Bluebonnets have bloomed and that late-winter cold spell has come and gone, which can only mean one thing: Spring really has sprung. Stay in season with new looks and some renewed karma. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite pieces for any Austin wardrobe that have an emphasis on giving back.
Flash Tattoos Illia Collection, $25
The Austin-based luxury temporary tattoo company has taken shine to a whole new level with a new philanthropic collection. Flash Tattoos has partnered with Rainforest Partnership, another Austin-based organization, devoted to replenishing and preserving the world’s rapidly vanishing rainforests. Kirsten Stoddard, Flash Tattoos marketing and PR manager, says the company’s constant media attention allowed a platform to raise awareness through the new giving back initiatives.
"We decided that since we’re getting all of this love and attention from the media and our customers, we wanted to shine a light, literally, on these platforms that are so meaningful to us."
The Illia Collection is especially unique, as it is Flash Tattoo’s first collection that incorporates color. Inspired by the vibrant jewel-toned hues of the rainforest, Illia is an eye-catching blend of metallics, fuchsias, electric blues and bright greens. The Beyonce-endorsed tattoo brand has truly outdone itself with the new collection. We guarantee you’ll see Illia at music festivals, garden parties and on the beach well into the summer. Flash Tattoos gives 5 percent of proceeds of the Illia Collection to Rainforest Partnership.
Hari Mari Flip Flops
The Texas-based sandal company continues its mission to give back with Flip Your Flips, a recycling event that will reward customers 15 percent off a new pair of Hari Maris in exchange of their old flops. Bring your tired sandals to any Whole Earth Provisions on Saturday, April 25, and keep sandals out of Texas landfills. Lila Stewart, co-owner of Hari Mari, says the event is a way to shop responsibly, and look good doing so.
“Most of the world’s flip flops are made out of foam and other non-recyclable materials, making them harmful to landfills. Flip Your Flips is a way for participating customers to recycle their flops instead of just throwing them out. This event is all about inspiring responsibility. While we can’t change the materials that go into making most of the world’s flip flops, we can change how we dispose of them,” Stewart tells CultureMap.
With new spring colors and collections like Dunes, Hari Mari boasts an array of styles any Austinite will love. Whether you’re headed to the pool or a casual dinner date, you’ll strut in style (and with some seriously positive karma in tow).
Fortress of Inca Kina sandals, $170
Snag the perfect spring sandal with the artisanal handmade Kina. Crafted by Peruvian cobblers, the Kina makes a bold statement of quality and mindfulness. Made with supple calf leather and a cushy padded rubber sole, these fashionable footies are made to last with the initiative of fair wages in mind.
With every pair of shoes sold, Fortress of Inca ensures a fair wage environment for Peruvian cobblers. Walk easy in your new Kinas, knowing that you helped a family stay economically empowered. Find Fortress of Inca's line at favorite Austin boutiques like Etcetera, Etc. and Headdress.
Grayers gingham shirt, $73
What’s spring without a splash of gingham? This ultra-cool shirt is the perfect piece to tie together a look for a park picnic or a night on West Sixth Streetwith the guys. Complete with mother of pearl buttons and a tailored slim fit, Grayers may have made the best gingham shirt we’ve ever come across.
Purchase this piece (and all the other cool new arrivals at STAG) on Earth Day, April 22, to give 5 percent of STAG’s gross proceeds to local nonprofits as part of Austin Give 5. Rack up new swag while helping the Hill Country Conservancy, Austin Parks Foundation, Shoal Creek Conservancy and more. It's a literal win-win.
Dunes, Hari Mari, $45
