This local brand collaborated with the Manila City Jail in making its new collection of beaded bags

Style Cat is a local resort brand that just released its new beaded bag collection called "Freedom."

But there's more to the Freedom collection than just being stylish. Style Cat has partnered with Manila City Jail in making the bags, giving Persons Deprived of Liberty (PDLs) of the its Male Dormitory more livelihood programs and making them a "steady part" of its supply chain.

"We strive to give them a steady income and so we calculate their wage per bag, depending on how long they make it. So whether the bags sell or not, bayad na agad sila," Style Cat co-founder Yuki Higson told GMA News Online.

Style Cat began with a core team of five PDLs, who already have a background in making beaded crafts like vases and small pouches, for "Bili Mo, Tulong Mo," an existing livelihood program of Manila City Jail. 

According to Higson, Manila City Jail is open to train more of their PDLs as the livelihood partnership "aims to promote skills and creativity of the Manila City Jail community one bag at a time."

The project hopes to empower PDLs, as well.

The bags from Style Cat's Freedom collection start at P999. They are available for purchase on their website (www.shopstylecat.com)

Check out photos of the PDLs at work and the finished products below.

— LA, GMA News