Images via KAYU

From entirely one-of-a-kind sunnies to clutches favored by royals and starlets alike, KAYU‘s made it clear they’re power players in the world of style. At the forefront of their agenda though isn’t the glory that comes with being a coveted brand – it’s providing relief to those in developing nations.

Background 
Launched by Jamie Lim in 2009, California-based KAYU is all about the preservation of craftsmanship, ecology, and ethics. Calling upon artisans who’ve dedicated their work to keeping age-old techniques alive, not a detail is spared in creating quality pieces (a clutch, for example, can take more than three weeks to hand-produce). And by using all natural materials like shells, bamboo, and straw, each piece is a celebration of the environment in which they’re made.

How it works
KAYU’s charity model is straight-to-the-point, and utterly effective. For every pair of glasses the company sells, 2% of proceeds go to Unite for Sight, a non-profit organization that makes vision-restoring surgery accessible for people in developing nations. And for every clutch or handbag purchased, 2% of proceeds go toward the purchase of backpacks and school supplies for children in rural Cambodia (through Awareness Cambodia).

Preserving artistic tradition, the environment, and a sense of comfort for those in need? Talk about a feel-good purchase.

By Sarah Stanley, Staff Writer

Want to learn more about stylish acts of charity? Check our blog’s In Good Fashion column, every Thursday.

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