Fashion brand Tibi has created an eco-friendly philanthropy tote inspired by ants as drawn by preschoolers from the United Way Center for Excellence in Early Education.

Tibi has generously donated 1,000 exclusive totes, available just in time for the holidays. Proceeds will benefit the center and its work to raise the quality of early care and education in Miami and beyond. It all started with an ant. One of the smallest creatures inspired a classroom of preschoolers and that classroom inspired a fashion powerhouse. Tibi founder and creative director Amy Smilovic took a tour of the Center after having launched her nature-inspired Pre-Fall 2019 collection last year, featuring cheeky takes on ants. She quickly realized the children were also fascinated by powerful, tiny ants – and that's when the idea for the Tibi for United Way tote was born.

The philanthropy tote, made of 100 per cent cotton canvas, features an illustration by four-year-old Emily, a preschool student at the Center. Amy and her team at Tibi mixed fashion expertise with the imagination of children to create a unique product that drives awareness and philanthropy. The partnership is meant to ignite holiday shoppers to give a gift with a purpose - a gift that will empower innovative young minds for years to come.