Interested in making a fashion statement that can also impact social change? If so, then take your cues from Sweet Notions and Nomi Network, two grassroots ventures with a vision beyond the bottom line.

In 2008, long-time friends Shannon Hopkins and Jessica Stricker discovered they both shared a desire to create a business that could transform the lives of those impacted by human trafficking and challenge the damaging effects of “fast fashion.” “With the grant funding drying up, we knew we couldn’t wait to find the funding of our solutions, Hopkins said. “We needed to strive for the goal to create a self-generating income streams that would allow us to innovate so we would not be reliant on grant funding and donations.” So they spent the next two years testing their idea by collecting, re-purposing and selling pre-loved accessories like jewelry, shoes and handbags.

They launched Sweet Notions in 2009 in Texas and then in the UK the following year to create environmental and social change in the fashion industry by upcycling and retailing fashion accessories. “The way we generate our income is just as important as what we do with this funding,” Hopkins said.

Get involved

Interested fashionistas can tap into this creative energy in a number of ways such as donating used and unwanted accessories or inviting Sweet Notions to Host a “Boutique Event” at a venue, business club or existing retail outlet for an evening of conversation and shopping. For those who are connected to a charity or community project that works with women, consider having Sweet Notions host a design camp at a place such as a women’s shelter. At these camps the women will gain skills, such as sewing, beadwork and embroidery. Also, these campers will learn the necessary skills so they can run a boutique event and sell items they made at the camp.

Fashion to end human trafficking

Nomi Network is another social enterprise established to use fashion as a means to help combat human trafficking globally while giving individuals an opportunity to do good when making their purchases. Alissa Moore, co-founder and vice president of Nomi Network reflected on this nonprofit’s origins. “Diana Mao and I traveled to Cambodia in 2008 to explore business models that could help vulnerable women and children out of poverty. While we were there, we connected with a number of local nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and social enterprises, who were teaching these women basic skills so they could support their families.”

Immediately they saw a need to create and distribute quality products that could be sold on the global market. After meeting Supei Liu, an experienced product developer in 2009, they launched a pilot program in Cambodia to train vulnerable women to make eco-friendly handbags and accessories. These women produced 3,000 tote bags that sold out in three months.

Get involved

Moore says there’s a number of ways interested parties can purchase their range of “Buy Her Bag Not Her Body®” bags and other products. In addition to buying its products online, supporters can host Home Parties to sell these items through their channels of influence. Also, New York City-based shoppers can visit its booth at the Union Square Holiday Market through Dec. 24. All of the profits from these product sales are used to train and educate survivors and at risk women. Moving forward, Moore hopes the company will expand its work into India next year thanks to a $200,000 grant from U.S. Department of State, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Person. By 2025, Nomi Network hopes to help create 100,000 jobs for survivors and at-risk women around the world.

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