Affirmations in Reverse, Sort of…

Bamboo-Fabric Tees That Make Everybody Happy

When Kathryn Haydn-Hays read a story six years ago about forced child labor in foreign sweatshops, she realized that she didn’t know where her clothes really came from. “I really understood, for the first time, that nearly everything we purchase has a direct effect on people around the world, whether it’s an environmental or socio-economic impact,” says Haydn-Hays.

So she made it her life’s work to raise awareness and create more conscientious consumers. She started Affirm-Aware.org, a website which sells bamboo and organic cotton fabric tee-shirts, soy candles, organic reusable totes, and lovely unique jewelry — all created by 100% sweatshop-free labor.

But Kathyrn wanted to go a step further. She wanted to print affirmations on the tee-shirts so that the wearer would benefit from reading it every time he or she looked in the mirror, so she printed reverse images of the affirmations and called them “AffirmaTees.” (The “Duet” line has the affirmation both forwards and backwards, for those that want to spread the happy thoughts in both directions.) The site also features an “Affirmation Cafe” which has tips for meditation and positive thinking.

The all-natural (and super-comfy) tees have become a hit with Hollywood fashionistas, who probably appreciate the colorful butterfly designs as well as the more meditative message. And the company’s delicious-smelling candles have affirmations for Peace, Love, Prosperity, and Unity, each with a different combination of essential oils.

Affirm Aware works as hard on their philanthropic drive as they do on the integrity of their product line. Kathyrn donates no less than 10% of sales to various like-minded organizations, and her site features “Action Campaigns” where you can easily and directly engage in helping critical situations around the world. Haydn-Hays states, “If one person thinks differently about what they purchase, or begins to foster a more harmonious world because of the affirmations they use in their everyday life, my job is done.”