Purchases that can express solidarity
>>> The aftermath of the devastating California wildfires and a shooting in Thousand Oaks looms heavy and somber over the West Coast. ¶ The Camp fire in Northern California’s Butte County has left 88 people dead and destroyed more than 18,000 structures (to date). It’s California’s deadliest and most destructive fire. The Woolsey fire scorched parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including Malibu, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks, the last of which was doubly struck by tragedy when a gunman killed 12 at the Borderline Bar and Grill on Nov. 7. ¶ Many fashion and lifestyle brands have stepped up to pledge support for the affected communities. Below are a few of the ways you can stylishly support the recent wildfire victims, firefighters, local victims of gun violence and the organizations working to end gun violence.
Toms
On the “Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” Toms Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie announced the launch of a campaign aimed at ending gun violence in America. “We are evolving our giving model,” Mycoskie said, “so Toms not only will continue to give shoes, but we will give considerable resources to the causes and the most important issues of our time.” Toms is kicking off its campaign with a $5-million donation to a coalition of organizations working to address the issue. Toms’ End Gun Violence Together tees ($27.95) and sweatshirts ($59.95) are available at toms.com. At the Toms website, visitors also can send a postcard to their member of Congress urging passage of universal background checks.
Heidi Merrick
The Los Angeles-based designer known for her clean and minimalist approach to California-centric style is currently donating 20% of all SRF collection proceeds toward fire relief and helping the victims of the wildfires. The SRF collection offers unisex cotton sweatshirts and T-shirts with “SRF LA” and more options emblazoned across the front. Prices range from $64 to $135, available at heidimerrick.com.
Kaufmann Mercantile and AHALife
A lifestyle and home goods e-commerce site known for a curated mix of stylish products from around the globe, Kaufmann Mercantile and its sister company AHALife will donate $5 to the California Fire Foundation on orders of $50 or more through Dec. 19 to help victims of the state’s wildfires.
Lakers store
During a pregame moment of silence before the Nov. 11 home matchup against the Atlanta Hawks, the Los Angeles Lakers wore black T-shirts with a single word written in all-caps across the front, “Enough.” These were worn to acknowledge victims of the Thousand Oaks shooting and to raise awareness about gun violence. The T-shirts are available for purchase, with 100% of the proceeds going to the families of the victims of the Thousand Oaks tragedy through the Ventura County Community Foundation. They’re $19.99 at lakersstore.com.
Hood Hat
A luxury baseball cap brand that pays homage to iconic neighborhoods across the United States, Hood Hat is honoring SoCal firefighters. The brand, by Los Angelesbased Max Nelson, is donating 50% of profits from its Calabasas and Hidden Hills hats to the corresponding fire stations. The hats are priced at $49 and available at hoodhat.com.
100% Pure
Natural beauty brand 100% Pure is donating 100% of proceeds from a special-edition Wildfire Relief skin care set. The $120 Wildfire Relief Set — which includes Coconut Oil Cleansing Milk, Deep Hydration Sheet Mask, Green Tea EGCG Concentrate Serum and Argan Oil — can be purchased online at 100percentpure.com. The funds raised will help animals injured or displaced by California wildfires; beneficiary organizations include North Valley Animal Disaster Group, Mad Dog Rescue and Marin Humane.
James Perse
James Perse has designed two California Relief Tees to raise money to support those affected by the Woolsey fires. The company is donating 100% of profits from the sale of the Tshirts to nonprofit organizations, including California Fire Foundation and Direct Relief. “To personally experience the devastation of the Woolsey fires has defined for me what a community truly means — our love for all life, friends, animals and our environment. … Please help me support the families and victims of all the tragic events that our beloved state of California has endured,” wrote the brand’s namesake founder (himself a Malibu resident) in announcing the charity tee program. The tees are available at jamesperse.com for pre-order. Those who wish to donate to the cause will have the option of purchasing one of the tees for $125, $250, $500 or $1,000.
Alice + Olivia
Whimsical contemporary clothing company Alice + Olivia by Stacey Bendet is supporting the Entertainment Industry Foundation’s fire relief fund and California first responders. The mission is to equip every firefighter with a hydration backpack, which carries three quarts of water. Each costs $275, and more than 3,000 are needed. People can contribute online at aliceandolivia.com.