Altruistic Fashion

Sometimes the fashion industry seems so self-serving. Celebrities show up in the latest fashions like they're walking billboards for Marc Jacobs or Rag & Bone (and they get it all for free). Stylists homogenize the looks of their clients in an effort to influence the way the youth of America dress. All it seems to be anymore is MTV/youtube/myspace posturing. However, I am here to reassure you that there is still good to be had in the fashion industry and it comes in the guise of selfless charities. As someone with a passion for human rights and environmental activism I am always hunting out ways to perpetuate my idealism just a little longer (I hear it's all downhill after college). Here are some fashion-related ways you can give back to the world:

The Women's Alliance takes In-Kind Donations of 1) Personal grooming and body care products, 2)New hosiery, 3) Plus-size professional attire, 4) Prize donations to support our annual silent auctions, 5) Professional accessories and 6) Wide-width shoes. Visit their website for more information.

Safe Home, a battered women's shelter, takes In-Kind clothing donations. Check their website for monthly updated lists of specific clothing needs.

Stop Domestic Violence takes In-Kind clothing donations. Check their website for more information.

Planet Aid, which focuses on protecting the environment and creating sustainable development in Africa and Asia, takes clothing donations, which they then sell. They use the profits from these sales to help their organization. Visit their website for details.

Clothing for Charity takes a unique spin on donating. It is a site destination for designers to sell any of their designs or art, but they insist that the profits made from sales on the site be given to charities. Check it out.

Donations Central is an ingenious web tool that searches for places in your area that take clothing donations.

Bamboosa, a eco-friendly fashion destination, donates 1% of profits to environmental causes.

Diana Warner creates gorgeous, sustainable and wearable accessories for the socially conscious. Each piece has a message.

Positivitee donates $5 of each purchase to charity. Now that's guilt-free shopping!


Textile Recycling for Aid and International Development is based in the UK has the noble goal of reclaiming "clothing and shoes [to] help to divert waste from landfill and further sustainable development projects in some of the poorest regions of the world." Check out their website for how you can help.



Activism is now only a mouse-click away!