It’s true, fashion can be guilty of taking a serious societal movement and making it a trend to follow. This can make it difficult to detect labels that really want to use their platforms and their money for good. But they exist!

If you want to make room in your wardrobe for pieces that look great and go the extra mile to give back authentically to Mental Health resources and organizations, you’ve come to the right place. From feel-good vibes from Mayfair Group to classic jewelry from Kendra Scott, discover the stories behind nine brands’ reasons to give back. Kudos to fashion shopping that’s good for your mind and oh then fabulous for your body.

The Mayfair Group

“The Empathy, Always collection has become one of our most iconic staples,” says Sam Abrahart, Founder of Mayfair Group. “It sends a powerful message and is a great reminder for anyone who wears it or sees it.” Mayfair’s seriousness about its mission to help raise awareness and de-stigmatize Mental health, however, hasn’t dampened the sense of fun in its designs – on the contrary, it fuels it. And that has made this brand a real celebrity favourite. Tracksuits with phrases like “Your emotions are valid” and scrawled crewnecks have been spotted on everyone from Jennifer Lopez to Bella Hadid. The good vibes extend beyond clothes, too: Last spring, Mayfair launched a therapy fund in partnership with MyWellbeing, a mental health organization that connects people with behavioral health providers.

The local love club

If the phrase “You can sit with us” was a fashion label, it would be the Local Love Club. Founder Maeve Reilly was bullied growing up and her brand of tracksuits was designed as a way to turn the script on its head. “It’s really important to me to use my platform to help spread positivity through wearable, comfortable and relevant clothing,” she says. (An example? A super-soft sweatshirt with the phrase “Love More World Tour” printed on it.) Beyond making inclusive clothing, Reilly also donates a portion of the brand’s profits to the campaign. Kind, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and aims to prevent bullying among girls.

THAT DOES NOT BOTHER ME

“A customer told us that she bought one of our t-shirts when she was suffering from depression and was afraid to tell her mother about it,” explains Edward Schmit, co-founder of the campaign. mental health IDONTMIND. “The shirt inspired a conversation between them and she started getting treatment. She credits this conversation with the potential to save her life. IDONTMIND merchandise – hoodies, sweatshirts, t-shirts, hats, accessories and drinkware – supports the campaign’s mission to build a world without shame from sharing unfiltered thoughts and feelings. One hundred percent of proceeds support Mental Health America. The IDONTMIND website also has a wealth of resources, including articles with helpful tips and Q&As with therapists.

Happiness Project

From graphic tees to a collab with Toms, Happiness Project’s clothing and accessories lines are almost always adorned with design details like mood-enhancing smiley faces or cheerful tie-dyes. Founder Jake Lavin was inspired to create the optimism-infused brand after a high school classmate tragically lost his battle with mental illness. Since then, Lavin has tried to educate as many people as possible about mental health. “The more educated the world, the more we can work together to save lives and help those who are suffering,” he says. Happiness Project donates 15% of its profits to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

DannyCalero

“I started making clothes to deal with a breakup and a tough time in my life,” says designer Danny Calero. Then he turned his hobby into an enduring brand that offers upcycled vintage pieces — punky throws, worn utilitarian vests — that draw inspiration from all sorts of aesthetics. Now, he uses his growing platform to share his creativity and also help his supporters. Calero recently held a used clothing raffle where people donated a few dollars each and all proceeds went to the Jed Foundation, a youth suicide prevention nonprofit. His future projects? Create a mental health Discord group with other creatives so artists can more easily connect with each other about mental health issues.

shine the light

Once, while Shine the Light On (STLO) founder Eli Brown was unpacking some merchandise in a store, a woman read her brand story on a hang tag and started crying. Her son had died by suicide weeks before. He was also called Eli. Brown felt a connection — he’d struggled with drugs and alcohol after being sexually abused, and he’d created STLO so no one would have to go through a similar thing alone. Her community now has help at their fingertips thanks to the brand’s support of organizations like Mindfulness Without Borders and the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

These surnames also support access to mental health care

Kate Spade

With a mission to help women and girls access mental health resources, Kate Spade regularly donates to groups like the Trevor Project.

Kenneth Cole

Kenneth Cole founded the Mental Health Coalition, made up of organisations, brands and individuals which he believes is the largest existing platform for collective resources.

Kendra Scott

Optimism for a new day is the inspiration behind Kendra Scott’s sun and moon charm, which will send 20% of profits to mental health charities.

Market Editor: Andrea Zendejas