensions:  8 inches in diameter (half moon silhouette)

Colourway:  Natural Raffia — warm ivory, ecru, and blonde tones

Materials:  Natural Raffia Yarn · Katya Fabric Lining · Functional Recycled Plastic Zipper

Edition:  Limited Edition — one of the first creations from the COLĒRE artisan collaboration

Production:  Small batch · handmade · fair trade practices · slow craft · sustainably sourced plant-based materials

Production Method & Craftsmanship Details

Handmade

Made in small batches

Made by Artisan

Key features:

• Handwoven 100% natural raffia yarn — lightweight, biodegradable

• Distinctive half-moon silhouette with concentric spiral weave pattern

• Artisan-designed fringe detail along the outer edge — a hallmark of slow craft

• Functional plastic zipper closure — chosen by the artisan for durability and longevity- was the beginning of our DMC with them.

• Soft Katya fabric interior lining — protects contents and elevates the tactile finish

• Genuine veg tan leather tab embossed with 'COLĒRE' — natural, traceable leather

• 8 inches in diameter — compact yet functional, ideal as an evening or day clutch

Care Tips:

• Keep dry; avoid soaking or prolonged exposure to moisture

• Clean gently with a soft, dry cloth — do not machine wash or submerge

• Store flat or upright to maintain the integrity of the woven form

• Avoid prolonged direct sunlight to preserve the natural ivory and ecru tones

• Handle the fringe detail with care; natural raffia will soften beautifully with age

• Embrace subtle shifts in texture and colour over time — this is the patina of authenticity

• If the zipper stiffens, apply a small amount of natural beeswax to the teeth

What is included

• Your unique, handmade piece, Colēre brand tag & Giftwrap, Natural-fabric storage bag

COLĒRE plants a tree for every purchase you make and donates at least 12% of all net profits directly to training, education and resources for our artisan communities.