Children's Clothing Designers & Cause Marketing Campaigns

I picked up a copy of the magazine KIWI: Growing Families the Natural and Organic Way at San Francisco's recent Green Festival. The October 2008 issue contains a spread called "A Common Thread", which features children's clothing designers and companies that have cause marketing components. Very cool!

From the article:

* Booda Brand - for every t-shirt sold, the company helps Room to Read support education and literacy in developing countries.

* Converse - supports the (Product) RED global fund program against HIV/AIDS.

* Tease - supports Kids in Distressed Situations (K.I.D.S.), a global organization providing support for children suffering from illness, poverty, or natural disasters.

* LT Apparel Group - the producer of Cotler Girls, the company donates clothing to children in need and also supports K.I.D.S.

* Country Kids by Jefferies - supports Loaves & Fishes, which provides meals for the hungry, and Christmas Cheer, which gives food and gifts to those who need them in the Chicago area.

* Fig - donates clothing to Camp Moomba, a special summer camp for kids affected by HIV/AIDS.

* Imps & Elfs - the company is part of Made-By, an organization that promotes sustainable fashion. Made-By companies are completely honest about what happens throughout every stage of their clothing production.

* Joe Black - for every piece from the collection sold, a portion of the proceeds are donated to PLAN, which offers support to deprived children around the world.

* Keen - in response to the tsunami disaster, the company pledged to foster change through volunteerism. Since 2004, Keen has distributed over $1.5 million to non-profits.

* Fable & Lore - created finger puppets, and gives 100% of the sale proceeds to UNESCO L.I.F.E., a literacy program.

* Love is Organic Denim - sells patches so kids can individualize their jeans, then gives all of the profits to charity. They have also donated clothing to Education and Hope, which provides education for children in Guatemala.

* Loyale - every year, this company donates a percentage of their annual sales to Green Corps, which offers training for the next generation of enviro leaders.

* Petit Bateau - donates clothing to Room to Grow, which provides low-income parents with essential baby items. The company plans to make select Petit Bateau boutiques drop of points, for Room to Grow.

* Quiksilver - for years, the company has actively engaged in charity, both locally and globally, by supporting enviro, educational, health, and youth-related projects.

* Sally Miller's - partners include George & Ann Lopez-Richie Alarcon CARE Foundation, and K.I.D.S.

* Fishman & Tobin (producer of Sean John and many other designer brands) - raises funds and donates goods to charities including K.I.D.S., and Dignity U Wear, which gives brand new clothing to kids who need it.

* Tractor Jeans - partnered with Feed the Children, (there we are with the well-branded Feed the Children, again!) an international relief organization that provides needy people with food, clothing, medicine, and other necessities.

* Zutano - gives a percentage of sales from this fall's Collectibles line to Global Action for Children, which fights for education, food, and health care for children in developing countries.

My favorite company find, here, is the Greenwich, CT based kids lifestyle boutique, Love, the makers of Love is Organic Denim.



Check out the article from Inhabitots, a portion of which is below:

The jeans are manufactured in India, but eco-conscious parents should note that LOVE only works with Certified Fair Trade Factories. So purchasers are guaranteed that with every seam and stitch that went into the product, craftsmanship was fairly compensated, labor conditions were favorable, and community and environment sustainability were regarded.

The manufacturing process that LOVE employs retains the organic nature of the fabric even after weaving and dyeing. Enzymes are used to launder the fabric, “as enzyme compounds are natural, eco-friendly as well as energy saving and totally biodegradable”. Finally, sandblasting is moderately applied and lasers are used to detail the garments. This diligence in production obtains an “extra soft, pliable hand” your kids will thank you for.

My favorite non-profit find here, is K.I.D.S. They even have a page on their website, dedicated to cause marketing!

The site explains what the non-profit can offer corporate partners, and describes some K.I.D.S. cause marketing campaigns.

What K.I.D.S. Offers Companies
* Unique, ownable partnerships as part of our effort to assist families and children in need.
* Opportunities throughout the year to support children affected by poverty by providing them with basic necessities.
* Programs to improve the quality of life in specific local communities where company plants, offices, stores or franchises are located.
* Opportunities for employee participation as volunteers in product distributions by our affiliated local agencies.
* Ways to attract and engage customers by offering to make donations to K.I.D.S. based on sales volume and/or encouraging customers to make donations at the time or point of purchase.

As an aside, while I was searching for information about this organization, I learned that in 2006, Obama spoke at a K.I.D.S. NYC fundraiser:)