By now, you’ve probably gathered that I love when fashion and charity come together. The latest thing I’m excited about is MadeForThem, a Valley-based organization that uses fashion to help combat human trafficking.
According to government estimates, there are an estimated 27 million men, women and children being exploited worldwide for forced labor and sexual exploitation. MadeForThem fights this statistic and promotes social justice and human rights through design, fashion and the arts.
So that’s first and foremost. But ALSO, MadeForThem has an adorable clothing line, launched at the beginning of this year. There are tops, jackets, dresses, and even some items for men. Each piece of clothing comes with a tag that tells the story of a survivor of human trafficking. You can buy everything online or schedule an appointment to shop at their office boutique. You can also arrange to have a trunk show with friends in your own home; MadeForThem will come to share their mission and help you pick out cute clothes! Call the office at 559-441-0327 for more information.
The current clothing line was designed in Fresno and manufactured in L.A. MadeForThem told me that “the clothing is to the best of our ability all fair labor, down to the buttons and thread used to bring the clothing together.”
The group is actually in the process of changing their manufacturing process, planning to partner with a woman in India who is going to hire human trafficking survivors to make the clothes. They say the new line will be launched at the end of January 2015.
All proceeds from clothing sales go to established organizations that are already making an impact. Most proceeds go to local programs that work with survivors of human trafficking and the global group International Justice Mission. MadeForThem is also working on educating students (speaking to teens who live in areas where they are likely to encounter prostitutes under the age of 18).
In addition to shopping the clothes, there’s a fun opportunity for you to find out more about MadeForThem and support their cause at an upcoming fundraiser: the ArtofFreedom event on October 18th. There will be food catered by local bakery P*de*Q, a MadeForThem pop-up shop as well as a vintage store, a hands-on art experience that will teach you techniques to create your own piece, stories from survivors and more. Tickets are $75 each and can be purchased online or at 3Oaks Studio in Old Town Clovis.
I hope you’ll take the time to check out this unique organization. And if you or anyone you know is dealing with a human trafficking situation, MadeForThem urges you to call 1-888-3737-888 for confidential help 24/7.
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