❤︎ Gifts That Keep on Giving ❤︎

five ACCESSORIES supports a daycare and school offered as a free benefit to the children of our artisans at Smateria, our producer in Cambodia. Being a woman-owned business, with many moms working for it, Smateria dreamt of having a school just above the workshop for the little ones. That idea soon became reality as the company flourished; Smateria now gives the opportunity to mothers to have their kids very close and safe! 

The daycare and school directly above the Smateria workshop in Cambodia. 

Smateria is a self financed, ‘for profit’ company, the ‘profit’ from which goes straight back into the business. Employing tailors and members of their families, in 6 years, the business has grown from 5 to 100 employees! All Smateria employees are contracted in accordance with International Labor Law. 90% of employees are young women who are encouraged to bring their children to work, where Smateria pays for child care and pre-school.

Corporations are looking for socially conscious gifts.....

We're busy here at five ACCESSORIES packing orders for our corporate clients! Through our partnership with B Corp, Helping Hand Rewards (HHR), we've been given the opportunity to expand our business into the promotional product, incentive, and recognition and rewards markets. This has meant a greater reach and larger sales, and has also tested our embroidering abilities, which are impeccable I might add. We've worked for large financial institutions, well-known sports brands and local philanthropic organizations to brand some of our most popular items, such as the Repurposed Netting iPad Case. 

Want the iPad Case for yourself? Buy it here: https://www.fiveaccessories.com/shop/Handbags/MSG-Computer-Bags/iPad-Case-CA39

HHR's mission is to effect change in the lives of individuals and the business practices of companies through corporate social responsibility. Through a little something they like to call Green + ™, HHR offers opportunities for companies to practice not only environmental sustainability but social sustainability too. HHR's partners receive their ongoing support    promoting the good that they're doing in the world. How cool is that?

Do you have a cause to support? Need fundraising ideas?

Do you have a cause we can support? Maybe we can help.  

In Chicago, we are sponsoring Blaine Elementary: movies on their field Friday, Sept. 27th. We will be showcasing our new #spiritwear items such as the iPod/ iPhone wristlet with embroidery of the schools name. Upto 50% of all sales goes back to the school or organization.   

Custom products available. Sample products include: 

Help to make working conditions better in Bangladesh

Over 1,200 people have lost their lives in Bangladesh due to sweatshop factories conditions.  Many US companies are quick to exploit them and demand cheap labor for products.  So far, 50 companies have signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety in Bangladesh.  The act would require independent safety inspections with public reports, mandatory factory renovations and the obligation of brands and retailers to underwrite factory repair costs.  Only two US Companies have signed.  The majority of those that signed are European Companies.  

As a member of Green America, we support the call to urge US Corporations to sign the accord.  You can help at http://tinyurl.com/mzr8uwn.  

Support Ethical Clothing.  Buy Fair Trade.  

Summer in the City

It's here.  Summertime in Chicago.  My favorite time of year.   Where will you find fiveACCESSORIES

this weekend.... at Andersonville Midsommarfest you can find new summer sales at our location within the Andersonville Galleria.  We you be carrying your iPad to the summer street festivals.  Then stock up with our new SALE PRICE on our  iPad Carrying Case Shoulder Bag.   




along the lakefront..... I have been participating in sailboat races for over ten years so look for me at The Chicago Yacht Club or out on the water sporting the ever popular shopping tote.  We thank the Chicago Yacht Club for hosting a fun Spring Fashion Show that displayed our goods.










traveling... here is a picture of my kids so excited to see Mom's bags at the Midway Airport in the Chicago Treasures Store.

Expanding into the Green Conference and Corporate Gift Marketplace

Corporations have limited marketing dollars to spend on swag gifts, corporate give aways or conference meeting bags.  In the past, big ticket and name brands were sought after.  However, the industry is changing.  Companies want to give something that represents not only their value system but also philanthropic efforts.  They are seeking eco friendly products and socially conscious messages.


We recently took our conference bag and iPad zip sleeve to the Green Meeting Marketing Conference in Chicago.  The organizers of the conference loved the uniqueness of of the material and message that the PR Team selected items to appear on the Chicago CBS Morning Show April 2013.  Here is a picture of the segment producer and the spokesperson for GMIC.




eco:
Our conference bags are made of recycled netting material formerly used in the industry of fishing and construction in Asia.  The net that does not meet industry standards is sold off as faulty at local markets.

fair trade:
As members of the Fair Trade Federation, we support over 100 artisans through our partnership with Smateria.  On average, five meals are provided through the sale of one product.

Now that is giving a meaningful gift that gives back.  An image that corporations are proud to support.

The cost of cheap labor

Do you know where your clothes are made?  How they are made?  If they are cheap....are they cheap at someone else's expense.

You might have heard of the building collapse last week that killed over 1,100 people in Bangladesh.  Did you also hear of a fire last fall that killed 112 workers.  This is from the NYTimes:

'The Nov. 24 fire at the Tazreen Fashions factory, where workers were making clothes for global retailers like Walmart and Sears, has focused attention on the unsafe work conditions and low wages at many garment factories in Bangladesh, the No. 2 exporter of apparel after China. The fire also has exposed flaws in the system that monitors the industry’s global supply chain: Walmart and Sears say they had no idea their apparel was being made there.'

Many factory workers would rather pay $1,200 per 'body' as a fine if a tragedy occurs than adhere to safety standards.  One reason why... large retailers push them down so much on price that they are forced to cut corners.  So think twice the next time you buy cheap.... is the product cheap at what cost.  

Buy fair trade... make a change.  


http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/18/world/asia/bangladesh-factory-fire-caused-by-gross-negligence.html?_r=0

Fashionable fair trade colors for 2013!

Looking for the fashionable color this spring.  Every year Pantone comes out with an accent color of the year.  In 2013 they picked Emerald Green.  Here are some selections of fair trade wallets, bags and purses from five ACCESSORIES that can help to accent your wardrobe.

Our classic messenger bag is a perfect unisex bag designed to carry a 13.5 inch computer.  

One of our best selling items is the wallet with key chain designed to carry your iPhone.  An easy way to accent with green.  

Celebrating Earth Day at five ACCESSORIES

Earth Day makes you think of using less and recycling more to help protect our environment.  At five ACCESSORIES, our core goal is to use recycled materials for our bags.  Here is a list of the reused materials:


Recycled Netting 

Netting material intended for use in the fishing and construction industries that has holes and rips in it is sold off at local markets. We recycle it for use in our bags.

Repurposed Motorcycle Seats

Over 80% of the population uses motorcycles. We repurpose the seats to make our purses.

Reused Black Plastic Bags

Plastic bags are cut, heated and crocheted into sharp looking accessories. 

Celebrating the Khmer New Year with our Cambodian Artisan Partners

The Khmer New Year is celebrated in Cambodia starting on April 13th.  Our artisan partners will have the entire week off through April 22nd to celebrate this majestical time.  The holiday usually signifies the end of the harvesting season, when farmers enjoy the fruits of their labor before the rainy season begins.  For an insight into the 2013 Khmer Song, please view the following YouTube Video.  

We are proud to support the traditions and value of the country where our goods are produced.  For more information about Cambodia and our fair trade labor practices please visit our website.

The beginning of a business inspired from a honeymoon trip around the world.

The founders of five ACCESSORIES, Christine Hutchison and her husband traveled to Bali in 2005. While there they met a Balinese man, I Make Kichen,  who told them how a gift of $5 a month from an American couple who visited Bali impacted his life in a big way. This small contribution empowered him to stay in school and improve his English, eventually allowing him to send his kids to college, proving that $5 can empower a parent and a family.

Over six years later, Christine brings the story from Bali into fair trade products from Cambodia.  Through her partnership with Smateria, she helps to support over 100 artisans from Phnom Penh, Cambodia .  Believing that the products made under fair trade labor practices empowers people by teaching them viable working skills is the surest way to fight global poverty.  Bringing the story from their honeymoon full circle and showing how just a small amount, even as little as five dollars, can have a change on someone’s life.  

As wedding season approaches, we remember the power of weddings and honeymoons to bring people together in new and unexpected positive ways! Our Must Have Clutch is perfect for any bridesmaid. An adjustable and removable strap can be worn as a wristlet or off the shoulder. Shot silk is handmade from Cambodia with design by La Vie Devant Soie. Who knows what will happen when a bridesmaid with our bright and colorful clutch shares her love for the bride with the beauty of five ACCESSORIES!

Global Activism Expo, WBEZ

Last year our founder, Christine Hutchison, had the honor of being interviewed by Jerome McDonnell on NPR's Worldview.  We discussed how we have grown our partnership with Smateria, a fair trade group in Cambodia, over the past four years to now offer stylish and fashion forward bags that are also using sustainable material in over 200 national stores.  We have seen Smateria grown from 15 artisans to over 100 artisans now offering a daycare center and school that is a free benefit to our artisans children.  

This Saturday, come meet Jerome McDonnell and Barbara Ramsey of WBEZ at the 6th Annual Global Activism Expo in Chicago.  The event will take place from at the UIC Forum, 725 W Roosevelt,  from noon to 6 pm.  Admission is free.   five ACCESSORIES will be among 100 socially conscious organizations making a global impact. Come support and learn how you can help make a difference in someone's life.  Through the purchase of one laptop sleeve, we are able to provide five meals to the children of our daycare center.  

The Face Behind Your Fashion Accessory

The eco-friendly purse or organic piece of clothing you just bought, have you ever  really wondered where it originated?  Who made it? Or how they made it?  Well, at five ACCESSORIES, fair trade is fundamental to everything we do. We believe in knowing 'what's in your bag' or  ' who made your bag'.  Treating people fairly is the basis of our business and our primary purpose for doing business.  

Featured here is Sophea. She has been working with our Cambodia partners, Smateria, since 2005.  She started without any tailoring experience whatsoever. She was hired as a cleaner of recycled tetrapak fruit juice and milk boxes. Just a few months later she asked to try working as a basic tailor. Fast forward to 2013, eight years later,  she is currently the chief of Smateria's wallets production room. Wallets are technically the most difficult product to sew. (five currently carries two of those recycled wallets.)

This hardworking wife and mother of two, was unemployed prior to working with Smateria and her husband has always worked as a moto taxi driver. She is originally from the country side and recently bought her own house in her homeland - a big investment for her children and a safe place for her and her husband to retire to one day.

Sophea is just one face behind our Cambodian products whom we are helping. The five brand is not only about eco friendly handbags, it is about people.

Resource: Smateria