About me
Who is Tikiwe® Cork Bags?
Tikiwe® is Irene Kirchhoff. Born on a Sunday in May in Munich. That already says a lot about me. The Taurus in me enjoys pleasure. The Munich native in me likes elegance. The Bavarian in me likes coziness.
Even as a child, I was very drawn to colors, shapes, and beautiful things. Enameling, silversmithing, designing, crafting – that was my world. I later turned this passion into a profession and completed an apprenticeship in the watch and jewelry industry. I remained loyal to "my" industry for many years, first in sales and later with enthusiasm in distribution.
It became increasingly difficult for me to see the meaning in what I was doing, as I could no longer ignore the exploitation of people and the environment. The collapse of the Rana Plaza in Bangladesh marked a turning point in my life. From that point on, it became really hard for me to continue my job. Until I discovered cork and put all my eggs in one basket.
Now I can once again pursue my passion for colors, shapes, and beautiful things with enthusiasm. Cork forests make a significant contribution to a healthy environment. Cork is fundamentally a sustainable product. People are paid fairly.
I can now wholeheartedly pass on this enthusiasm to my customers. I appreciate sustainably produced items. I love beautiful, high-quality items.
What does Tikiwe® actually mean?
My bags should have a name that expresses what I feel, what I wish for. A name that stands for my values and for the future. Because no one can pronounce Fwwz correctly, something better was needed.
Eternity. A beautiful word! E T E R N I T Y. That's exactly what it should be. I wish for a beautiful future for humans and animals. And that means forever. I wish for the air, water, fields, and forests to become clean again and stay clean. And that means forever.
I wish that life for humans and animals is no longer characterized by fear, pain, and early death. And that means forever. That's why I named my label Tikiwe®. That's "Ewigkeit" (eternity) spelled backward with 2 letters removed.
I can't save the world by myself. But I can contribute a part. This part is colorful, beautiful, and sustainable for eternity.
Thank you for your interest in Tikiwe® cork bags.
Your Irene Kirchhoff.