Fashion Cares: Mixing high style with high morals

In recent years, fashion companies have been dealing with negative press in light of investigative reports that have exposed inhumane and dangerous manufacturing conditions, environmental degradation and an overall lack of corporate responsibility. However, not all fashion companies are failing on the moral report card. At Pink&Harmony we aim to select apparel lines that have a mission to not only create fashionable merchandise, but that also infuse compassion and social responsibility into their corporate identity. The following companies and products (all found at Pink&Harmony) are doing just that.

Threads 4 Thought

Threads for Thought produces stylish tees, cardigans and knitwear that utilizes sustainable fabrics such as organic cotton and polyester recycled from plastic water bottles. In addition, they donate a portion of their proceeds to two charities: The International Rescue Committee and The Natural Resources Defense Council. Their company mission is to, “Be responsible world citizens and positive contributors to a sustainable future. We create clothing from sustainable materials, build factories that respect their employees, sell clothing that is affordable and pursue quality above all else.”

*Celebrities wearing Threads4Thought Tees

All Black Footwear

A couple years ago the lead designer at All Black, Colin Lin, was becoming increasingly disturbed by the sheer amount of waste in the world and the damaging effects of global warming. So she decided to do something about it. Last year she created “Hot News” flats, vegan shoes that are made from recycled newspaper that have been coated in plastic and woven together. Each pair uses just three pages of newsprint and is handcrafted with the help of cottage industry artists in China, cutting back on factory production methods and making every shoe one of kind. All Black has since made it a mission to use various types of recycled materials to create some of the most innovative shoes on the market.

Hot News Flats $98.00

Melissa Shoes

Brazilian shoemaker Melissa Shoes has taken a quantum leap forward in eco-fashion footwear. Melissa Shoes are made from MELFLEX plastic, patented, hypoallergenic, recyclable, and extremely flexible PVC. The shoes are totally cruelty free and devoid of animal products. The Brazilian-based company recycles 99.9% of factory water and waste, and they also go the distance by recycling overstock styles into next season’s collection. Even better? Melissa Shoes employees are paid above average wages and benefits.

ZIG ZAG Flats $42.00

!It Jeans

Project Comfort to Need:!It created In the Loop to bring awareness to the courage of the people of Africa in the work to end hunger. With every purchase of “Love” jeans, !It donates a portion to The Hunger Project. The Hunger Project is a global, non-profit, strategic organization committed to the sustainable end of world hunger. In Africa, South Asia and Latin America, THP seeks to end hunger and poverty by empowering people to lead lives of self-reliance, meet their own basic needs and build better futures for their children.

"Love" Jeans $72.00

Orijyn-Handcrafted Silver Jewelry

Orijyn’s goal is to introduce a talented group of artisans in Laos to self-sustaining business practices that empower themselves, their families and communities. With this direct-to-the-source revenue stream, Orijyn can preserve age-old skills and attract future generations to the craft. In turn, they improve the standard of living for families and the entire village by donating additional revenue to PADETC, a non-profit school in Laos that preserves traditional art forms while improving education and healthcare through revenue development for the artisans. As Laos’ culture evolves and its products become commercialized, many of the master handcraft skills are being lost. By supporting these crafts, Orijyn helps to sustain the community culture and supply much-needed income, preventing families from having to migrate to the city to find commoditized, low paying work.