Recently there have been many reports about the dangerous side of the fashion industry.

The environmental impact of fast fashion and poor working conditions in textile factories have caught the world’s attention.

With the light now exposed on the dark-side of fashion, the industry can no longer remain silent.

The State of Fashion report says that for 2019, the demand for supply chain transparency and sustainability will be higher than ever.

The industry has already seen a breakthrough through businesses that have a positive social impact through fashion.

This is the first blog in a series that will share the brands that are fashionably good.

We are excited to put the spotlight on Toms, Gandys, DeMellier and Hopeful Traders. Each brand is unique in their own way and we hope you are as inspired by their social missions as we are.

TOMS

TOMS is a social enterprise with a One for One business model. At first it started with shoes – for every pair of shoes purchased, Toms gives a pair to a child in need.

The product range has since expanded and the One for One model now provides eye care, clean water and helps to deliver safe births.

Gandys

Gandys was founded by brothers Rob and Paul after experiencing devastating personal tragedy from the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami in Asia. Through their company, the brothers have set up the Gandys Foundation, which uses profits to make a difference to disadvantaged children in developing countries.

Gandys products are essential for inspiring travellers to embrace all weather conditions including warm winter essentials, trendy backpacks and beautifully designed flip-flops and they take pride with having an ethical supply chain.

DeMellier

DeMellier produce beautifully made luxury leather goods, and every bag purchased funds lifesaving vaccinations and treatments, aimed to save the life of a child in the developing world. This initiative is called ‘A Bag, A Life’ and they work in collaboration with orphan charity SOS Children’s Villages to make a difference.

Creating products with integrity and being socially conscious is the foundation to this brand and DeMellier only work with suppliers who have fair working conditions and a safe environment.

To be sustainable and avoid waste, they produce in limited quantities but that doesn’t stop them having an extensive product range which has attracted a celebrity following.

Hopeful Traders

Hopeful Traders have a collection of ethical and sustainable fashion designed in collaboration with people affected by homelessness and mental illness.

They have a range of sweatshirts, t-shirts, hoodies and bags which are made by Fairwear Foundation Certified Manufacturers. You can even buy notebooks made with recycled paper.

Hopeful Traders provides a real opportunity for those people affected by homelessness and mental health issues by using their creativity to make a difference.

Fashion with purpose

All four of the social enterprises in this blog show that you can make a real positive difference to people’s lives through the fashion industry.

We look forward to bringing you more fashion with purpose businesses.

Look out for future blogs in the Social Impact with Fashion series and if you want to learn more about the Social Enterprise Business Model click here.

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