These brands are partnering with philanthropic initiatives to give back to females across Canada and beyond.
International Women’s Day (IWD) is fast approaching. Taking place every year on March 8, the day is dedicated to celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. It also holds significance in its call to action, with the entire day dedicated to ideas and plans for accelerating gender parity.
The official theme this year is ‘each for equal,’ and according to Pinterest analytics, recent search results reflect this vision of an equal playing field. For example, searches around going back to school as a mom are up 53 per cent. Inspirational quotes for women motivation are up 755 per cent in searches, quotes for women encouragement are up 300 per cent and girls-supporting-girls quotes have had a 399 per cent increase. According to the UN, women globally earn 23 per cent less than men, and the push for change here is also reflected in Pinterest’s report. It revealed that there has been a 254 per cent increase in women searching about asking for a raise at work, and searches for business start-up ideas are up at an enormous 941 per cent.
In celebration of IWD 2020, here are 11 shopping initiatives to get behind this year.
Jenny Bird
From March 2 to March 8, 20 per cent of all Canadian-site-wide sales are being donated to Dress for Success Canada Foundation.
Callula Co.
Women-owned and designed sunglasses brand Callula Co. launched a limited-edition capsule of three T-shirts, in collaboration with Toronto-based graphic illustrator Rachel Joanis. On March 8, 100 per cent of proceeds will go to Dress for Success Toronto, which works toward helping women achieve economic independence.
High Street Cannabis x NorBlack NorWhite
Dropping on March 8, High Street Cannabis and fashion brand NorBlack NorWhite are releasing a limited-edition drop of branded shirts and socks, available through High Street’s e-commerce site. This is in celebration of Women’s History Month. All earned proceeds will be donated to Sistering, a multi-service agency serving socially isolated women and trans people in Toronto who are at-risk, homeless or precariously-housed. This collaboration emphasizes the importance of visibility of independent artists and creators of colour in mainstream communities.
Kate Spade New York
Kate Spade New York is partnering with author and community builder Cleo Wade to launch a limited-edition International Women’s Day collaboration. This exclusive partnership aims to encourage women to be the heroines of their own stories. This capsule sees two totes, each with a removable pouch, and two fold-over pouches. The vision for the greater good started with the design process, as it was designed through Kate Spade’s On Purposeprogram, a social enterprise initiative based in Masoro, Rwanda that strives to transform communities by employing and empowering women.
Cynthia Rowley
Brand Cynthia Rowley is partnering with CARE, a non-profit focusing on the advancement of women and girls around the world. From March 6 through to March 8, 15 per cent of sales from three items—the I Love You Bucket Hat, I Love You Sweatshirt and Cloud Nine Sweatshirt—will be donated to CARE.
The Atelier Collective x Hudson’s Bay
Hudson’s Bay and The Atelier Collective are hosting female-founded, Canadian brands in a dedicated pop-up market. Landing at the Hudson’s Bay Queen Street flagship on March 5, and running through to March 8, expect to see emerging and established lifestyle brands, like Smash + Tess, Cardea AuSet, Evio Beauty, Living Apothecary, ai Toronto Seoul, Mrkt Gallery, The Scented Market, Os & Oakes and Brunette the Label by Fashion Truck.
“We established The Atelier Collective to help bring new opportunities to female entrepreneurs that will work to propel their businesses forward,” says Taryn Herritt, co-founder of The Atelier Collective. “Creating a footprint at Hudson’s Bay’s flagship Toronto location will make it easy and accessible to find and shop these brands.”
Banana Republic
In honour of IWD, Banana Republic donated $100,000 to CARE. In an additional tribute to women, several special, message-packed pieces are available for sale, like The Empowerment Suit, which is a nod to suffragettes. This all-white fabric is a modern symbol of female empowerment and women breaking boundaries. @BananaRepublic Instagram followers have a chance to win with the IWD collection giveaway, too. Details on how to win limited-edition pieces, including jackets, T-shirts and knits with phrases from a feminist poet and spoken word artist Chinaka Hodge, are on their Instagram page.
Poppy & Peonies
This female-owned Canadian company created a limited-edition tote bag in support of women. These totes cost $25, and all proceeds will go to Girls Inc. In addition to this, Poppy & Peonies will carve $15 out of any other purchase over $150, donating it to Girls Inc.
Net-A-Porter
To celebrate International Women’s Day and Net-A-Porter’s 20th anniversary, 20 iconic female designers were invited to submit T-shirt designs, resulting in 20 exclusive shoppable pieces. Called the Incredible Women T-Shirts, this collection will be available as of March 6. Brands involved include Stella McCartney, Gabriela Hearst, Alexa Chung, Isabel Marant, Amina Muaddi, Carine Roitfeld, Jimmy Choo, Rotate, Bernadette, Rosie Assoulin, Staud, The Attico, The Range, The Frankie Shop, Ganni, Nanushka, Charlotte Tilbury, Cecile Bahnsen, Roxanne Assoulin, and Net-A-Porter x Ninety Percent collaboration. This is Net-A-Porter’s third year of partnership with Women for Women International. 100 per cent of Net-A-Porter’s proceeds from the T-shirts will be donated to the charity, which helps women living in war-torn countries rebuild their lives.
Addition Elle & Penningtons
Body positive brand Addition Elle and Penningtons have joined together on a limited-edition T-shirt, illustrated by Madison van Rijn, which embodies women from all walks of life. Proceeds from this T-shirt will go to the Canadian Foundation for Women’s Health. The T-shirt will be available through additionelle.com, penningtons.com and in select Addition Elle and Pennington stores. On top of this shopping initiative, this collaboration is also supported by the launch of a campaign celebrating women working towards breaking stereotypes.
Brunette the Label
100 per cent of online proceeds from Brunette the Label will go toward the charity One Girl Can.