Feel-Good Fashion

Shop with purpose: 6 clothing and accessory brands committed to good looks andgood causes

Chooze shoes help lift people out of poverty.
Edun hopes produce 40 percent of its seasonal collection within the Africancommunity by 2013.
Sales of Eye on the Sparrow jewelry help support the Carter Albrecht MusicFoundation.
Roma Boots distributes boots to children living in poverty.
Warby Parker donates funds and eyewear to nonprofits who distribute them tothose in need.
LemLem helps promote economic growth in Ethiopia.

Who doesn’t like to feel as good about their purchases as they do about wearing them? From fashion-forward Edun to playful Chooze shoes for kids, these brands are as covetable as they are committed to a cause — whether it’s combating poverty or supporting local musicians. We call that fashion with a perk.

Edun
The luxe line of men’s and women’s clothing and accessories, started by Ali Hewson and Bono (yes, that one), has an ongoing trading relationship with Africa. To help alleviate poverty, the company aims to produce 40 percent of its seasonal collection within the community by 2013. The laid-back rocker chic collection is well worth the investment. Available at Nordstrom NorthPark and edun.com.

Eye on the Sparrow Designs
We love the bracelets, earrings and necklaces that Abbie Chesney churns out of recyled donated guitar strings. Proceeds fund the Carter Albrecht Music Foundation, which supports the Dallas music community by helping local musicians move one step closer to their dreams. Rock on. Available at the Dallas Museum of Art gift shop, Talulah Belle and on the eyeonthesparrow.com.

Roma Boots
This Dallas-based business, founded by Samuel Bistrian, elevates the practical rain boot while helping those in need. The knit-lined classic hunter-style rubber boots come in fashion-savvy shades like glossy plum and matte gray. For every boot sold, subsidiary Roma Provisions distributes weatherproof boots to children living in poverty — predominantly in cold, wet climates like Romania. Warm your feet and your heart by supporting this good cause. Available at romaprovisions.com.

Warby Parker
Buy a pair of these vintage-inspired frames for just $95, and Warby Parker provides funding or glasses to nonprofit partners that distribute them to those in need. The online-only retailer offers a convenient Home Try-On Program, so you can test out five frames for five days free of charge before selecting a suitable pair of specs. Vibrant, fashionable frames that you not only look good in, but also feel good about? You can see why we like it.

LemLem
The women’s and children’s clothing company founded by supermodel and actress Liya Kebede preserves the ancient art of weaving while promoting economic growth. Made in Ethiopia, the hand-woven breezy boho cotton dresses, tops, skirts and scarves make great gifts as well as appealing additions to any wardrobe. Available at Cabana and online at lemlem.com.

Chooze Shoes
Artistic doodles grace these (purposely) mismatched children’s shoes designed by Dallas-based artist and founder Sharon Blumberg. Packaged in a recycled-cardboard art box and available in a variety of styles that both kids and moms adore, the environmentally friendly shoes give kids the freedom of expression as well as a do-good attitude. Chooze invests profits to programs that provide training, support, education and loans to women to help them out of extreme poverty. Available at Whole Earth Provision Company, Stride Rite and choozeshoes.com.

Like what you see? Then check out online retailer Juno & Jove for a well-edited selection of consciously crafted products and brands.

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Shopping news

Charleston jewelry boutique Hart makes Texas debut on Dallas' Knox St.

Photo by Kathy Tran

The new HART Dallas boutique at 3212 Knox St.

Charleston-based personalized jewelry brand Hart is debuting its first Texas boutique in Dallas, and it couldn't have picked a better spot than the bustling Knox Street district.

The boutique will open Saturday, August 29 at 3212 Knox St., marking the company's fifth retail location nationwide, after stores in Charleston, New York, Nashville, and Nantucket.

According to a release, the Dallas shop will offer Hart's (officially styled HART) popular collection of talismans, chains, cords, bezel jewelry, earrings, and gemstone strands, designed to be mixed and layered. The brand is particularly known for personalized jewelry, with shoppers able to work one-on-one with a member of the Hart team to select symbols and talismans for a custom piece.

The Dallas location will also carry a collection of pieces created specifically for the Texas market, the owners say.

HART Exclusive Dallas charms at Hart.Photo by Kathy Tran

For the store's design, Hart worked with Dallas firm Burkle Creative, which specializes in residential, hospitality, and retail interiors.

"Hart has built a brand around meaningful pieces that tell a story, so our approach was to create a retail environment that feels equally personal," says Javier Burkle, Burkle Creative principal and creative director, in the release. "We wanted the Dallas store to honor Hart's Charleston heritage while embracing the spirit of Texas, blending their unique character and a sense of discovery throughout the space.

"The result is a store that feels like stepping into the home of a well-traveled collector, where every detail invites customers to explore and connect with the brand."

The Dallas opening follows Hart's move into a permanent New York flagship on Bleecker Street in the West Village.

"Dallas has one of the most stylish, confident, and individualistic customer bases in the country," says Hart Hagerty, Hart chief creative officer. "We've been inspired by the Dallas woman for years, her boldness, her sense of self, her commitment to dressing with intention. We are so excited to finally be here."

Curry Hagerty, Hart's CEO, said Dallas has been a hot market for the brand online and through local wholesale partners Clover and St. Bernard. Now they're bringing everything directly to Dallas shoppers.

"Dallas has consistently been one of our top markets for online sales," Hagerty says. "We also have strong wholesale relationships already in the market through Clover and St. Bernard, so we know this customer and she knows us. Opening in Dallas was less a question of if and more a question of when."

HART Dallas Hart joints the bustling Knox St. shopping and dining district.Photo by Kathy Tran

Hart's new store will be part of the Knox Street shopping and dining district, near the Katy Trail and surrounded by more than 70 shops and restaurants.

A grand opening event will take place Saturday, August 29 beginning at 10 am. The first 50 people will receive a custom Hart Dallas tote, custom bandana, and $50 gift card. A latte art cart will be on site to supply sustenance.

Once fully open, the Dallas boutique will be open 10 am-7 pm Monday-Saturday and 10 am-6 pm Sunday.

knox district knox street jewelry shopping