This section is dedicated to companies that are giving back—helping people while making the world a more beautiful place.

JETS Swimwear Australia

Joining the 21st-century revolution to create a cleaner, healthier planet, JETS is committed to manufacturing a line of swimwear and resortwear crafted with sustainable fabrications. The need for sustainability is reflected in the fact that global markets create an estimated 15 million tons of textile waste each year, destined for landfills. In fact, “the clothing industry is the second-largest polluter in the world, second only to oil,” according to the designer Eileen Fisher, recipient of Fashion Group International’s Sustainability Award.

To help combat this problem, JETS utilizes in its swimwear such fabrics as RENEW PLUS, an innovative, environmentally friendly and sustainable fabric that combines ECONYL regenerated nylon and LYCRA XTRA LIFE. The manufacturer Aquafil creates ECONYL out of nylon waste recycled from such sources as discarded fishing nets, carpets and textiles.

Balancing the desire for performance with sustainability, the use of Naia by Eastman has also been introduced to the JETS collection. Naia is a bio-based material that comes from sustainably managed forests and is manufactured in a socially responsible manner in the U.S.A. Manufactured by one of the “World’s Most Ethical Companies,” as awarded by the Ethisphere Institute, Eastman cellulosic yarn has received certification by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred program.

The benefits of using these new sustainable fabrics are outstanding quality, durability, fit and comfort, two-way stretch, UV protection and chlorine resistance. • jetsswimwear.com

HHP/Helping Hands Partners

Working with impoverished people around the globe—including the United States, Haiti, Colombia and Cambodia—HHP strives to create “Goods That Do Good,” as its motto states. The extensive line of products (not limited to beach and summer seasons) includes beautiful handcrafted bags of all sizes, tech cases and jewelry in vivid color combinations. Luxurious bath and spa products made only from the finest ingredients are created under the sister brand, 1eleven. HHP provides job training, mentorship and professional development. Its artisans around the world receive critically needed support, including healthcare, education, clean water, transportation and a living wage in a fair-trade practice environment.

As it works to build its ethical lifestyle brands, the company strives to build the hopes, careers and self-worth of its artisans. Lives and communities are united like the weaving of threads.

Susu by HHP is a collection of unique and colorful bags, totes, clutches and pouches that represent the ancestral art of the indigenous Wayúu people, who reside in the state of La Guajira, Colombia.

Tulia by HHP utilizes palm leaves that have been sustainably harvested and natural dyes to create beautiful woven cuffs and bracelets. They’re meticulously crafted by Wounaan artisans, people who fell victim to forced displacement due to armed conflict in Colombia. Proceeds benefit the Wounaan Cultural Preservation Foundation.

From the Creole word for beautiful color, bel koule by HHP features leather accessories hand-painted by female artisans, ages 19 to 27, who are transitioning out of orphan care in Port au Prince, Haiti.

HHP products make a fashion statement with social impact, making the world a better place and enhancing the lives of countless individuals. • hhplift.com

Trollbeads

In 1976 in his father Svend Nielsen’s jewelry shop in central Copenhagen, Soren “Silversmith” Nielsen developed the very first of the now-extensive collection of Trollbeads. The Faces Bead featured six faces on a single sterling silver bead, which dangled from a leather cord necklace fed through an opening in the center of the bead.

Later, Lise Aagaard, Soren’s sister, began to place the beads on silver bracelets in her own jewelry store. As the story goes, it was a customer’s idea to place more than one bead on a bracelet, which led to the creation of the Trollbeads brand.

Today Trollbeads can be found in more than 400 cities worldwide. More than 100 jewelry designers from all over the world contribute to the collection, which now features more than 600 beads. The beads tell the story of diversity, personal taste and self-expression.

The extensive product catalog includes bracelets, necklaces, earrings, rings and accessories, all crafted from high-quality raw materials like 18-karat gold, sterling silver, freshwater pearls, semi-precious stones and leather. In 2001, glass beads were introduced to the collection and have become world-renowned for their unique beauty. A men’s collection is also available.

“At Trollbeads, we believe in two things: operating from our hearts and maintaining social responsibility,” said Aagaard. “These values are essential factors for us when running a global business.” A member of The Responsible Jewelry Council since 2010 and a Red Cross Ambassador since 2015, Aagaard and her company, with the assistance of the Tibet Charity Organization, developed the Tibet Beads project in 2005, providing unemployed Tibetan refugees in India with an opportunity to learn new skills and earn an income. In 2010, Trollbeads launched a similar initiative in the small African nation of Malawi. • trollbeads.com

Airavata Swimwear

Airavata is an exquisitely handcrafted collection of unique swimwear for women and men. Styles are offered in basic, bright, and pastel solids and print combinations. Many of the women’s silhouettes are meticulously adorned with strategically placed, brightly colored opaque and transparent sequins, combined with mesh details.

Based in Colombia, Airavata’s logo is an artistic interpretation of Airaavatha—a mythological white elephant representing light, peace and tranquility. Resortwear pieces, silky-soft pareo scarves as well as a bridal capsule round out the collection.

There is one more unique element to this line. It is handmade by prison inmates in Colombia. According to the designer, Carolina Ganan, “there is a population deprived of freedom that has a lot of potential and who just need a second chance.”

Giving people a purpose while teaching them how to be artisans and helping change lives for the better is a great example of manufacturers giving back and helping to make the world a better place—a better place with beautiful swimwear! • airavataswimwear.com

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