In a world dominated by mass-produced fashion, one woman’s handcrafted creations are quietly redefining the meaning of luxury and authenticity. Every month, the bags from Rags to Peaches vanish from online shelves in minutes — sometimes even in just three. Behind this phenomenon is Tey Pei Hwa, a former English teacher whose journey from classroom to craft studio has inspired thousands across Singapore and beyond.
From Classroom to Creative Studio
Before becoming a full-time maker, Tey was an English Literature teacher, guiding students through words and worlds of imagination. But her own story took a turn in 2012, during a trip to Kyoto, Japan. Wandering through the Higashiyama district, she stumbled upon a small shop selling gamaguchis — vintage-style kiss-lock handbags that open with a gentle clasp.
“It felt magical,” she recalled. “There’s beauty in their simplicity — just a clasp, no zippers, no fuss.” That visit planted the seed for what would later become Rags to Peaches.
Over the years, Tey returned to Kyoto annually, buying gamaguchis and collecting fabrics — from cute animal prints to elegant kimono brocades. Her fascination with textiles, she believes, came from her parents, who once worked as tailors. “I grew up surrounded by fabrics and sewing machines,” she said. “I loved watching them transform something plain into something beautiful.”
Finding Purpose Through Loss
After marrying in 2016, Tey spent a year in London with her husband, who was pursuing his master’s degree. There, she enrolled in a full-time sewing course and began selling small handmade items online — early hints of her future path.
When she returned to Singapore, life brought both joy and heartbreak. She became a mother, but also experienced a devastating pregnancy loss in 2022. It was during this emotional chapter that sewing became her solace.
“I had so much love to give, but nowhere for it to go,” she said softly. “Sewing helped me channel that love into something tangible — something that carried meaning.”
The Rags to Peaches logo itself is a tribute to the daughter she lost: a little girl with two ponytails holding a teddy bear and a small gamaguchi, gazing into the distance. “Every time I look at it, I’m reminded of her,” Tey shared. “She lives on through my work.”
Building Rags to Peaches from Scratch
In 2020, Tey took a leap of faith. She made her first batch of 15 gamaguchi bags and listed them on Instagram. They sold out within minutes. Word spread quickly — not through advertisements or influencer campaigns, but through heartfelt customer testimonials.
Today, her monthly drops of 40 to 50 handmade bags sell out in less than 15 minutes. Some buyers set alarms just to secure one. Prices range from about S$80 for small pouches to S$295 for larger bags. Despite the high demand, she refuses to mass-produce.
“I could buy machines to make production faster,” she said, “but that would take away the soul of it. People can feel when something is made by hand — it’s a human connection that can’t be replicated.”
Each bag is meticulously cut, stitched, and framed by hand. Even the alignment must be perfect; a one-centimeter mistake could ruin the entire piece. “Gamaguchis are unforgiving,” she laughed. “But that’s what makes them special.”
Balancing Motherhood and Craft
Tey’s days begin at dawn. She works in her small Tai Seng studio from 7am until mid-afternoon before picking up her children from preschool. On weekends, she sews while they nap. It’s a delicate balance between entrepreneurship and motherhood — but one she deeply values.
“My son calls me a bag cobbler,” she joked. “I like that he sees me doing something different. I want my kids to know that success isn’t only about money — it’s about purpose, creativity, and joy.”
A Brand That Sparks Joy
What makes Rags to Peaches stand out isn’t just the quality of craftsmanship but the emotion stitched into every piece. Many customers write to Tey, sharing how her bags bring comfort during tough times or remind them of loved ones.
“It amazes me that something I make with my hands can bring joy to someone else,” she said. “Each piece carries a story — mine and theirs.”
A Stitch in Time, A Legacy in Fabric
Rags to Peaches isn’t just a handmade bag brand. It’s a testament to resilience, love, and the power of creating beauty from pain. From a small corner in Singapore, Tey Pei Hwa has shown that even in loss, there can be renewal — and that sometimes, the simplest clasp can hold the strongest emotions.
Her story is a gentle reminder that success doesn’t always come from scale or speed. Sometimes, it’s hand-sewn, one stitch at a time, with heart and purpose.
