Shop For A Cause

5 fabulous gifts that feel good to get and give

Proceeds from one Esperos bag provides a year of schooling for a child in Haiti.
Photo courtesy of Esperos
A portion of proceeds from Mizzen+Main shirts goes to A Shirt for A Startprogram benefiting U.S. veterans.
Photo by Daniel Musomba
Abi Ferrin's Freedom Project handbags are made by Cambodian women working at theSak Suam ministry.
Photo courtesy of Abi Ferrin
Helen Ficalora designed an Africa shaped charm for Water-Thirst and theirefforts to create cleaner water systems.
Helen Ficalora Necklace/Water-Thirst
All proceeds from the Equinox Strength shirt go to the American Red Cross forHurricane Sandy relief.
Photo courtesy of Equinox

Gifting and giving are always top of mind during the holidays. We like to shop for a cause year round, but this time of year, it becomes more important to spend our dollars where they count most.

With the rise of socially conscious businesses and entrepreneurs, gifting with purpose is easier than ever. Here is a list of five holiday gifts that are heart-warming to give and receive.

For the book nerd: Esperos bag
When Oliver Shuttlesworth returned from travels in Central America, he decided to support impoverished children and urge people to "carry hope." So every time you purchase an Esperos backpack or tote bag, you help one disadvantaged child in Haiti attend school.

Esperos works with Fonkoze, a nonprofit micro-finance institution dedicated to empowering women and their families in Haiti. Backpacks are $70; totes are $60. Purchase both online.

For the serious man: Mizzen+Main dress shirt
Support U.S. veterans this holiday by giving the men in your life a Mizzen+Main sweat-wicking dress shirt. Kevin Lavelle started his men's line with a greater purpose in mind. A portion of proceeds from each shirt goes to A Shirt for A Start program, which helps an American hero make the transition from military service to the workforce.

The must-have shirts come in five colors — priced from $115 to $150 — and can be purchased online or at WAREhaus in West Village.

For the feminine girl: Abi Ferrin Freedom Project clutch
Dallas designer Abi Ferrin started the Freedom Project to empower women globally. The project works with women in the Sak Saum ministry in Cambodia, which provides fair trade work, education, counseling and more to victims of abuse.

The women in Sak Saum construct these handbags in their entirety. You can a bag — priced between $65 and $85 — at Piermarini, and soon they will be available on Abi Ferrin's website.

For the accessorizer: Water-Thirst Africa charm necklace
Jewelry designer Helen Ficalora created a silver Africa-shaped charm for Water-Thirst — a project of the local nonprofit Speak Hope — which is dedicated to providing clean water solutions on a global scale.

One hundred percent of proceeds from the sale of these charms goes to the charity. The charms, available on a silver chain or leather cord for $150, can be purchased online.

For the athlete: Equinox Staying Strong T-shirt
Equinox designed a limited-edition shirt to support victims of Hurricane Sandy, and all proceeds go to the American Red Cross. The nonprofit provides food, shelter and assistance to devastated victims.

These simple but powerful T-shirts, emblazoned with the word "strength," are available for $35 at both Highland Park and Preston Hollow Equinox locations.

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Retail news

Just one Saks Off 5th store in DFW survives company's nationwide closures

Saks OFF 5th/ Facebook

Saks Off 5th is closing most of its stores.

Saks Global, parent company of Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue, is closing most of its discount designer stores as it tries to wiggle through bankruptcy. In Dallas-Fort Worth, three Saks Off 5th and Neiman Marcus Last Call stores will shutter, and one will remain open.

According to a release:

The Saks Off 5th in Grapevine Mills mall will survive as the only remaining Saks Off 5th in Texas.
A Neiman Marcus Last Call store in Grapevine Mills will close.
The Saks Off 5th store in Dallas (8040 Park Ln.) will close February 2.
The Saks Off 5th location in Grand Prairie (2950 W. I-20 #125) will close February 2.

In total, 57 Off 5th stores and all remaining Last Call stores will shutter nationwide. (A complete list of closures can be found here.)

The mass closures come after Saks Global filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protections on January 14. The conglomerate has been buckling under the strain of $2.5 million in debt it acquired with the 2024 purchase of rival retailer Neiman Marcus.

"As we advance on Saks Global's transformation, we are taking decisive steps to realign our business to better serve our luxury customers and drive full-price selling across our core luxury businesses," says Geoffroy van Raemdonck, chief executive officer of Saks Global, in a release. "With these actions, we will be well positioned to seize the greatest opportunities for long-term growth and value creation. We sincerely thank our Saks Off 5th and Last Call colleagues for the important role they have played in serving our loyal customers."

In good news for shoppers, many of the U.S. stores, including those in DFW, will kick off closing sales beginning January 31. Additionally, saksoff5th.com will wind down its operations with an online closing sale beginning Friday, January 30.

The select Saks Off 5th stores remaining open, including the Grapevine Mills location, will serve primarily as a selling channel for residual inventory from Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, and Bergdorf Goodman, the company says.

The overall primary market for luxury goods has been declining in recent years due to changing customer preferences, a perceived decline in quality in top brands like Gucci and Louis Vuitton, and a growing resale market led by sites like The RealReal and Vestaire Collective.

luxury retail designer shopping chains closings neiman marcus