Julie Colombino-Billingham Releases From Loss to Legacy

LAKE WORTH, FL – When aid worker Julie Colombino-Billingham arrived in Haiti following the catastrophic 2010 earthquake, she planned to stay just a few weeks. She stayed for years, and what began as a humanitarian mission became a life’s purpose. Her new book, From Loss to Legacy: How a Fashion Business Rose From Haiti’s Rubble, tells the remarkable true story of how compassion, courage, and community can rebuild lives in the aftermath of disaster.

In her moving and inspirational memoir, Colombino-Billingham recounts how she created DeuxMains, a fair-trade fashion line created in collaboration with Haitian artisans, weaving the strands of tragedy into a model of empowerment and dignity. What began as a small endeavor to provide jobs has evolved into an internationally recognized, employee-owned company with the backing of organizations such as the United Nations, Kenneth Cole, Eileen Fisher, USAID, the Clinton Foundation, the Fair Trade Federation, and Nordstrom.

“It’s more than just the story of a business,” Colombino-Billingham states. “It’s the story of identity, healing, and hope.” Through her vivid storytelling, From Loss to Legacy reveals not only the chaos and heartbreak of Haiti’s post-earthquake reality, but also the resilience and ingenuity of its people. Each chapter offers a window into how sustainable enterprise and empathy can spark recovery in communities long defined by hardship.

Proceeds from all book sales will be donated to REBUILD globally, Colombino-Billingham’s nonprofit that fights poverty in Haiti via education and job training. The nonprofit is focused on long-term solutions rather than short-term aid, helping vulnerable populations rebuild through opportunity and self-reliance.

Deux Mains is French for ‘two hands,’ because behind every product we make is the hand of an artisan rebuilding their life with dignity. The values and craftsmanship of her brand have earned international accolades for uniting sustainable luxury with social good, leadership redefined with purpose in fashion.

From Loss to Legacy also offers readers a glimpse into Colombino-Billingham’s own metamorphosis, from relief worker to businesswoman, from sorrow to mission. Her innovative disaster recovery model has been praised for showing that the best help is not handouts, but a hand up.

Actor and humanitarian Sean Penn described the memoir as “clear and honest recollections that put the reader at the epicenter of the most challenged and resilient culture in the Western Hemisphere.”

From Loss to Legacy: How a Fashion Business Rose From Haiti’s Rubble will be available November 4, 2025, in paperback, hardcover, and e-book.

The book’s in-person launch party is in West Palm Beach on December 12th, 5:30-8:00 pm EST. To RSVP: courtney@publicityforgood.com

To find out more, visit www.loss-to-legacy.com.

Publication Details

Publisher: Bold Story Press | Paperback ISBN: 978-1-954805-76-7 | E-Book ISBN: 978-1-954805-77-4 | Hardcover ISBN: 978-1-954805-97-2

About Julie Colombino-Billingham

Julie Colombino-Billingham is the founder of Deux Mains, a global fair-trade fashion company in Haiti dedicated to creating dignified jobs and sustainable impact. A former aid worker, she arrived in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake and transformed her experience into a movement for empowerment and economic resilience. Colombino-Billingham is a finalist for the 2025 United Nations We Empower grant, a recipient of the 2018 Southern Living Beauty Award, and holds an MBA from Rollins Crummer Graduate School of Business. From Loss to Legacy is her powerful memoir of transformation, purpose, and rebuilding hope from the ground up.

About Deux Mains

Deux Mains is a fair-trade fashion brand in Haiti that creates premium, sustainable leather goods handcrafted by local artisans. Its name, meaning “two hands” in French, reflects the human touch behind every piece. By blending timeless craftsmanship with responsible materials, Deux Mains empowers communities, supports education, and drives economic renewal across Haiti, proving that fashion can be both ethical and enduring.

About REBUILD

REBUILD globally is a non-profit organization fighting poverty in Haiti through education and job training programs. They address the complex issues of poverty by identifying the most vulnerable populations and targeting the root problem – the lack of education and job readiness. Their goal is to replace the conventional methods of charitable aid with a thriving social entrepreneurial ecosystem.