You know when you meet someone or discover a brand that you're instantly drawn to, though you're not sure why?
Love The People was that brand for me. After my very first interaction working with Founders Ro and Bree, it became obvious: their brand is so much more than clothing. It's a vision. They love people above all else; their clothes are merely a vehicle for their message.
Their mission is their brand name—love the people. All people. But they don't mind challenging others, reinforcing the belief that we can have discourse and be loving. We don't have to be like-minded, just like-hearted.
It's okay to wear your heart on your sleeve. Literally.
This acknowledgement that we can still love and respect one another, even when we disagree, feels especially true and timely these days. So does the message they put out through their designs and imagery that love is not always unicorns and rainbows. It can be fierce, challenging, and at times heartbreaking. The brand is meant to serve as a conversation starter—which it often does when curious minds see their items out in the world—while always reminding people to live the principles of loving everyone.
"Love hasn't left, it's been asleep" is a sentiment you'll see across their clothing and accessories since its inception during COVID lockdowns. In 2020 Ro and Bree wondered "why are good people behaving in such unnatural ways?" They noticed that our smallest human interactions—a simple hello, a smile—were suddenly ripped from our lives thanks to masks and social distancing. With this they created Love The People to encourage people to reconnect during COVID, and reignite the love we once showed one another.
Their approach to loving people is full circle.
From the creation of the garment to the customer experience, it's clear that Love The People cares—deeply. Not only do they give 110% of themselves to every business decision, every customer journey, and every interaction, they also choose manufacturing and shipping partners who are held to the highest ethical and production standards.
By partnering with B Corp apparel manufacturer Known Supply, they ensure their 100% fair trade organic cotton garments are made in facilities that celebrate and honor their makers. That means when you buy something from Love The People, you can scan a QR code that allows you to meet the person who made it, and know that your purchase helped support sustainable wages and ethical production. They also give back 10% of each purchase to World Central Kitchen as part of their mission to feed the people.
While the environment suffers the consequences of fast-fashion, brands like Love The People have an uphill battle when it comes to educating consumers about the importance—and consequently the higher costs—of slow fashion. It's going to take a massive consumer mindset shift to completely eradicate wasteful fast fashion practices, with those who understand and value ethical and sustainable fashion leading the charge.
I share this in hopes that Love The People will inspire other brands to embed their values every step of the way. Everything Love The People does is rooted in their values, from partnering with B Corp manufacturers, to using responsible shipping materials, and donating a portion of each sale. When your beliefs and values are rooted in your products and your business model, you'll be well on your way to creating an authentically impactful brand that resonates deeply with your target audience. Plus you'll never have to worry if your messaging comes off as fake or "greenwashing" if you live your values every single day.
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