Fashion with a Difference: 3 Brands Changing the World
It’s often difficult to find ethical clothing in a world consumed by fast fashion and profit-driven production. We constantly hear of the horror-stories of worker’s conditions in South and East Asia; of the environmental impact that our demand for cheap clothing creates, and the overall unsustainability of the fashion industry. Although some large-scale corporations are now finally addressing their environmental and social responsibilities, these attempts greenwash the primary goal of business: profit.
Where profit eventually goes is rarely discussed, however there are brands created with the core desire to address this. By turning financial profit into meaningful social change, there are ways that our shopping choices can make a difference in the Middle East and beyond. Here are three brands using the power of fashion to engender social change and charitable activities in the Middle East:
Seek Refuge
Seek Refuge is a modest streetwear brand for people that may not feel represented by the hyper-feminine designs currently dominating the modest fashion industry. The brand is also a social enterprise that has been created to give a platform to those whose rights are often threatened. Focusing on empowerment for refugees, women, and Muslims across the world, their mission is led by a radical awareness of injustice and a desire to create meaningful change.
In 2018, the Seek Refuge team visited Al Mafraq, Jordan to learn about life on the front lines of the refugee crisis. Partnering with Humanity First, they delivered food and supplies to local refugees, and continue to work with grassroots organisations in the region. Employing refugees in their ethical factory in Istanbul, Seek Refuge are also open and transparent about their production process, regularly updating their instagram with photos and videos from their site visits. This fashion brand donates 10% of revenue to the International Rescue Committee, and aims to donate 20% of revenue to refugee aid by 2022.
You can purchase Seek Refuge’s merchandise here.
Hypepeace
This British brand follows classic skate and streetwear style whilst playing on popular logo imagery to shine a light on social issues. By reworking well-known logos (e.g. Comme des Garcons and Palace), Hypepeace takes a satirical approach to fashion, but does so with a serious agenda for social change. They currently donate 40% of their proceeds to the Sharek Youth Forum, a Palestinian organisation that focuses on the development of young people in the region and amplifes the voices of Palestinian youth to reach those with the power to make change.
You can purchase Hypeace’s merchandise here.
Habibi Funk
This Berlin-based music label produces tote bags and t shirts printed with the slogan, ‘THE FUTURE IS FEMALE’ in both English and Arabic. They currently donate 100% of their merchandise proceeds to REVUE HAWA, a cultural publication run by 3 young women from Algeria and Tunisia. Although REVUE HAWA is not a registered charity, their work provides a safe space to the voices and opinions of young women from the North African region and supports them in creating their own independent editorial spaces.
You can purchase Habibi Funk’s merchandise here.
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