On another part of the globe, specifically Afghanistan, there are at least 450 Afghans in the apparel and accessory industry whose chances of attending a catwalk show is from slim no none.

Yet, in today’s global economy, they are part and parcel of the fashion industry, no matter how big or small their contributions are. Hence, it is heartwarming to hear the news that Pantone donated color guides to Afghanistan's Women Entrepreneurs to train these women in the fashion and home accessory industries to use color communication guides and color forecasting books for local design and production.

These professional tools, which typically retail for $165 - $795 each, would ordinarily be far out of reach for the fledgling entrepreneurs. A portion of the Pantone gift was delivered in person during a visit to Kabul of six Bpeace volunteers last December 2005.

The Business Council for Peace (Bpeace), a global nonprofit coalition of businesspeople volunteering to help women in war-torn countries grow sustainable businesses arranged the donation in kind.

"As the leader in packaged colors for design and production planning and reference, Pantone's donation is a priceless resource for our Afghan associates," said Toni Maloney, chair of Bpeace in a statement.

"Pantone is equipping our entrepreneurs with the tools they need for a color evolution in Afghanistan, which has been isolated by 25 years of war from the vibrancy that color brings to the rest of the world. Color is not something they take for granted," Maloney added.

The visit last December was Bpeace’s fourth call in Afghanistan. In its continuing mission to assist women entrepreneurs in war torn countries, Bpeace and its partner organization Women for Afghan Women won a seed grant from the US State Department to bring 12 talented Afghan women entrepreneurs in the apparel, accessories and home decor businesses to New York's fashion center to address their most critical needs-training and access to the global marketplace in 2005.

Working with top business leaders and educators in an intensive three-week development program, the trainees attended specially- tailored classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology and on-site work sessions with designers and retailers.

For more information about Bpeace, please log on: www.bpeace.org