With knowledge and information being more accessible than ever, it is no wonder that the consumer mindset has shifted drastically into thinking more critically about the various brands they purchase from. A few clicks on the internet can provide a shopper with everything he or she needs to know about a business, and this has in turn encouraged fashion companies to publicize themselves in a more sustainable and philanthropic light.

According to a 2019 Forbes article, recent protests about climate change have highlighted the need for more ethically-sourced clothing, but most notably, younger consumers’ focus on social and environmental issues has influenced their consumeristic tendencies, revealing their selectivity in only buying from brands that align with their values. Welcome to the age of the ‘woke’ consumers. Below are just a few of the fashion industry’s top brands calling attention to climate change, poor working conditions, mental health, cancer research, and more.

Madhappy

Calling themselves an “Optimistic Lifestyle Label,” the creators at Madhappy are initiating a discourse on mental health and are de-stigmatizing this once-taboo topic. The brand is famous for its colorful, graphic sweatshirts and sweatpants, and it has been featured online in Vogue. This year, they launched the Local Optimist blog, which showcases powerful stories, useful toolkits, and enlightening conversations with real people surrounding mental health. The company also does product launches and special events, donating proceeds to the Jed Foundation, an organization with the mission of protecting the emotional health of teens and young adults.

Patagonia

If you did not know, this famous outdoor clothing company has been pledging 1% of their total sales to the preservation of the natural environment ever since 1985. To date, they have awarded over $89 million to grassroots environmental groups, created a non-profit organization, and partnered with over 9 companies to ensure transparency and accountability. Today, they proudly refer to themselves as an “Activist Company” for their massive contributions to improving the relationship between the fashion industry and the environment.

Warby Parker

With a mission to deliver “designer eyewear at a revolutionary price,” this trendy, quasi-hipster eyeglass company has quickly sky-rocketed as a customer favorite, opening stores all around the US and Canada. However, their mission does not stop at their paying shoppers—their Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program trains adult men and women to administer affordable eye exams as well as to give vision care and glasses to school-age children. Over 2.5 billion people in the world need glasses but cannot afford them, and Warby Parker’s efforts not only allow them to see for the first time, but they also increase people’s productivity and monthly incomes because of it.

Girlfriend Collective

The rise of athleisure culture not only necessitates cute and colorful workout sets but also functional ones, too. Girlfriend Collective delivers this and more—they sell a variety of different sports bras and leggings that all begin with 25 recycled post-consumer water bottles and are made without child or compulsory labor. Additionally, they sell LITE leggings that are composed of a fiber made from recycled fishing nets and other waste that would otherwise be discarded. On top of this, the brand is body shape, size, color, and age inclusive, featuring an array of diverse models on their site.

Talentless

Scott Disick’s latest business venture manifests itself in a luxury loungewear collection featuring an assortment of comfortable, thick (and pricey) sweatpants, sweatshirts, and more. They also partner with F Cancer, a 501(c)(3) organization focusing on preventing, detecting, and supporting those affected by the disease. According to the website, $3 billion was spent on the research and treatment of this illness in 2012, but only 7.7% went towards prevention and control. With 3% of Talentless’s profits going to this charity, the company has the potential to change the way people think and talk about cancer.

Image via L’Officiel

This year marked the 23rd annual amfAR Cinema Against AIDS Gala–the grande finale to the pomp and circumstance (and celebrity) of the star-studded Cannes Films Festival. The annual event attracts the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Katy Perry, Kevin Spacey and a revolving cast of millionaires, models and fashion industry heavyweights with the intention of raising funds in the fight against AIDS and HIV. This year, amfAR collected millions from the auctioning off of Damien Hirst sculptures, weekend getaways at DiCaprio's Palm Springs home, and Carine Roitfeld's highly anticipated 32-piece curated fashion show (with each disco-inspired look custom designed by a major fashion house).

How compatible amfAR's mission is amidst these ephemeral displays of wealth, beauty and fame (the number of Harry Winston jewels present most likely outnumbered the guests in attendance), is definitely subject for debate. Despite the ostentatious nature of these charity events, however, the fashion community has long occupied a key role in philanthropic endeavors–from promoting the arts and young artists, to combatting world hunger and poverty. Included below are five major promoters for fashion with a cause, whose platforms have played a pivotal role in changing the landscape of fashion and charity around the world.

Same Sky Jewelry - Founded in the aftermath of the Rwandan genocide to employ local women in the art of handcrafted jewelry, Same Sky has since expanded its operations to New York City to offer opportunities for women after incarceration. Through these collectives, Same Sky aims to foster self-sufficiency and empowerment among female artisans through work-training and educational programs. According to their website "100% of net proceeds are reinvested to train and employ more artisans in need."

FEED - Founded in 2007 by Lauren Bush Lauren with the central goal of fighting world hunger and breaking cycles of poverty caused by child malnutrition, the FEED Foundation employs local artisans under fair-labor conditions in cooperatives in Colombia, Gautemala, Haiti, India, Kenya and Peru. Each purchase from FEED is printed with the number of meals or micronutrients packets provided, with most products constructed entirely from environmentally friendly materials.

Warby Parker - Created with intention of producing attractive and affordable eyewear, American brand Warby Parker also partners with non-profit organizations like VisionSpring to ensure that for every pair of glasses sold, another pair is donated to someone in need. In collaboration with Karlie Kloss, the brand has also donated to Edible Schoolyard NYC, a non-profit that develops healthy eating habits in low-income NYC public schools by building local gardens and kitchens.

Sevenly - With campaigns that last daily to as long as a month, e-commerce site Sevenly partners with non-profits around the world to raise awareness for and fund a wide range of different causes. Since its founding in 2011, Sevenly has raised over 4 million dollars through its 'cause art' commissioned products.

Brother Vellies - 2016 CFDA/Vogue Fashion Fund winner, Aurora James, founded Brother Vellies with the intention of introducing beloved styles of African footwear to a global audience. Handcrafted by artisans in South Africa, Kenya and Morocco, Brother Vellies ensures sustainable work practices and creates jobs while promoting the cultural impact of traditional African fashions.

Featured image via