Designers and organizations have moved beyond interviews and social media messages to make a statement. Today, designers, activists and influencers are flexing their creative muscles and have merchandise with messages. Right On! Digital is spotlighting several brands that are promoting causes.
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Flaunt the Vote is a new bold, contemporary fashion accessory line designed to champion civic engagement and increase voter turnout, especially with youth, Latinx, BIPOC & LGBTQIA+, with a staggering 40% benefiting Rock the Vote, Vote.org and HeadCount. The line of earrings, scarves and pins is extremely affordable, from $7.50-32.50, and is available exclusively online.
Photo by Emily Joe
For years, LA-based art director Michael Chesler (BIPOC, LGBTQIA+ creative) has been helping companies like Adidas and BeautyCon rebrand, now he is creating his own brand with the purpose of igniting a conversation and inspiring people to vote. The line of sleek, stylish and patriotic items includes the following:
Courtesy Flaunt The Vote
- Statement Earrings: Make your voice heard without having to say a word. Refined design and a timeless aesthetic make this classic collection perfect for any voter. $12.50-32.50
- Bandanas: Carry this message while you cover up: VOTE. These multi-purpose bandanas range from bold to minimal and can serve as a trendy accessory to any outfit. $9.00-18.50
- Pins: Inspired by the iconic “I Voted” sticker, our pin collection packs a little more personality and a lot more polish. No shade to the sticker, though. $7.50-10.00
Available exclusively online at https://flauntthe.vote/ and in the Facebook and Instagram Shop
Few who witnessed the Vice-Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence will forget Harris asserting her right to speak–without interruption. Silversmith activist English Norman was writing postcards for the Georgia Postcard Project with her 11-year-old daughter when the women in the online group started responding deeply to the sentiment, as the phrase went viral nation and worldwide.
ArtistsUntold, a Black-owned streetwear brand, launched to provide up-and-coming underrepresented artists with the opportunity to promote and monetize their artwork through apparel sales. The apparel brand champions diversity and powerful messages to give budding artists a platform to share their talent. All artists receive a direction portion of the profit from each sale.Jordan Abdur-Raoof founded ArtistsUntold in February of 2020. While in college, Jordan started IvyUntold, a website devoted to sharing minority stories and experiences on Ivy League campuses. This has since been made into a campus organization, and Jordan started thinking about what he could do to continue to empower those without a voice.Interestingly enough, it wasn’t his love for art or fashion, but rather his experience as a basketball player that helped him round out his founding team. He first spoke to Alexander Lee, a product manager, and former software engineer, to build out the ArtistsUntold website. The two had been basketball teammates growing up before becoming college rivals (Abdur-Raoof played at Cornell and Lee at Princeton). And finally, they brought on another former Princeton hooper and fellow art enthusiast, Steven Cook, a venture capitalist and expert in startup operations. Check out the ArtistsUntold apparel at https://artistsuntold.com/
collections
Credit: Holland Reid Photography
Instagram- @official_holland_reid
Girl Power rules! Power of Girls is a nonprofit that introduces teenage girls to international travel as a way of building confidence, leadership skills, and self-awareness. The Atlanta-based organization recently launched a line of unisex T-shirts and sweatshirts that come in such colors and blue, white and grey. All proceeds will be used to promote Power of Girls programming. For more information, visit linktr.ee/thepowerofgirls.
Credit: The Power Of Girls
Credit: Global Angel
