Ep. 196 - From Disaster to Dignity: Building a Luxury Fashion Brand in Haiti

If you care about ethical fashion, women's leadership, and what it looks like to build change that lasts, this episode is for you.

Julie Colombino-Billingham, founder of luxury fashion brand Deux Mains, joins me to share how a background in disaster response and a life-changing season in post-earthquake Haiti led her from short-term aid to focusing on long-term economic freedom for Haitian people through incredible craftsmanship. We talk about the moment a Haitian woman told her, "I don't need water, but I need a job," and how that single sentence reshaped her understanding of what people actually need to rebuild. Julie walks me through how Deux Mains grew from tire sandals made in a tent into a fair trade, women-led brand now selling in Nordstrom and creating stable jobs for Haitian artisans. We also unpack what redefined "luxury" can mean when it's rooted in transparency, living wages, sustainable choices, and partnerships that adapt without compromising core values.

👍 Like, comment, and subscribe for more insights on changemaking.

🎧 Listen on your favorite podcast platform or watch on YouTube now!