(fashio)NOBLE CAUSES

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.