Spread the L❤︎VE

This Valentine's Day, spend time with the people/person you love, and if you're going to spend money on gifts, shop with companies that change lives. Support your local fair trade organizations and social enterprises; you'll know exactly where your money is going. Besides, isn't V-Day about spreading the love?

Shop now.

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

❤︎ 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.