Stylish Brands That Give Back
Photo courtesy of Kenneth Cole
Seven Stylish Brands That Make Looking Good While Giving Back Look Easy
By Corey Kelly for AskMen.com
In the fashion world, trends come and go faster than a New York minute. But a designer’s motive to give back to an entire community never goes out of style.
Enter philanthro-fashion — the charitable act in which a designer or brand helps make the world a better place through consumer transactions. Nowadays, brands like TOMS, FEED, and Warby Parker easily come to mind thanks to their philanthropic business models and socially-conscious efforts to help bring awareness to important causes. However, the fashion industry’s revived interest in all things charitable wouldn’t have gained momentum without the hustle and hard work of one notable New York City-based shoe designer.
Photo courtesy of Kenneth Cole
“From early on, I sought to combine my passion for business and social causes,” says designer Kenneth Cole, a trailblazing pioneer in the philanthro-fashion movement. “I’ve always wanted my business to do something more than just sell product, [and] I wanted it to be part of something meaningful.”
Since the early ‘80s, Kenneth Cole has paved the way for other philanthropic fashion brands to thrive in today’s fickle marketplace.
“In many ways, we’ve pioneered this space as one of the first brands to speak out on important social issues that no one else would,” Kenneth says. “Today, the landscape has shifted and consumers are more educated and engaged with social issues more than ever before. Because of that, brands are talking more about giving back as a way to connect with consumers.”
One of those socially-conscious brands is STATE, a Brooklyn-based bag and accessories brand created by husband-and-wife team Scot and Jacq Tatelman.
“Eight years ago, Jacq and I started a nonprofit summer camp for hundreds of kids growing up in Brooklyn's most underfunded, violent neighborhoods,” says Scot Tatelman, co-founder of STATE. “Camp POWER quickly became an enormous part of our lives, and we started seeing an unfortunate, recurring theme of kids carrying their belongings in ripped trash bags. It devastated us, and we wanted to do more…We noticed a bunch of companies doing great work for children overseas, but our focus was on local kids — right in our own backyard. So, we created STATE, where our goal was to take the one-for-one model home..”
Another brand making a name for itself is Bombas, a sock brand launched by co-founders Randy Goldberg and David Heath.
“Bombas is derived from the Latin word for Bee,” say Randy Goldberg, co-founder and Chief Brand Officer. “Bees work together as a hive so we like this notion of people helping others for the greater good, even if just by purchasing a product so that someone in need also receives one…Dave and I knew we wanted to create a company that made an impact on the world. To that end, we were very thoughtful when creating this brand.”
Photo courtesy of Bombas
Bombas: Men’s Dress Solid
David Heath, co-founder and CEO of Bombas, launched his charitable sock brand after seeing an important quote about socks being the number one most requested item at homeless shelters.
“I couldn’t shake that [fact] from my head, and I shared it with [my co-founder] Randy,” he says. “From there, we began to think about ways in which we could help solve that issue.”
Thus, Bombas — not to mention the brand’s philanthropic mission — was born: For every pair of socks purchased, a pair is donated to someone in need.
We recommend sliding your feet into these Bombas dress socks; designed for comfort and athletic performance. Available in four colors, they’re a shoo-in essential for your wardrobe. — $15.00 at Bombas.com
Photo courtesy of STATE Bags
State Bags: Nevins Backpack
STATE Bags, a Brooklyn-based bag line created by Scot and Jacq Tatelman, provides underprivileged American children with backpacks thanks to their #GiveBackPack program.
“Our [program] was designed to not only provide essential tools for success, but role-model figures and positive messaging to get kids thinking about beating the odds that are often stacked against them,” explains Scot Tatelman, co-founder of STATE. “The truth is, we were donating bags before we sold any, so the mission and heart of the brand drove, and continues to drive, everything we do.”
Add a little plaid to your wardrobe with the brand’s Nevins backpack. Equipped with a large main storage space for a laptop and multiple compartments for other belongings, this backpack not only helps out those in need but also helps you out. — $95.00 at StateBags.com
Photo courtesy of Frank & Oak
Frank and Oak: The Ramone Oversized Topcoat
Frank & Oak has teamed up with General Assembly to create the 50/50 Founders’ Fund, a program that equally helps male and female founders build tomorrow’s world by supporting their entrepreneurial journey.
Keep in mind that 1% of every Frank & Oak purchase directly supports the fund, which is why we have our eyes set on this Ramone oversized topcoat. Its boucle-textured exterior and oversized silhouette reign supreme for your fall wardrobe. — $245.00 at FrankandOak.com
Photo courtesy of Toms
Toms for Apple Watch Band
To help celebrate its tenth anniversary, TOMS has partnered up with Apple to release its special collection of Apple Watch bands. For every band purchased, TOMS will provide one year of solar light to an individual or household in need as part of their One for One program. The brand is aiming to provide up to 10,000 years of solar light as a nod to their tenth year in business. The bands, ranging in a variety of styles. — Starting at $49.00 at TOMS.com
Photo courtesy of Eton
Eton: The Invisible Tie
Move over Movember — there’s a new men’s charitable movement on the scene! Swedish shirt maker Eton has launched the world’s first invisible tie to raise awareness about health issues affecting men around the world. The stylish tie bar, engraved with the words “I Wear the Invisible Tie,” gets the message across in an understated fashion. It retails for $40.00, with all proceeds donated to charities supporting men’s health issues. — $40.00 at EtonShirts.com
Photo courtesy of Warby Parker