*FINAL SALE – These products may not be returned or exchanged. Select styles for $24.95 each applies to U.S. orders placed on Keds.com. Does not apply to past purchases and cannot be combined with any other $ or % offers. No code required. Discount applies to already select styles only. Excludes gifts cards. Some restrictions may apply
PROGRESS IS being community-focused
By Christina Fagan Pardy
Entrepreneur, mom, Founder and Chief
Knitting Officer of Sh*t That I Knit
Photographed in Boston by Dana Curran
Over the past few years of building Sh*t That I Knit, I've noticed that today's consumers view buying as more than just a transaction, and choose to purchase from brands whose ideologies resonate with their own. They look for brands with ethical business practices, and support businesses with eco-friendly missions and positive social impacts. Gone are the days of walking into a department store and making a big purchase without some research. This progress and shift in buying power puts the onus on brands to be transparent. I built Sh*t That I Knit under this premise. When I started our Instagram in 2014, I hadn't even officially launched any products yet. I focused on creating the brand first, and the product second. I spent the first year of STIK creating a community of people who were passionate about hand-knit accessories.
As the company scaled, I made the decision to outsource production to a female artisan group in Lima, Peru. Visiting our team in Peru cemented in my mind how important it is to hire these women--allowing them to stay close to their families, knit from home, take care of their children, and bring in a real income.
“Today's consumers view buying as more than just a transaction, and choose to purchase from brands whose ideologies resonate with their own.”
We take pride in sharing our artisans’ stories, and I frequently hear feedback about how our customers would gladly pay more for a product knowing the positive impact it has on its makers and the environment.
Manufacturing a hand knit accessory both sustainably and at scale is not an easy feat. I always felt strongly about using my company and platform as a way to do good, and I'd rather lose a couple dollars on our margin and employ these incredible knitters in Peru who rely on this income to support their families. And I'd much rather know where our materials are coming from, source them sustainably, and produce quality products.
PHOTOGRAPHER SPOTLIGHT
Dana Curran, @henryandmac New England
The Keds Hand-Book for Women: the progress issue
Progress is stagnant
Michelle Dalzon, founder of theBOM (Black-Owned Market) on increasing the circulation of the Black dollar.
Progress is finding your passion
InStyle’s Fashion and Beauty editor-at-large, Kahlana Barfield Brown, on finding your passion both inside and outside the office.
Power is leading by example
One of our favorite collaborators, Joy Cho, on finding the power to pursue professional passions while juggling the roles of wife and mother.