By: Stephanie Tipple
Fashion Columnist

As the holiday season begins to settle in and Christmas is in the foreseeable future, the season of giving kicks into full swing. While many may only consider charitable works and donations to be crucial during this holiday time of year, there are actually many retailers who give back year-round helping charities and community groups around the world. You may not even realize that one of your favorite retailers could be one of these charitable companies, and it’s time that we give them a round of applause for what they’re doing to help others while still selling fashionable products.

If you’ve been on a college campus or even just out in the public lately, it’s hard to not notice everyone who is sporting a pair of TOMS shoes. TOMS is a company on the rise, and while they provide comfortable and high quality footwear for those who value fashion and function, they are also a retailer who knows the importance of giving back. TOMS charitable endeavor is called the “One for One Movement” and promises that for each pair of shoes and sunglasses purchased that another of that item will be donated to a child in need. When you consider that each pair of these shoes retails for less than $50, it’s clear that buying a pair of TOMS is good for your fashion sense – and the community.

Another company, Edun, is a company with celebrity ties and philanthropic efforts. This clothing line launched by U2’s Bono and his wife Ali Hewson promises to put out truly beautiful clothing while also finding more stable and sustainable employment opportunities for works in Third World countries and developing parts of the world. Along with giving this opportunity for workers to make a fair wage in these developing countries, the Edun line also features organic clothing materials and are made in environmentally conscious ways in Peru, India and Africa. While their items may be an investment, you can feel confident in these high quality goods that were made with fair labor practices.

Do you absolutely love to buy pieces by top-notch designers but for a good cause? Then considering picking up a piece by Diane von Furstenberg. An independent woman and highly successful designer, Furstenberg works with an organization called Vital Voices who help women all over the world move into important leadership roles in their community. If you’re a feminist, or even if you want to see more women in leadership, then you need to look at Furstenberg’s line. Through International Women’s Week, up to 10 percent of her sales in the DVF line are donated to the charity to aid these women.

So the next time someone knocks your newest retail purchase or says that retailers don’t care about others, use these examples and take them into account next time you’re looking to make a fashion purchase with a conscience.

By: Stephanie Tipple

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