The Designers Who Are Standing Up For Women’s Rights

While we often praise designers based on their latest seasons, or up-and-coming trends, there are other reasons we should celebrate brands: Namely, when they take action to incite positive change in the world. Though you may not realise, a number of very famous brands either have their own organisations, or support other charities. Because of International Women’s Day coming up, our focus is currently on unapologetic women.

We were curious to see which brands supported women’s rights, and what we found pleasantly surprised us. While we've already mentioned that online retailers like Net-A-Porter and Farfetch have curated collections that donate to women’s charities, these are the fashion brands that work to support women on a regular basis. By providing support and finances to important causes, these designers are helping to  change women’s lives for the better.

By partnering with the Charity, Step Up, Coach supports teenage girls from under-resourced communities. With a three million dollar pledge, Coach’s partnership with the organisation “will enable Step up to connection an additional 3,000 girls in more cities to a network of powerful women for mutual inspiration."

Kate Spade’s On Purpose line focuses on three distinct values: Empowerment, courage, and community. By using the supplier ADC, the On Purpose line provides long term jobs for women in Rwanda.

In addition, Kate Spade has also created the Kate Spade & Company Foundation. According to the brand’s website, “the Foundation is committed to providing women with access to the training, tools and access necessary to achieve economic independence.” Providing about $1.2 million per year in the forms of grants and donations, the brand “ [pursues] this mission by supporting multi-dimensional programs that transition women from under-served communities into successful individuals that inspire the people around them.”

Founded in 2010, the DVF Awards were created to recognise and support women dedicated to bettering the lives of other women. As the organisation’s website states, the women awarded “have had the courage to fight, the power to survive, and the leadership to inspire.” Each year, five recipients are given $50,000 grants in order to further their non-profit organisations.

In an effort to support female entrepreneurs, the Tory Burch Foundation was created in 2009. By providing access to capital, entrepreneurial education, and mentoring and networking opportunities, the foundation encourages women to embrace ambition and follow their dreams.

It’s no secret that Stella McCartney supports charitable organisations and has been known to stand up for causes close to her heart; and one such charity is Kering Corporate Foundation. According to the brand’s website, the charity “provide[s] financial support to sustainable and long-term field initiatives conducted by NGOs on various issues surrounding violence against women and women’s empowerment.”