Long
gone is the time when fashion was just about appearances and superficial
matters. Nowadays, fashion companies need to take into consideration global
concerns like global warming, the financial crisis, pollution, health and ways to
give back to the community and more importantly to those who don’t have it has
easy and live in more precarious conditions. Let’s take a closer look on a
couple of companies that built their business model around noble causes:
Blake
Mycoskie founded the idea of One for One, by buying a pair of shoes another
pair is donated to a child in need. An idea that came unexpectedly, while
travelling in Argentina back in 2006, Mycoskie was faced with the reality of
kids growing up bare feet. He came up with an easy and simple solution, yet one
that no one had attempted: create a non-profit business that would give these
kids a better lifestyle.
Currently,
they’ve donated over ten million pairs!
A non-governmental, non-profit organization
founded in 2002 by Wayuu modeal and actress Patricia Velasquez. The
company’s main focus is to improve the lives of Latin-American indigenous
communities by maintaining their traditions, cultures and beliefs. The proceeds from
the sales of the bags go to benefiting the Wayuu indigenous people, which are
made by these.
Founded in 2005 by Alu
Hewson and musician Bono, Edun strives for a positive change by its trading
relationship with Africa. Edun Live its sister line is a tshirt company made
100% in Africa, by supporting manufacturers, infrastructures and community
building initiatives it’s gaining more and more attention, eventually being
bought by the LVMH Group in 2009.
