Location: Richmond, Virginia

I have found one of the best ways to ease into ethical fashion is through accessorizing. There are many wonderful options to choose from and the price point is typically lower than an article of clothing or pair of shoes. I have chosen to highlight a few of my favorites from my collection as well as a few of my favorite brands.

One of my favorite companies in terms of both mission and product is GAIA Empowered Women. GAIA’s accessories are handmade by refugee women who have resettled in Dallas, Texas. I interviewed the founder, Paula Minnis, while working on my Master’s Thesis and her passion and commitment to helping these women is evident. To read more about the artisans GAIA employs click here. The earring I’m wearing are no longer available, but I’ve linked my favorites here, here, and here.

I found this clutch while perusing my local Paper Source store in Richmond. It was handmade by artisans in India. This one is no longer available, but you can find similar options here and here.

The other pair of earrings in the picture above are made in Virginia by a company called Love’s Affect. And 10% of every order is donated to a pre-selected nonprofit. The nonprofit they have selected for 2017 is the MetroSquared Foundation which exists to support four causes; to honor those that have taken care of family members during extended illness, to provide funerals for military veterans that cannot afford proper services, to support homeless children shelters and by purchasing and forgiving medical debt. Similar options to these earrings are here, here, and here.