Fashion Gives Back in Powerful Ways
With the summer weather fading, one of the best parts of cooler weather is coming: fall fashion. The weather creates combination outfits of summer tops with winter-style layers, which allows for a mixture of beanies and sunglasses. Looking around campus, some of the popular brands spotted include TOMS, DIFF Eyewear and Love Your Melon but not everyone knows that all three of these companies are charitable.
One of the most popular charitable brands is TOMS, known for their canvas slip-on shoes. TOMS was started in 2007, when founder Blake Mycoskie was traveling in South America and realized that some children were walking barefoot. He made it his mission to put a pair of shoes on every child without them. Mycoskie knew that he needed to create a for-profit business that would not have to rely strictly on donations.
For every pair of shoes purchased, TOMS donates a pair to a child in need. According to toms.com, the classic slip-on shoe is provided in over 70+ countries and “meets school uniform requirements”. There are four other styles donated around the world ranging from weather proof to sports shoes. In 2011, TOMS decided to expand beyond shoes. Every eyewear purchase donates to those with optical ailments, whether it be surgery, medical treatment or something as simple as needing eyeglasses. Also, a TOMS bag purchase provides training for birth attendants, so women who lack medical treatment can give birth in safe environments. Each backpack purchase trains a school staff or crisis counselor to aid the prevention of bullying in schools.
Spotted wearing TOMS on campus was junior Tara Mondo. “I did know TOMS was a charitable brand and knowing that makes it much easier for me to spend the money on them. Not only are the shoes cute and comfortable, but my money is going to a good cause,” she said. “I don’t have a Love Your Melon beanie yet, but I can’t wait to get one. It’s for such an amazing cause and I really think it helps spread awareness for children with cancer.”
DIFF Eyewear has blown up on social media over the last year. They can be recognized for their colorful lenses, ranging from turquoise and fuchsia to traditional black. DIFF Eyewear, whose logo reads “Charitable Eyewear” collaborates with well-known celebrities to create different styles. The list includes reality stars Kendall and Kylie Jenner, country singer and football wife Jessie James Decker and television personality Mario Lopez to name a few. The collaborators promote the sunglasses on social media platforms, such as Instagram, and offer a discount with the purchase of their product. Because of DIFF’s social media marketing, their product reaches an array of consumers.
For every one pair of sunglasses sold, DIFF donates eyewear to someone in need through their buy one, give one program. On top of providing eyewear, DIFF partners with Eyes on Africa, Restoring Vision and Svosh to provide eye exams, vision assistance and eye care treatment to many communities that do not have accessible eye treatments.
Another charitable brand is Love Your Melon, which was founded by two college students in 2012 as an assignment for an entrepreneurship course at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. According to loveyourmelon.com, Zachary Quinn and Brian Keller, the two students, wanted to put a hat on every child battling cancer in America. Love Your Melon’s knit beanies are spotted everywhere in the cooler months. With the purchase of every beanie, 50% of the profit is given to the nonprofit partners who work in pediatric oncology or fund cancer research initiatives. Families of children battling cancer can be assisted through the Love Your Melon company.
Their website cites donating over $2.6 million and well over 100,000 hats, but Love Your Melon does much more than just selling and giving hats. The charity has a Campus Crew program all over the United States; these crew members are “like-minded college students” whose goals are to assist pediatric cancer patients. The Campus Crew members represent the brand by planning and running beanie donation events. They also try to make the dreams of young cancer patients come true by planning day trips based on a child’s favorite activities.
Any college student can sign up to become a Campus Crew member through the Love Your Melon website. They accept beanie requests for children daily.
