Visit us at NY NOW & Chicago STYLEMAX!

We're so excited for the two shows we're exhibiting at this weekend! If you're planning to attend, stop by our booth! :) 

The making of our recycled netting bags

Do you ever wonder how our artisans create beautifully made bags from recycled netting material? Watch this time lapse video from our fair trade producer {Smateria} to find out!

The IT color for 2014

Pantone has chosen; Radiant Orchid is the color of the year for 2014.

"Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health."

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute, explains, “It’s a little different, it’s a little off the beaten path, and it’s not a primary color.” “It’s an invitation to innovation. The purple family offers (an) opportunity to do creative things.”

And, she said, that’s what pop culture wants right now. “People associate purple with creativity and originality—and those are very valued today. We see words like that being used to describe technologies and products that are seen as innovative and with an approach you haven’t tried before.”

Pantone sets color standards for commercial use by design industries. Eiseman expects people will take to it quickly because it’s a flattering color for many skin tones and complementary neutral colors, but it will also look like something people haven’t seen in a while. “This is an opportunity to look at what you’ve already got in your closet and add to it. It will feel like the right amount of change.”

Pantone’s pick for color of the year will, in theory, have a strong presence in fashion, beauty, home design and consumer products.

Read the Press Release

Entrepreneurs For a Change with Lorna Li

A little sneak peak at founder Christine Hutchison's interview with Entrepreneurs For a Change with Lorna Li:

"five ACCESSORIES is one of the most triple bottom line businesses you will encounter. five ACCESSORIES is a wholesale business whose mission is to empower and deliver sustainable livelihoods for workers and their communities through the sale of eco-friendly and fair traded, locally made products. Products can be found in over 150 national retail stores.

Christine Hutchison and her husband Wells founded the company during their honeymoon five years ago. While there, they met a Balinese tour guide who told them how much difference five dollars a month can make to a Balinese family. While admiring the beautiful handbags and jewelry made by local artisans, the couple was inspired to start five ACCESSORIES, a company that embodies both their entrepreneurial and 
philosophic zeal."

Christine shares what it took to build this business up, with advice on:

✽    What it takes to start a wholesale business as a importer of global handicraft

✽    Where to identify trustworthy suppliers of fair trade products, if you don’t have the   
       freedom to travel around the world all year long

✽    What it takes to be Fair Trade Certified

✽    The one deadly mistake she made when starting her business, and her advice to 
       entrepreneurs on how to avoid making the same error

Listen to the free podcast here: http://ow.ly/rZrxs