Lingua Franca, an embroidered cashmere T-shirt and sweater company, was founded by Rachelle Hruska in 2016. When you feel helpless you protest, you show up, you wear your heart on your sleeve,” says founder Rachelle Hruska MacPherson. Like its heroine’s life, Lingua Franca is modest, sometimes to a fault. “I was saddened to be belittled to a simple socialite as this would never be the case if a man were in my position,” MacPherson says. The latest campaign takes place in Barr Welcome to beautiful downtown Qatar Airways, formerly known as Grimsby. wwd.com - The New York-based company offers a philanthropic element to shoppers. Power-suiting may not be at the top of our minds given all the remote work we’re doing thanks to COVID, but we still might still need to throw on a suit for the occasional Zoom meeting. That is a great marketing victory. As Australia grapples with the worst wildfires seen in decades, fashion is trying to help. A desperate search for the perfect work suit inspired Sali Christeson to launch Argent in 2016. Lingua Franca is a new brand that offers a line of sustainably-sourced, fair trade luxury cashmere sweaters, all hand-stitched by women in NYC. Lingua Franca is a leader in the branding industry--enabling English cities and towns to acquire corporate sponsorship and increase their revenues. Lingua Franca More overtly political is Lingua Franca, which has become known for its $300-something sweaters emblazoned with progressive, anti-Trump messages like I DIDN’T VOTE FOR HIM and NASTY WOMAN. More overtly political is Lingua Franca, which has become known for its $300-something sweaters emblazoned with progressive, anti-Trump messages like I DIDN’T VOTE FOR HIM and NASTY WOMAN. Founded by Meena Harris, the niece of Vice Presidential candidate and U.S. Much like “Lingua Franca” belongs almost entirely to Sandoval, Olivia belongs wholly to herself. You can unsubscribe at any time. Clothing brands like Everlane and Lingua Franca have campaigns that donate a portion of proceeds to human rights organizations. Balenciaga, for instance, was called out for selling koala-themed clothing to raise money for Australian wildfire relief — critics say its effort meant producing more throwaway garments. Just look at Hruska’s ever-growing charity list entitled “Give a Damn.”. Fashion communications around International Women’s Day 2019 increased by 45 per cent year-on-year, according to data from Edited. Brand purpose also creates consumer loyalty based on shared values — something a competitor’s hot new product or lower price point simply can’t overcome. Here are some feminist brands you can support. Brands used to avoid political messaging for fear of offending clients with different views. Lingua Franca Reformation “It’s no longer a question of whether to, but how to take a stand,” says Amanda Glasgow, a branding executive at communications giant Edelman. “Fashion can be at once one of the most personal and public ways we express ourselves.”. Launched in 2016, the cause-driven company initially specialized in hand-embroidered cashmere sweaters. CREDIT: Courtesy of Birkenstock. But labels that dabble in what has been termed “moral merch” walk a tight line. Getting behind a cause can be a double-edged sword, as brands run the risk of coming across as cynical. We live in a world that is trying to survive a pandemic while also fighting for the literal lives of BIPOC people everywhere. After Abe had her first child, she realized the lack of options in clothing for new mothers and decided to create a collection that would make mothers feel fashionable, cool, and interesting, a feeling that often eludes new mothers. Each cashmere piece is hand-embroidered with an iconic phrase, intended to promote discussion around issues of cultural and social relevance. Noah had to cap the total number of orders for their Australia wildfire T-shirt due to overwhelming demand, even though shipping was over two weeks away. Today, they are one of the fastest-growing companies in the eyewear game. An Argent-wearing client hopes to be fashion-forward, but also just really comfortable. Lingua Franca - Lingua Franca is a line of sustainably-sourced, fair trade luxury cashmere sweaters, all hand-stitched by women in NYC. They launched the brand in 2008, and their glasses instantly caught the eyes of celebrities, including of the late Prince, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj, making them a coveted brand by the Hollywood set, which drove sales. It is, in fact, the mother of all pidgins, seemingly in use since the Middle Ages and surviving until the nineteenth century, when it disappeared with hardly a trace, probably under the onslaught of the triumphant … Following in her grandmother’s footsteps of embroidery, Hruska began embroidering cashmere sweaters with catchy phrases such as “A subversive underground movement to counteract the forces of mass production, mindless consumerism, and the patriarchy.” Lingua Franca reduced the size of the first ready-to-wear collection due to the pandemic and an effort to be more sustainable. Lingua Franca is adding new categories, eyeing opening more stores and ramping up for more philanthropic collaborations and community-driven events. In the midst of the hate and the emotional turmoil from such treatment, these sisters found solace and protection in sunglasses. In other words, customers look askance at labels that talk about gender equality if all their top executives are male. Lingua Franca will happily oblige. Finding designers who elevate women is a great way to support a feminist cause. BIRKENSTOCK Franca in all colors and sizes Buy directly from the manufacturer online All fashion trends from Birkenstock Her following became so great that she was tapped to be one of the organizers for the Women’s Movement in Los Angeles and a speaker at the Create & Cultivate Conference in Chicago. Grocery totes that read “Hydrate, Meditate, Masturbate” and her Go To Therapy T-shirt that reads “Self-love” are just some of Reels’ often sold-out collection. Behind every sale is a cause: “a portion of LF proceeds support the badass activists and organizations who are working for a better world” states her website. They likely don’t need a T-shirt to be sold for them.”. “Our mission is to deliver styles and substance traditionally off-limits to women, to help them feel inspired and seen in a patriarchal world, “ says McIIroy. Beulah raises money for important charities like ECPAT that support young victims of Human trafficking and Be The Voice, the organization that shines a light on modern slavery. Unilever famously shifted from a house of brands architecture down to an endorsed approach in 2004. ... 45 Times Duchess Kate Dressed Like … Of course, defining what feminist fashion means can be a bit subjective. Chitose Abe, the founder of this high-fashion line defined by unusual silhouettes and appliqué, started her company in 1999 after working under renowned designer Rei Kawakubo of Comme des Garcons. But that’s changing as political partisanship hardens and younger consumers increasingly scrutinise brands over their values — an inherently political act. In a time frame of only ten years, Google is one of the best known brands in the world. P&G even more famously followed suit nearly a decade later, similarly moving down and away from its long established house of brands approach to allow its previously unknown corporate brand to create resonance among target households. There were 34 different brands at the motorshow, each ferociously fighting to catch a space inside the customers’ brains. The design of the clothes, the overall message of the brand, and the production of that collection also comes into play. When Lacoste, for instance, said it would switch out its trademark crocodile logo for a different endangered species on limited-edition polo shirts, critics pointed out that the company still sold products made from deer and cow skins. We have three in-house brands namely Lingua Franca Language Academy (LF), Institute of Commerce and management (ICM), and Institute of Creativity and Designing (ICD). Comments, questions or feedback? Lingua Franca is adding new categories, eyeing opening more stores and ramping up for more philanthropic collaborations and community-driven events. Senator Kamala Harris, Phenomenal Woman Action Campaign is an organization that makes politically themed T-shirts and sweatshirts, and donates its funds to various social causes, including Planned Parenthood, the Maya Angelou Foundation, and Higher Heights. In the time of COVID and the fight for social justice, we are finding ourselves searching for depth and meaning — and how we dress is no exception. Boutique brands, like Rachelle Hruska MacPherson’s Lingua Franca, a line of slogan-based activism on cashmere, place themselves in the lineage of businesses with a higher purpose: activism, wellness, sustainability, size inclusivity. Her client list consists of some of the top executives and founders in the country from Global 500 technological companies, producers and directors of film, elected officials, actors, athletes, and high profile professionals in a wide variety of industries. About 50 per cent of the sweaters on its e-commerce site currently have a charitable proposition. The French are a proud bunch, especially when it comes to their mother tongue. When done right, it can be a boon to business. There are several talented fashion brands owned by women with a feminist ethos and mission that you can support. These Seven Emerging Fashion Brands Are Donating to COVID-19 Relief. Rachelle Hruska, Founder. Google trends show a 76 per cent upsurge in people searching for the brand when the campaign launched, and its social media mentions rose 1,678 per cent immediately, according to 4C Insights. Next up, we have the brand Wildfang, founded by Emma McIlroy in 2013 with the belief that women can wear whatever they want without kowtowing to the patriarchy’s expectations. “The biggest mistake I see brands making is to quickly jump to support a social cause that is trending at the time to make themselves visible,” Kozlowski continues, citing Bethany Williams and The Empowerment Plan as positive examples of brands that have taken a consistent and authentic approach to tackling social issues. “Brands should definitely have an activist role, but I don't agree with selling a product to do so. In an interview with AnOther magazine, Abe described the brand as catering to “women who want to feel empowered by clothes but still don't feel the need to wear a power suit.". Lingua Franca is a pidgin, a trade language used by numerous language communities around the Mediterranean, to communicate with others whose language they did not speak. rebels.” and “filthy mouthed wife.“ Want something personalized? As with most of the brands here, Beulah is so committed to ethical manufacturing they go beyond paying workers a living wage and literally help lift Women out of poverty. ... Lingua Franca has issued special-edition sweaters that benefit various charities. The danger now is not being committed enough. Brands are increasingly releasing products that feature a social cause, but they run the risk of coming across as cynical. Other companies like Bombas and Toms have built their entire brand on donating a pair of socks or shoes to those in need. “Our mission remains: cultivate and magnify a diverse and inclusive community, while shaping the future of work by equipping all women to take their seat at the table,” says Christeson. We seek to do our small part.”. Little did she know that this idea would take off and she’d be making embroidered sweaters and other apparel like it’s her job because, well, it is. Lingua Franca sweaters. Lingua Franca The designer has caught the attention of females in Hollywood with her line of statement cashmere sweaters that are stitched with an array of empowering messages. Being a feminist obviously means supporting women, and supporting and championing these feminist brands not only helps them thrive, but it also inspires other designers who might be playing with the idea of starting similar concepts. Such a novel idea: Women dressing for themselves in what makes them feel good and empowered. “We are not perfect, but we are trying to make a difference and contribute with the means we have available to us.”, At a time when many younger people feel that the economic system doesn’t work for them, brands appealing to their sense of idealism serves as a savvy move, says Dal Chodha, editor at fashion journal Archivist. Lingua Franca is a line of sustainably-sourced, fair trade luxury cashmere sweaters, all hand-stitched by women in NYC. When they’re not designing, they’re creating music as DJs and music producers. Shondaland participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. There are other ways to get people involved [and] there are other ways to raise that money,” says Anika Kozlowski, a fashion and sustainability professor at Ryerson's School of Fashion. Below are the top ten best global brands according to Interbrand: Coca Cola – United States – Beverages. Celebrities like Olivia Wilde, Kristen Bell, Nina Dobrev, Connie Britton, Amy Poehler and Reese Witherspoon have all been spotted in tees and jumpers by brands like The LB, My Sister and custom cashmere label Lingua Franca. Making Naadam feel all the more cozy is its congenial relationship with other brands on the block. Birkenstock x Lingua Franca limited-edition Arizona sandals. You will find clever T-shirt options like “Per my last email,” “Thank Black Women” and “Accomplice,” but also a slew of leggings, swimsuits, tanks, and even fanny packs with prints of Harriet Tubman, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and Sonia Sotomayor. To receive the Vogue Business newsletter, sign up here. Every item on this page was chosen by a Shondaland editor. Coco and Breezy, a high-fashion, eclectic eyewear company, was founded by twin sisters, Corianna and Brianna Dotson, who were both bullied as kids growing up in Minnesota, where there weren’t many other women of color. Email us at [email protected]. skip to main content Search When they put on a pair, they could escape into a new persona, becoming whoever they wanted to be — they transformed. Enter your email to stay updated with newsletters, event invites & promotions via email from Vogue Business. This is a significant change from the past. Meena’s shirts have been seen on celebrities, activists, and global leaders, but her messages represent many causes. Kantar’s Purpose 2020 study found that brands with a high sense of purpose have seen their brand valuation increase by 175 per cent over the past 12 years versus a median growth rate of 86 per cent and a growth rate of 70 per cent for brands with a low sense of purpose. Lingua Franca is adding new categories, eyeing opening more stores and ramping … Christeson had hoped to create a community for like-minded women to meld confidence, chicness, and practicality. Mary Gonsalves Kinney is the CEO and Founder of her fashion styling company MGK STYLE with clients in Sacramento, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Seattle, Chicago, New York and D.C. Mary has been noted as the top stylist in the region and boasts a client list that is high profile, diverse and based almost entirely on referral. Among the Wildfang collection are sweatshirts that read “Wild Feminist," which have been worn by Janelle Monáe and Evan Rachel Wood, striking suits dubbed“The Empower Suit,” and button-up shirts called “Button Ups for All” that feature men’s tailoring that still flatters and enhances women’s bodies. It’s equally important that the company give back to feminist-driven causes. “The sweaters were conceived as a form of therapy and a response to global political events. Evidence shows that having brand purpose is not a bad thing, but using purpose as a gimmick could be. In September, the New York-based company will be showing a presentation for spring 2022. Please see our privacy policy for more information. “One of the most powerful things you have in life is your voice and now, more than ever, is the time to use it,” says Hruska. Brands that consumers see as having a positive impact grow at twice the rate of other brands. Lingua Franca, an embroidered cashmere T-shirt and sweater company, was founded by Rachelle Hruska in 2016. “We simply cannot sit by and be silent as we see everything happening in our country and our world. Her apparel is exclusively designed by feminist artists. “From initiatives and partnerships focused on trans women to farmworkers to domestic workers, we have been amplifying the voices of female leaders across communities who are working to make the world better and more equitable for all. Get Shondaland directly in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TODAY, ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’ Refuses to Tone It Down, Derek Chauvin’s Conviction Was Just the Beginning, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Birkenstock and Lingua Franca released an empowering version of the Arizona sandal, embroidered with the phrase 'Give a Damn'. The fact that women still feel somewhat restricted in what they can wear if they want to be taken seriously at work is still hard to believe. 24 LGBTQ Organizations You Can Support Right Now, Feminist Anthems That'll Get You Through Your Day, How You Can Support Small Businesses Right Now, Armenian Feminists Are Organizing for Equality. The risk of backlash is especially acute when brands engage in environmental messaging. Behind a cool pair of glasses they felt like fearless young women who could conquer the world. Female Collective Founder Candace Reels is an intersectional feminist and activist based in Los Angeles who decided to use fashion, accessories, and well-designed posters to deliver strong, feminist messages. Meena Harris started making the Phenomenal Woman T-shirt in 2017 as a rally to women everywhere to continue the fight for equal representation at every level in this country.