Look down. What do you see? Ok, sure, the ground but you probably also see your shoes, pants, and shirt. Have you ever considered where they came from–and I don’t mean American Eagle.
Krystle Marks decided to take a second look. As soon as she found out what was really going on behind the scenes of her favorite fall fit, she knew she couldn’t stand idly by. The excitement of a new outfit was quickly dampened when she discovered the reality of the poor working conditions and low pay given to the hands that produced it. There are over 40 million garment workers today, 85% of them women making less than $3 a day (and you thought on-campus jobs were underpaid). Extreme poverty makes women more at risk for sex trafficking, domestic abuse and slave labor.
Marks was determined to break this cycle. Through much prayer, Lev Apparel, a clothing brand, was born. Their goal is to stop trafficking by giving higher-paying, increased-benefit jobs to impoverished women around the world. By working with other businesses and organizations as well as hearing the stories of the women they seek to serve, Lev is truly making an impact. Lev Apparel seeks to create a work en
vironment that seeks to break away from hustle culture while creating high-quality pieces. They allow flexible hours, shorter work weeks, and breaks, and nurture clear communication with employees–perks that are unheard of in developing countries.
Their clothing products, along with their mission, is equally counter-cultural. While the fashion industry seeks to foster comparison and an unhealthy obsession with body image, Lev Apparel encourages women to not let their outfit decisions be based on current trends.
Lev Apparel seeks to address real social problems in a unique way. I love how the owner combined her passion for fashion to meet a real need. Lev Apparel doesn’t just donate a portion of its proceeds, it actively implements its mission in an innovative way.
Check them out at: https://levapparel.com/
Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lev.apparel/
Combining something you love and are passionate about with a real need creates something special and powerful. Krystle did that so well with her business, and I love how passionate she is about helping women.
I like how Krystle’s whole idea for this business started from her concern and worry about the large groups of women that are often put in dangerous working environments that are hard to get out of. She wasn’t thinking about herself, as she could’ve easily brushed the problem aside and just continued to shop and get clothes as she’s not the one in those poor conditions. However, she didn’t ignore the issue, and instead took action. I admire Krystle’s mission in starting this business and her wanting to help break the far to common cycle workers face.
This is awesome. It’s so good to hear that Krystle was selfless enough to not distance herself from the reality of the working conditions that many companies allow in their overseas businesses. And not only that, but her standing up and doing something about it is incredible! The fact that she made something that enables others to be part of the solution by supporting it by the comfort of their own homes is genius. What a venture!