8th March marks International Women’s Day, an occasion designed to celebrate and empower women around the world. Almost every brand in the country has some kind of campaign around the day – but how do you know which ones are actually putting their money where their mouths are?
For 2019, we’ve rounded up some of the best products for IWD that go beyond a slogan and do their bit to support amazing charitable causes, meaning that you can treat yourself and make a difference simultaneously. There’s everything from lipstick to leopard print, and they start from just £8.
Warehouse
I Define Me T-shirt, £16, Warehouse
Supporting: ROSA
ROSA is the UK’s only fund for women and girls supporting channels to mobilise resources for women’s rights and equality. This IWD, Warehouse is fundraising for the charity with the release of its ‘I Define Me’ t-shirt, seen here modelled by author Bryony Gordon, Natalie Lee from Style Me Sunday, Lauren Mahon from Girl vs Cancer, Nafisa Bakkar from Amaliah and presenter Esme Young, who have lent their voices to the campaign. 100 per cent of the proceeds from the top will be donated to ROSA.
Avon
mark. Epic Lipstick With Built-In Primer in Berry Bold, £8, Avon
Supporting: Refuge and Women’s Aid
As part of Avon’s ongoing promise to help end violence against women and girls, the beauty giant has announced that it will be donating half of all proceeds from sales of this striking shade of lipstick to two charity partners – Refuge, and Women’s Aid. In the last ten years alone, the beauty giant has donated over £2.4 million to domestic violence charities in the UK, so if you love a bright lip, purchasing this could help them add to that amount.
Bella Freud x Gillian Wearing
Bella Freud X Gillian Wearing Suffragette City collection, from £20, Plinth
Supporting: The Fawcett Society
You might know fashion designer Bella best for jumpers, but for her latest project she’s teamed up with contemporary British artist Gillian Wearing and the resulting designs are just as divine. If you invest in the fine bone china tea set or new artist’s edition embroidered handkerchief, a portion of profits will go to The Fawcett Society, a charity campaigning for gender equality and women’s rights.
Pretty Little Thing
#everybodyinPLT collection, from £8, Pretty Little Thing
Supporting: WAGGGS
Pretty Little Thing are flying the flag for sisterhood with a campaign devoted to building up fellow females, with a range of slogan clothing with phrases like ‘Girl, you got this’ starting from just £8. An impressive 100 per cent of profits from the range goes to the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts, representing 10 million girls in 150 countries who are developing their skills with the organisation.
Joanie Clothing
Pankhurst Women Power Tee, £22, Joanie Clothing
Supporting: The Pankhurst Trust
This year, vintage-inspired Joanie Clothing will be launching its first ever charity t-shirt for International Women’s Day, and it’s one of the coolest designs we’ve seen, inspired by the iconic sashes of the suffragette movement. 10 per cent of proceeds go to The Pankhurst Trust, which helps women suffering from domestic violence and abuse.
Sister Jane
Supporting: Young Women’s Trust
Fashion brand sister Jane is doubling down for IWD with an 8.6 per cent discount on everything and a charity donation of 8.6 per cent from every sale made on 8th March. Why 8.6 per cent? It’s the gender pay gap as it stands. The funds generated will go to the Young Women’s Trust’s ‘Work It Out’ scheme, supporting women who are either out of work or trapped in low-paying, insecure jobs.
K Swiss
K Swiss x Amber Vittoria trainers, £85, kswiss.eu
Supporting: You Make It
K Swiss has teamed up with female artist Amber Vittoria to create the ‘The space is for you’ shoe – but that’s not all. The footwear brand will be offering 30 per cent of all proceeds made on its website on the 8th to You Make it, a charity empowering young unemployed women with the confidence, skills, knowledge and experiences needed to further their careers, whilst also launching the exclusive shoe.
Mint Velvet
Supporting: Women for Women
Women for Women has 20 years of on-the-ground experience working with women in countries affected by conflict. Mint Velvet’s sweet, simple IWD jumper – as seen on influencer and author Niomi Smart and Brita, Executive Director of Women for Women International, supports this amazing initiative by donating all profits from sales of the piece. There’s also a navy colour way if that’s more your style.
Women of Grace collection, from £295, Catherine Quin
Supporting: Smart Works
Former lawyer Catherine is committed to supporting charities that empower women on both a global and local Lebel. 25% of profits from her Women of Grace collection go to Smart Works, a charity which assists vulnerable women and helps them get back into work by providing interview coaching and clothing. Her chic, minimal pieces don’t come cheap, but they’re investments that will last a lifetime – and might just change someone else’s life, too.
