5 fashion brands putting women first

Written By Daniella Siebert
When I was seven years old, I received a coveted Spice Girls tattoo maker and the movie, Spice World, on VHS for Christmas.
 
Little did my mom know that this would teach me to love tattoos (and get one or two that weren't so zigazig ahmazing).
 
But it also taught me about GRLPWR. I like to think that's the time when my heart for women started growing. And that's why I love supporting brands that empower and support women. A few facts for you ladies, because #knowledge:
  • Women spend a disproportionate amount of time doing unpaid care work
  • They spend an average of 1-3 hours more a day on housework than men
  • Women care for children or extended family members up to 10 times more per day than men
  • Women earn about 60-75% less than what men earn, globally
  • Women often work informal, unpaid jobs, with less mobility in formal job settings and unequal representation in unions

(Fair Trade Winds has a really nice infographic that explains that goes into wonderful detail.) But when more women work, economies grow. An increase in female labor force participation results in faster economic growth. Period. Here are five brands that helping to do just that.

1. ABLE

Headquartered in Nashville, ABLE is a lifestyle brand focused on ending generational poverty through providing economic opportunity for women. "While living in Ethiopia, Barrett Ward saw firsthand how extreme poverty forced young women, generation after generation, to resort to prostitution as a means of supporting themselves and their families.

The goal was to provide an alternative that would give these women an opportunity to earn a living, empowering them to end the cycle of poverty that kept them trapped. Armed with multiple studies illustrating how the employment of women benefits and strengthens the entire community, the ABLE team set out on a mission to end generational poverty, one job at a time." With everything from freakin' gorgeous leather bags and shoes to scarves and denim, this brand has it all. If you're local to Columbus, Ohio, you can find a selection of ABLE products at Edwin Loy Home.

2. Starfish Project

Starfish Project is a jewelry brand that helps exploited women and girls experience freedom, establish independence and develop careers.

"Starfish Project restores hope to exploited women in Asia. We provide life-changing opportunities through our Holistic Care Programs and our social enterprise where women create beautiful jewelry and become managers, accountants, graphic designers, and photographers. Through our Holistic Care Programs, we provide vocational training, healthcare, shelter, counseling, and education grants for our women and their children. Starfish Project has employed over 130 women and has served thousands through our Community Outreach Services." I own a pair of their druzy stud earrings and I lurrrrve them to pieces!

3. Fair Trade Winds

This online retailer partners with fair trade brands around the world to empower women, end human trafficking and more. They offer flat out gorgeous clothing, bags, jewelry and other accessories. "Fair trade products support women around the world by providing opportunities to market their talents. Each product is handcrafted by a hardworking woman who is able to live her dream of becoming self-reliant and supporting her family.

Fair trade gives women the chance to earn a living for themselves. They can provide for their families without relying on their husbands or others. Women working in fair trade cooperatives have the opportunity to become leaders among their peers. Many fair trade workers become entrepreneurs, enlisting other women to work with and for them. Women and men work equally in fair trade organizations with no prejudice towards gender, age, religion, or other personal orientation."

4. Tribe Alive

Tribe Alive is a clothing, accessories and home goods brand made by women, for women. (I am especially obsessed with their pillow cover.) "Our passion for quality handmade made products and responsible commerce is a platform that empowers women to raise themselves out of poverty across the world. We partner with female artisans in Guatemala, Haiti, India, Honduras, and Fortworth, Texas, to employ at-risk women at living wages. Our studios create work environments, dependable income, and empower our artisans to determine their own futures. Because we believe in knowing where our products come from, we work on location at our studios around the globe. We work with women we know. We work with women we respect."

5. Raven + Lily

Not only do Raven + Lily's designs involve women at every stage of production, but their clothes are also handmade, carbon neutral, fair trade, eco-friendly and all purchases give back to a micro-loan program supporting female entrepreneurs in East Africa. They "partner with artisan women to create modern, handcrafted products that empower the women who make them and the women who wear them." I mean, how perfect is that?!

Want more? Check out this post with a list of more than 55 conscious brands you need to know.

When I was seven years old, I received a coveted Spice Girls tattoo maker and the movie, Spice World, on VHS for Christmas.

Little did my mom know that this would teach me to love tattoos (and get one or two that weren't so zigazig ahmazing).

But it also taught me about GRLPWR. I like to think that's the time when my heart for women started growing. And that's why I love supporting brands that empower and support women. A few facts for you ladies, because #knowledge:

  • Women spend a disproportionate amount of time doing unpaid care work

  • They spend an average of 1-3 hours more a day on housework than men

  • Women care for children or extended family members up to 10 times more per day than men

  • Women earn about 60-75% less than what men earn, globally

  • Women often work informal, unpaid jobs, with less mobility in formal job settings and unequal representation in unions

(Fair Trade Winds has a really nice infographic that explains that goes into wonderful detail.) But when more women work, economies grow. An increase in female labor force participation results in faster economic growth. Period. Here are five brands that helping to do just that.

1. ABLE

Our love language? New shoes. We’re bringing more sophisticated day-to-night styles, with clean silhouettes and pops of fun color to Fall 18. Take our shoe quiz to find your perfect solemate ✨ link in bio! #myABLE

A post shared by ABLE (@livefashionable) on Aug 15, 2018 at 7:19am PDT

Headquartered in Nashville, ABLE is a lifestyle brand focused on ending generational poverty through providing economic opportunity for women. "While living in Ethiopia, Barrett Ward saw firsthand how extreme poverty forced young women, generation after generation, to resort to prostitution as a means of supporting themselves and their families.

The goal was to provide an alternative that would give these women an opportunity to earn a living, empowering them to end the cycle of poverty that kept them trapped. Armed with multiple studies illustrating how the employment of women benefits and strengthens the entire community, the ABLE team set out on a mission to end generational poverty, one job at a time." With everything from freakin' gorgeous leather bags and shoes to scarves and denim, this brand has it all. If you're local to Columbus, Ohio, you can find a selection of ABLE products at Edwin Loy Home.

2. Starfish Project

New rose gold! All these pieces are assembled, produced, sourced, inspected, photographed, accounted for, and shipped by formerly exploited women at Starfish Project. Because you purchase jewelry, trafficked women will experience freedom, establish independence, and develop careers. Thank you @lilly_russell, @cherise_navidad, @carolinelaurenn, @kathleensheffield, @whitneyward10, @elisesween, @eliznear, @chariszen, @magdalene_hoy, @pvirgensilva, and @supertinypony for helping us name these pieces!.

A post shared by Starfish Project (@starfish_project) on Aug 4, 2018 at 9:07am PDT

Starfish Project is a jewelry brand that helps exploited women and girls experience freedom, establish independence and develop careers.

"Starfish Project restores hope to exploited women in Asia. We provide life-changing opportunities through our Holistic Care Programs and our social enterprise where women create beautiful jewelry and become managers, accountants, graphic designers, and photographers. Through our Holistic Care Programs, we provide vocational training, healthcare, shelter, counseling, and education grants for our women and their children. Starfish Project has employed over 130 women and has served thousands through our Community Outreach Services." I own a pair of their druzy stud earrings and I lurrrrve them to pieces!

3. Fair Trade Winds

Have you been eyeing a dress or two? You're in luck because all of our spring + summer styles are currently up to 50% off! What's even better? These pieces will take you right into those cooler fall days because they're super easy to layer. The Santorini Sundress is a favorite for its funky pink and blue ikat pattern and hidden pockets-woot woot! (As always, our artisans partners have already been paid in full!) #santorinisundress #fairtradestyle #madeinindia #ikatpattern #fairtradefashion #fashionista #ethicalstyle #ethicalfashion #slowfashion #instastyle #stylegram #fashionrevolution #summerfashion #fallfashion #layering #transitionpiece #hiddenpockets #welovepockets #dresseswithpockets @matatraders

A post shared by fairtradewinds (@fairtradewinds) on Aug 19, 2018 at 2:01pm PDT

This online retailer partners with fair trade brands around the world to empower women, end human trafficking and more. They offer flat out gorgeous clothing, bags, jewelry and other accessories. "Fair trade products support women around the world by providing opportunities to market their talents. Each product is handcrafted by a hardworking woman who is able to live her dream of becoming self-reliant and supporting her family.

Fair trade gives women the chance to earn a living for themselves. They can provide for their families without relying on their husbands or others. Women working in fair trade cooperatives have the opportunity to become leaders among their peers. Many fair trade workers become entrepreneurs, enlisting other women to work with and for them. Women and men work equally in fair trade organizations with no prejudice towards gender, age, religion, or other personal orientation."

4. Tribe Alive

We’re convinced that marigold is a neutral, and like Summer, we can’t let go of this stunning shade. ✨

A post shared by Tribe Alive (@tribealive) on Aug 2, 2018 at 6:09am PDT

Tribe Alive is a clothing, accessories and home goods brand made by women, for women. (I am especially obsessed with their pillow cover.) "Our passion for quality handmade made products and responsible commerce is a platform that empowers women to raise themselves out of poverty across the world. We partner with female artisans in Guatemala, Haiti, India, Honduras, and Fortworth, Texas, to employ at-risk women at living wages. Our studios create work environments, dependable income, and empower our artisans to determine their own futures. Because we believe in knowing where our products come from, we work on location at our studios around the globe. We work with women we know. We work with women we respect."

5. Raven + Lily

Meet the Day Cross Body, our most versatile new bag. It can be worn with the strap long, short or as a handbag. We love this new design and hope you do too! Made in by our wonderful #artisan partners in Ethiopia. . . . #sustainablefashion #ethicalfashion #handbags #fairtradefashion #fall2018 #newarrivals

A post shared by Raven + Lily (@ravenandlily) on Aug 17, 2018 at 9:18am PDT

Not only do Raven + Lily's designs involve women at every stage of production, but their clothes are also handmade, carbon neutral, fair trade, eco-friendly and all purchases give back to a micro-loan program supporting female entrepreneurs in East Africa. They "partner with artisan women to create modern, handcrafted products that empower the women who make them and the women who wear them." I mean, how perfect is that?!

Want more? Check out this post with a list of more than 55 conscious brands you need to know.

Sources:

Daniella Siebert
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