Crowdfunding: The Coolest Fashion Campaigns This Season

Fashion is more than what we wear, and how we wear it: it is a form of art and self expression, one of those critical essences that shape society and influence behaviors. Fashion is not just clothing, or just accessories, because it shapes beliefs, it builds character and also, because it connects people.

When we talk about fashion, we don't talk only about trends, but about cultural values, so different across the globe, yet similar at the core. Moving forward, when fashion counts on our support to achieve a social goal, brings another issue to our attention: fashion matters enough to shape moral values as well.

This season, Indiegogo, Kickstarter, and other crowdfunding platforms are stage to some of the most interesting, and extraordinary fashion projects of the year. Here are five of them:

Book In a Blanket - The Gift that Gives

Still 24 days to go, this little project will donate one "Book in a Blanket" to a child in need, for each "Book in a Blanket" you buy. The business is based on the "buy one, give one" model coined by TOMS. Besides encouraging social entrepreneurship, the project also encourages literacy. The blankets are made of 100% certified organic Pakucho cotton, free of harmful substances. They are extra large, and suitable for small babies, toddlers and children of all ages.

Passages: A Watch by William Shatner and Egard

For Star Trek fans, Captain James Tiberius Kirk needs no introduction, and imagine their excitement to be able to own a watch designed by their hero. This campaign  still has 17 days to go, but it already raised 573% over its 75.000 USD goal.

METAmorph Dress by Thieves

How about a luxurious dress, made of organic bamboo stretch jersey, that can be worn in 24 different ways? This campaign has 23 days to go, and has all the chances to achieve its goal, because the product is outstanding, but also because a percentage of the sales will go to charities that work towards a sustainable future.

IVYLISH: Premium Jewelry That Changes Lives

With 15 days to go, this campaign needs less than $ 4000 to achieve its goal. If you care about the developing world, this is your chance to make a small contribution. You will get beautiful handmade jewelry by artisans from the developing world, and you will also support Kids Without Borders.

Puzzle Apparel

This is a project involving  American hand weavers, fabric painters, printers and dyers to create luxury handmade accent fabrics that enhance any outfit.  Every Puzzle Apparel fashion item has accent areas that are completely customizable, and all fabrics are handmade, limited editions. 

Indiegogo has several other campaigns, most with a social entrepreneurship element. If you are not into fashion, you can always browse other categories, to find unique gadgets in tech, or good new books to read. Whatever your passion, you will find a small business owner struggling to raise funds to bring a dream to life. You can make a difference this giving season, and support bootstrapped businesses. In many instances you can enjoy a valuable tax deduction with your gift.

Delia Gavrilescu loves fashion and good causes. She is passionate about travel, and writes for Argophilia Travel News.