W+D Loves: 31 Bits

When I first clicked on the 31 Bits website, I was so taken aback by the gorgeous styling that I almost missed the amazing story behind it.

In fact, 31 Bits was founded by 5 socially-conscious college students with a passion for empowering women to rise above poverty. During a trip to Northern Uganda in 2007, they met women who were making beautiful paper beads, but had no method to sell them. That’s where 31 Bits was born. They create beautiful, versatile pieces from the beads design by women in Uganda. When they first started, they were working with 6 women. It has since grown to 99. Pretty amazing, right?

Take a look at their site. I love their product offering, not to mention the gorgeous styling. Props to 31 Bits, making beautiful things that help empower women.

Styling by Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings.
Photography by Trever Hoehne
19 Comments

love this necklaces!

H* added these words on Feb 23 12 at 4:26 am

Brilliant! The photography and styling are impeccable, and I just love the story behind it. How wonderful to use a sense of aesthetics and fashion as a force for good! And like you said, beautiful things to empower women. I just love it!

http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

Nomadic D added these words on Feb 23 12 at 7:00 am

The styling and photography is beautiful. And I believe I read about this collection a year or so ago when Promise modeled for the line. I could be wrong. It’s still lovely, though!

Jennifer added these words on Feb 23 12 at 7:33 am

splendidly awesome. thanks for sharing this amazing concept and beautiful jewelry.

mandy added these words on Feb 23 12 at 9:23 am

i LOVE this! like you said, the styling is beautiful but the products themselves and the story are just great. thanks for sharing.

ale @ http://www.24thru30.blogspot.com

ale norris added these words on Feb 23 12 at 11:49 am

This is such a wonderful back story and the pieces and styling are impeccable. Great use of color and I absolutely love the top photo with the layering of the shirt,cardigan and blazer with the layering necklaces. It is wonderful that we get to experience these beautiful creations that are empowering these talented women. So amazing that it is growing so rapidly!

http://champagnecocktailscashmeredreams.blogspot.com

cashmeredreams added these words on Feb 23 12 at 12:48 pm

Incredible find Kate. Love, love their mission and brand. Thanks for sharing!

sola added these words on Feb 23 12 at 2:42 pm

These necklaces are so pretty! And they go greatly with the outfits used.

Stephany Jones added these words on Feb 23 12 at 7:54 pm

[...] look at their site. I love their product offering, not to mention the gorgeous styling. Props to 31 Bits, making beautiful things that help empower women. (via Wit+delight) Want to share this?ShareShare [...]

31bits | delight: to make some one feel added these words on Feb 24 12 at 4:50 am

I want every single necklace! I love stories like this, companies doing good.

Cookie and Kate added these words on Feb 24 12 at 1:20 pm

too funy – they were going to be my post for Monday! xo

Erin added these words on Feb 24 12 at 5:18 pm

Hi all!!! Sooooo exciting to see 31 Bits featured here. Just in case anyone was wondering, the photography was by Trever Hoehne with styling by me–Summer Watkins of Grey Likes Weddings. :)

xoxoxxo

Summer added these words on Feb 25 12 at 2:11 am

thanks for sharing, Kate. it’s so good to see more and more entrepreneurs aiming their efforts at Africa. i’m so in love with the styling in their catalogues — actually spent hours browsing their blog in search of the top photo from your collage — to no avail, unfortunately. do you remember where you found it by any chance? (it’s the “headless” navy blazer one)

J Koes added these words on Feb 25 12 at 2:35 am

solved! just found it on your pinterest!

J Koes added these words on Feb 25 12 at 2:49 am

What a great find! You gotta love jewelry with a bigger purpose than just being beautiful :)

Haley added these words on Feb 27 12 at 7:57 pm

[...] women profit from this program. nothing warms my heart like great design for a great cause. (via wit+delight) Share this:TwitterFacebookLike this:LikeBe the first to like this [...]

design for mankind « et al.lison added these words on Mar 01 12 at 9:55 pm

I love any product that empowers women.

Donna Rose added these words on Mar 04 12 at 9:42 am

Like everyone’s been saying, the styling is genius! I love the naturalness of the beads with the classic blazers and button-downs.

Whitney added these words on Mar 08 12 at 7:50 am

I love the story behind this! And such beautiful pieces!

Hannah added these words on Mar 20 12 at 3:35 pm