givingkeys-2
Image: The Giving Keys

What is “conscious” style defined? “Conscious” by definition means to be aware of one’s surroundings, to be awake, to be mindful, or to be sensible. Combine that concept of awareness with one of more of the following attributes and what you’ll get is Conscious Style:

  • Made Locally
  • Eco-friendly or Sustainable
  • Fair Trade
  • Buy 1 Give 1 Model
  • Charitable Contributions
  • Made in the USA
  • Community Preservation + Entrepreneurial Initiatives- Provides jobs overseas
  • Delivers an empowering message

Thanks to the growing number of social giving entrepreneurs and pay it forward designers around the world, this definition of conscious style continues to evolve. This month’s style column focuses on changing the conversation about fashion by highlighting some awesome accessory brands that make you look good, do good (naturally) and give back (effortlessly)!


Article22

Article 22
#BombtoBracelet

Style Tips: The Article 22 jewelry line features beautiful handmade bangles, wrap bracelets, necklaces, rings, cuff links and spoon sets created by Laotian artisans. The name Article 22 comes from the Declaration of Human Rights. Each piece is made from Vietnam War era bombs, plane parts and other aluminum scrap. The signature Peacebomb bangles from the A22.1 collection are lightweight and look lovely layered or worn alone. Check out the latest additions to the collection, Resolution Wrap Bracelets and Jewelgram Tag Necklaces. Prices start at $18- and go up to $550 USD for A22.2 items.

Conversation Starters: The first Peacebomb bangle was created in 2010 and brought an ethical spin to the handcrafted jewelry line. Each bracelet sold demines 3m2 (3 square meters) of bomb littered land. Article 22 works with 12 farming families to cultivate the talent of these artisans and their families by promoting entrepreneurship and community development. Laotian locals took a constructive approach toward the destruction wrought by war by making beautiful spoons, then creating bracelets. Artisans are not receipts of charity but they are the agents of change through the purchases that are made. Name comes from the universal declaration of human rights.
“Peace is the Bomb” Jewelgram necklace, $75 | I Love Peace Bangle, $50 |City Love Peace Bangle, $50

 


 iSanctuary2

iSanctuary
Purchase with Purpose

Style Tips: The Purpose Jewelry collection offers a full range of cute, delicate bracelets, dainty necklaces, and dangling earrings all made by survivors of human trafficking. Sparkles, crystal beads, chevrons, and classic knots are just a few of the most fashionable features of this line. Most styles are available in brass, gold and silver. 100% of the proceeds from Purpose Jewelry benefit the survivors of human trafficking through iSanctuary. Check out the latest collection from iSanctuary’s Purpose Jewelry Collection featuring a variety of bangles, bracelets, necklaces and earrings. Prices start at $15-$40 USD.

Conversation Starters: Formed in 2007, iSanctuary is a non-profit organization based in Irvine, California and Mumbai, India. The mission at iSanctuary is to empowering people rescued from trafficking to embrace their identity and worth. Survivors at the iSanctuary Center in Mumbai are taught artisan jewelry skills and jewelry is prepared and packaged in Orange County, CA. The organization provides medical assistance, education, skills training, leadership opportunities and employment to survivors of commercial sexual exploitation. Mumbai, India is Asia’s largest sex industry center with more than 100,000 sexually exploited individuals (primarily young women) each year. Each purchase provides employment, job training, and the financial stability survivors need to provide for themselves and their families. The organization’s long term vision is to establish 10 sanctuaries where girls and women can join healthy workplace communities by 2020.
Chevron Necklace, $34 | Barbed Stud Earrings, $22 


HalfUnited

Half United
Fashion That Feeds

Style Tips: The Half United jewelry line is made from recycled bullet casings, a peaceful yet powerful symbol to represent the fight against hunger. Half United necklaces, chunky bracelets, and funky earrings stand out because of their unique geometric shapes, gorgeous gemstones and signature bright bursts of color. Why bullet casings? The repurposed bullet casings come from a target shooting range in Wilmington, North Carolina and serve as a simple reminder of the good deed done to help a child in need. Check out the latest items in the Half United collection including: The Ali Earrings, The Honeybee Bracelet in Black and the Triple Threat Layered Necklace. Prices start at $12-$118 USD.

Conversation Starters: Sibling founders Carmin and Christian Black started their business, Half United, with one simple goal: to donate half their profits from every product sold to help fight the global hunger epidemic. All Half United jewelry and apparel purchases provide the opportunity to feed children who would not normally receive nutritional meals at school or at home. Since 2010, Half United has given over 113,000 meals to children in need. Half United feeds children in the USA, Cambodia, Madagascar and Fiji. The Half United team is partnered with four major food banks including: Food Bank USA, Cape Fear Volunteer Center (USA), Empower Advocates International (Madagascar & Cambodia) and Northern Christian Training Center (Fiji).
IThe Kenny, $28 | The Kimberly Cuff in Sunset Yellow, $59


 GivingKeys

The Giving Keys

Style Tips: Simple keys on simple chains. Each key is unique and hand-stamped with a message like “LOVE”, “INSPIRE”, “DREAM”, “STRENGTH”, or with a custom message option. The Giving Keys accessories line includes necklaces, bracelets, rings and phone covers. The collection comes in a wide variety of chains including antique gold, stainless silver, oxidized brass, vintage gold and silver, 24K gold, 24K white gold and more. Inspired by creating change, The Giving Keys founder, actress and singer/songwriter Caitlin Crosby wore an old hotel key on a necklace and decided to start engraving old, used keys with inspirational words. Shortly after, she added a charitable dimension to the business and the rest is history. Check out the newest necklace, the Rebel Pendant necklace and the Limited Edition goodHyouman x The Giving Keys “Give” t-shirt. Prices start at $25-$95 USD.

Conversation Starters: The Giving Keys exists to employ those transitioning out of homelessness to make jewelry out of repurposed keys. When the wearer of the key encounters someone else who needs the message on the key, they give it away and send the story to back to The Giving Keys team to share their story of the key being paid forward. Currently, The Giving Keys are partnering with Chrysalis, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles dedicated to helping homeless and low-income individuals by providing the resources and support needed to find and retain employment.
XL Pendant on Silver Chain, $45 | Never Ending Bracelet, $48 | Rebel Never Ending Bracelet, $87


 Efva


Efva Attling
Beauty with a Thought

Style Tips: Swedish jewelry designer Efva Attling is inspired by words and expressions. As a former model and musician, she wanted to continue to move people with her words but instead of inspiration through song, she wanted people to be able to wear it. The Efva Attling collection is composed of a variety of stunning silver, gold and precious stone arrangements including strategic charitable partnerships with Doctors without Borders and the American Red Cross. Accessories include beautiful silver rings, necklaces, earrings, cuff links, watches, bracelets and wedding collection. Check out the newest items from Efva Attling: The Viking Ring necklace, Catch a Falling Star Earrings and Ear Cuff. Prices start at $110-$5,000 and up for items with precious stones.

Conversation Starter: The Imagine Collection includes the “Imagine” ring and “Imagine” necklace. Both pieces are reversible with the words “Peace” on one side and “Imagine” on the other. With each purchase, a 30% donation will go to benefit Doctors without Borders, an international medical humanitarian organization providing independent assistance in more than 60 countries worldwide, to people whose survival is threatened by neglect, violence or catastrophe due to malnutrition, epidemics and natural disasters. In collaboration with The Red Cross, Attling created the Angels Necklace and Cross Bracelet to remember all the children and families who lost their lives during the Tsunami disaster of 2004. The Angels Necklace comes in silver and gold and with each purchase, $70 USD will be donated directly to the Red Cross. With each purchase of the Cross Bracelet, $30USD will be donated directly to the Red Cross.
Imagine Ring, $245 | Imagine Necklace, $305

Stay tuned for next month: Conscious Picks on Cool Menswear & Cloth

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From the Editor
At Conscious, we are inspired by remarkable people, and so we set out to tell stories that highlight real human interactions and human dignity. You can read more stories like this when you pick up your copy of Conscious Magazine. Subscribe today via our Conscious Shop and subscribe to Conscious Updates.