After spending two years in the Peace Corps and traveling the South Pacific, Lia Valerio was inspired to raise money for developing countries the fashion-forward way.

In 2005, the Chicago woman founded Malia Designs, a company that creates unique purses, wallets and bags from textiles found in Southeast Asia. The company donates a portion of its profits to organizations that fight child trafficking in Southeast Asia.

"Malia Designs provides (a product) that is fun and fashion-forward, and the icing on the cake is that it's all for a good cause," Valerio said.

Everything Malia Designs sells is made in Cambodia from materials such as recycled fish feed bags, repurposed construction netting and different silks.

Malia Designs was one of dozens of vendors on hand Saturday at Rotolo Middle School in Batavia for the 24th annual Batavia Mother's Club Autumn Arts and Crafts Show.

The show featured a wide selection of handmade goods and a variety of seasonally decorated baked treats.

The Mother's Club holds its craft fair each year to raise money for local charities that support children and families in Geneva, Batavia and St. Charles such as Lazarus House and Tri-Cities Family Services.

The fair charges a $3 admission fee and typically brings in between $18,00 and $25,000 to distribute in the community.

"People are attracted to this event by the one-of-a-kind items our vendors sell and our mission," Mother's Club President Shauna Huck said. "Our goal this year is to raise $20,000 and it's especially important for groups like the Mother's Club to help raise money because of the economy.

Malia Designs, whose slogan is "Designed to carry a cause," fits right in.

"The cause (supported by Malia Designs) touches my heart," Kathy Garrity of Batavia said as she bought three new file folder bags. "These items are very interesting and functional and I just love the colors."

Garrity and her daughter, Megan, came to the fair to support the Mother's Club. They were drawn to Valerio's table decorated with vibrant accessories.

"These (pieces) are something you don't see at other craft shows and they're conversation pieces," the younger Garrity said, holding her newly purchased tote bag.

Besides the occasional craft fair showing, Malia Designs products can be found in different boutiques in Chicago and at many Whole Foods locations.

For more information about Malia Designs, visit www.maliadesigns.com.