The Alliance's Institute of Tailoring project, which helped refugees and immigrants become self-sufficient through sewing skills, to created the "Joy" clutch bag for holidays in 2013.

In 2013, The Alliance Institute of Tailoring, which helps refugees and immigrants become self-sufficient through sewing skills, created the JOY clutch for holiday. It was named for Houston Chronicle columnist Joy Sewing, who covered fashion at the time.

In 2013, I worked with The Alliance's Institute of Tailoring project to create the "Joy" clutch bag for the holidays. I was covering fashion then and was humbled to have an accessory named after me.

The bright-colored bags with gold elephant brooches as clasps sold for $50 at a swanky West Ave boutique. All of the proceeds went to the organization, which helped people from across the world settle in Houston's Gulfton area with food, clothing, job training, language classes, financial literacy, and other services.

The Alliance, a lifeline for........

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