Guess what day it is? Paycheck day! What does that mean for all of you fashionistas? It’s time to go shopping! If you’re anyone like me, your father just looked at you with a giant eye-roll because he knows how this day will end. You will completely splurge and then try to explain every reason you can think of for why you NEEDED that black mini dress.
Black mini dresses, for example, are a staple for any woman. You can dress them up or dress them down. You can wear them out clubbing or you can wear them to work. It’s tempting to dive head first into mass retail stores such as Forever 21 and Free People, but maybe it’s time to become more open-minded and explore other avenues that will give you a legitimate reason the next time you have to explain why your large purchase was a necessity.
Before you judge and disagree, hear me out. There are actually a ton of brands out there selling products that are not only ADORABLE, but affordable. You heard me correctly; you won’t have to spend your entire paycheck anymore. Secondly, these brands have a mission beyond making a profit; these brands give back to a variety of charities all over the world. So basically I am telling you if you open your mind to try one of these brands, you can find items that will stand out because they are uniquely yours for a cheaper price AND you are giving back to your community. So stop feeding mass retailers your entire paycheck and check out these brands below!
Fashion Project
“Fashion as a force for good. Whether you’re donating clothing, upgrading your wardrobe, or starting a fundraiser, together we can raise money for charity.” Launched in 2012 by Harvard Law graduates Anna Palmer and Christine Rizk, Fashion Project has inspired a new trend in the fashion industry which allows you to donate designer clothing and maximize the value, and then 55 percent of the proceeds from the purchased item will go towards any cause chosen by the donor. When you first go on their website, you have the choice of donating clothing or shopping for good. Fashion Project partners with Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and is currently launching in-store donation programs with Nordstrom, Helmut Lang, Joie, Milly, and Elie Tahari. How can you get involved? Begin by requesting a pre-paid donation bag from their website, fill it up and ship it (don’t worry about the costs, Fashion Project has that covered). Donations are then presented in a photo shoot to appear on their website and boutique so they can find a new home. Once your donated item is purchased, you will also receive a tax receipt for your records and 55 percent of the proceeds goes to support an amazing charity. So far, Fashion Project has raised $739, 898 for charity. They are currently supporting 2,012 charities with 326,830 items donated.
Satya Jewelry
This brand was founded and designed by the beautiful philanthropist, yoga teacher, and Reiki healer, Satya Scainetti. Satya stands for “truth” in Sanskrit, so she takes the meaning of her name and brand and places it into each piece of jewelry. Her greatest hope is for her jewelry to inspire each wearer to find their own personal truth and journey. This idea came with the creation of The Satya Foundation that provides children all over the world with “hope, change and the opportunity to fulfill their destinies.”
Warby Parker
This eyewear brand has a buy a 'pair, give a pair' campaign. The process is extremely simple. You first purchase a pair of Warby Parker glasses and then the company will tally up the number of glasses sold for the month and match the price with a donation to their nonprofit partners. The nonprofit companies then train men and women in developing countries on providing eye exams and selling glasses at affordable prices. This process helps struggling men and women in developing countries work hard and spread awareness. A single pair of glasses has been proven to increase productivity by 35 percent and increase monthly income by 20 percent. There are currently 703 million people currently living without access to proper eyewear, but Warby Parker has already trained over 18,000 people in over 35 countries.
FEED
After returning from inspiring trips in Asia, Latin America, and Africa, where the World Food Program (WFP) is operating, Lauren Bush founded FEED in 2007 to “create good products that help FEED the world.” This handbag brand has the number ‘1’ printed on the bags to represent each bag providing enough meals to feed one child in school for one entire year. FEED has since been able to provide over 87 million meals globally with their partner WFP and Feeding America. The brand has also created successful partnerships with companies such as Target, Disney, Pottery Barn, Gap, Tory Burch, DKNY and TOMS.
Lemlem
"By employing traditional weavers, we’re trying to break their cycle of poverty, at the same time preserving the art of weaving while creating modern, casual, comfortable stuff that we really want to wear," says supermodel and maternal health advocate, Liya Kebede. Kebede founded this brand in 2007 when she felt the need to preserve this art form while creating job opportunities for these weavers in developing countries. Lemlem is handmade in Ethopia from natural cotton and rooted in tradition with a modern touch.
Sevenly
This t-shirt brand exists to bring funding and awareness to a variety of needy causes. Sevenly has a different charity every week and donates seven percent of the week’s proceeds. The brand has already raised $4,441,171 to date.
I have a feeling I probably just introduced you to your new favorite store. Thankfully, you don’t have to feel guilty anymore for spending your entire paycheck ,because even if you still manage to do some financial damage, you’re still giving back and therefore, everyone is happy. Not to mention there is something so empowering about dressing up to make the world a better place. You purchased some hot new styles while giving back to then children and animals of the world. What could be better than that, daddy?
