Vesko Lee

Julie Colombino-Billingham, the founder of Deux Mains, is a humanitarian entrepreneur who turned tragedy into purpose. After witnessing the devastation of the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Julie met a woman who said, “I don’t want money. I need a job.” That moment inspired a lifelong mission to create dignity through work, not charity.

What began as disaster relief has become a globally recognized Fair Trade Verified luxury brand and the only women-owned, solar-powered leather goods factory in Haiti. Each piece is handcrafted from locally sourced or upcycled materials, blending heritage craftsmanship with modern design.

With global partnerships including Nordstrom, the United Nations, and Eileen Fisher, and her memoir From Loss to Legacy, Julie continues to prove that fashion can be both beautiful and transformative, redefining luxury as a vehicle for empowerment, purpose, and lasting change.

On your podcast, Julie would love to talk about:
Dignity Through Design: How Fashion Creates Opportunity, Not Charity
Luxury with Purpose: The Ethics and Impact Behind Deux Mains
From Disaster to Legacy: Building a Women-Led Fashion Movement in Haiti
Empowering Artisans: The Human Stories Behind Every Handcrafted Bag
Sustainable Style: How Upcycled Materials and Solar Power Are Shaping Ethical Luxury
A few questions Julie would love to be asked during an interview:
What inspired you to start Deux Mains, and how did the 2010 Haiti earthquake shape your mission?
How does Deux Mains combine luxury design with ethical craftsmanship?
Can you explain the significance of creating jobs instead of providing charity?
How do you ensure your products are sustainably and responsibly made?
What challenges have you faced as a female entrepreneur leading a Fair Trade Verified, solar-powered factory in Haiti?
How does Deux Mains empower women artisans and transform communities?
What role does upcycling and circular design play in your collections?
How do global partnerships with brands like Nordstrom and the UN impact your mission?
What lessons have you learned about leadership, resilience, and social entrepreneurship?
What do you hope readers take away from your upcoming memoir, From Loss to Legacy?