Date Published: 4/06/2016

The fashion industry dictates what and what not to wear, what is hot and what is not. In all honesty, who does not want to be stylish and look good, while at the same time wear something that is both ethical and eco-friendly? That is exactly what led me to create Eve; a premium fashion brand that stands for designer accessories that are meticulously and ethically handmade from natural cork fabric.

I have always had a strong connection with nature and a passion for animals. When I sold my last business, I was looking for something to do and came across some eye catching “cork” bags at a local aesthetic studio in a small town where I was living. I was amazed at the craftsmanship and could not believe that this gorgeous material was not leather despite its apparent durability and extreme softness. I asked the owner of the store where these were from, and she said “Portugal”. I went home to do a bit of research, only to learn that this eco-chic material was both a renewable resource and the products were 100% cruelty free. In addition, I learned that the harvesting of the cork is actually crucial to the management of Mediterranean cork forests and contributes to the health of the environment and natural wildlife. I was blown away when I found out cork was waterproof, fire-retardant, hypoallergenic, stain resistant and dirt repellent. On top of this, no animal products are used to manufacture product and the jobs it creates benefits the local economy. I could not understand how cork was not already being widely used in the fashion industry… and then a light went off. I’m an entrepreneur at heart and have started and sold successful, multimillion dollar companies my entire working life. I was looking for something to do and I saw a gap in the fashion industry that I needed to fill with this outstanding material and that is exactly why I started Eve.Â

I want to make cork the new leather.

My new mission was to educate the world about this amazing material. I saw the opportunity to bring these products to North America. I learned that cork was extremely versatile and that we could produce a wide range of fashion accessories. From handbags to iPhone cases, to wallet to purses, cork was proving to be more than something used to cork your favorite bottle of vino.Â

We would love to collaborate with The WishMaker and fashion influencer, Simonetta Lein. We know that she can bring an abundance of awareness to Eve and the importance of our ecologically and socially sustainable products. When you buy an Eve product, you can feel great knowing that you're contributing to the preservation of a natural, renewable resource and the Portuguese economy. April 22nd marks Earth Day, and my wish is to revolutionize the fashion industry with beautifully designed fashion accessories that are 100% cruelty-free and eco-friendly. Eve is fashion to feel good about.

I invite you to check out Eve's website: www.buyeveproducts.com