Andean Collection Spring Line Released Today

Feb. 10, 2010 - PRLog -- NEW YORK, NY – The Andean Collection (AC) today announced its Spring 2010 Collection. Designed collaboratively by NYC designers and indigenous artisans in Ecuador, the Andean Collection uses all natural materials from the rainforests of South America to create fashion-forward pieces that fuse sustainability and style.

The AC, currently a frontrunner in the sustainable fashion industry, is also making an impact in mainstream fashion with its new on-trend bib necklaces. The Layered Chain Necklace (Retail $125, pictured above) introduces chain to the collection, which is expertly combined with the AC’s traditional rainforest materials, to create a bib necklace that is both edgy and sophisticated.  The Tagua Bib Necklace, available in rose pink, violet, titanium, tomato and teal, is a sculptural piece of wearable art.  Retailing at $78, this bib necklace exemplifies the Andean Collection’s focus on innovative design along with accessible price points.

Classic favorites, such as the Açaí Necklace ($54) and Tagua Bracelets ($24) are available in new spring colors, such as lilac, titanium, nude and sea green.  These softer hues, add a new depth and fresh mood to the line, while also
complementing the AC’s existing array of bright staple colors, including lava red and turquoise.

The new line will be featured at the Ethical Fashion Preview of Nolcha Fashion Week: New York at The Bo Concept Studio on February 11, 2010. Wholesalers and retailers can visit www.theandeancollection.com to view and purchase the new line as of today.

Amanda Judge, owner and designer of the Andean Collection, founded the company while earning her M.A. in Law and Diplomacy from The Fletcher School at Tufts University where she studied survival strategies for women in extreme poverty. Her research on this topic led her to the indigenous artisans of northern Ecuador who create jewelry from eco-friendly, rainforest seeds. In order to introduce these natural materials to the U.S. market and to increase the standard of living for these artisans, Judge created The Andean Collection in September 2008. She currently resides in Manhattan’s East Village.

The AC currently manufactures custom and branded pieces for large, national retail chains and is also available in over 80 high-end boutiques nationwide, including eco-fashion boutique Sustainable NYC in Manhattan. Customers can also purchase the new spring line online at www.theandeancollection.com where prices range from $14 to $125.

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The Andean Collection is a New York-based jewelry company that creates fair trade and eco-friendly jewelry,
designed collaboratively by NYC designers and indigenous artisans of Ecuador. Its fashion forward jewelry is made from eco-friendly materials, responsibly sourced from the rainforests of South America. The underlying goal behind the AC is to provide a path out of poverty for its artisans and their families. Social programs are carried out through its non-profit arm, the Andean Project, which is funded by a portion of the AC’s profits. The Andean Project carries out small-scale development projects in the artisan’s communities and also pays for the fees associated with secondary school education in Ecuador for the artisans and their children. To learn more, please visit: www.theandeancollection.com or www.theandeancollection.blogspot.com.