Founded by women and run by women at every level, Carrie Amber Intimates designs L.A.-inspired lingerie and everyday essentials made to move with the wearer. The El Monte company pairs a minimal-meets-luxury aesthetic with a strong community focus, having donated more than 10,000 items while hosting groundwater recycling wells on its property and repurposing all of its cardboard.
Cotton Canary LLCCotton Canary LLC makes boldly feminine workwear for women, designing comfortable, polished clothing that moves from the office into the rest of the day. Its garments are made in the USA in small batches, a production model the company says allows close attention to construction and limited-edition designs. Cotton Canary also directs 10% of its profits toward organizations supporting women and children, including anti-trafficking efforts and adoption assistance.
AwareAware is a woman-owned sustainable clothing brand created by friends, mothers, sisters, and other women to reduce fashion’s environmental impact while giving back to communities. Its work extends beyond apparel through a mental-health awareness mission centered on an Awareness Panda symbol created with Spanish artist Domingo Zapata, with a percentage of profits from licensed purchases supporting that effort. The company also redirected its sustainable textile resources during the 2020 pandemic to donate hypoallergenic, antibacterial masks to frontline healthcare workers.
Paola PondersInspired by her sister’s recovery from breast cancer, founder and product developer Paola Ponce created Paola Ponders as a community-centered brand making functional activewear for women. Its collections connect fitness with wellness and faith, including a pink piece in every collection as a tribute to women affected by breast cancer. The brand also guarantees sweatshop-free production and hosts wellness gatherings such as Pilates and pickleball events.
Bonitas InternationalBonitas International grew from pediatric nurse Lisa Harrington’s beaded hospital ID necklace into a fashion-accessories company that designs, sources, and distributes functional jewelry and other products for on-the-go customers. Founded by Harrington and Kimberly Martinez, the women-owned business says it created the functional jewelry category and surpassed $1 million in sales during its third year. Based in Newbury, Ohio, Bonitas has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list five times and emphasizes recycled materials, packaging reduction, and responsible supplier practices.NEWBURY, OH