VIP unlimited
BANDING TOGETHER - SCRAPS AND ALL When accessory designer Leigh Ann Barnes began creating her high end clutches for specialty stores in 2010 she realized the amount of leather waste each style produced. If her small company was producing this much waste, weren’t others? She wanted to create a product that would use the leather remnants and at the same time give women jobs here in the U.S., especially ones who were trying to rebuild their lives. Barnes created VIP Unlimited Bands, which debuted this past June at the Atlanta Apparel Mart. In less than three days, she sold over 1,000 bands to specialty stores around the country. Each band features exclusive designer remnants of Italian leather, lambskin, snakeskin, embossed patent leather and artisan original hand-painted leather. The small leather cuff that converts into a ponytail tie carries an important message: they are assembled by Very Important People (VIP’s), survivors of domestic violence. From Los Angeles, CA to Athens, GA, these women residing in the shelters’ transitional housing have the opportunity to earn money while in a safe healing environment. They are trained by Barnes and are paid to make the product. “They are my manufacturers,” she explains. “Women are paid per band, so nearly 85% of the production cost benefit these women. This is helping women create their own American dream,” says Barnes. The story of the bands and how they are made domestically by women are featured on the VIP gift card. “The program is limitless. We’re already collaborating with other designers to create custom lines for them. Whether we use their remnants or help with the design, our VIP team is ready to begin.”
$18 Transforms from a cuff bracelet to a stylish ponytail
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$18 Created from luxe remnants - handbag designers’ leftover hidden treasures
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Thin leather headbands
$25
$25
Adjustable leather headbands
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Wide leather headbands
$40
Headache-“less” headbands… no more pressure! Our patent-pending tension based headbands allow the customer to adjust the fit throughout the day.
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Handmade in the USA
thank you for supporting our VIP team
Connect with us www.vipunlimitedbands.com @vipunlimited_bands