Austin Way Magazine - GreenGale Publishing - There is a place beyond the crowds, beyond the ropes, where dreams are realized and success is celebrated. You are invited.
Issue link: http://digital.greengale.com/i/557531
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY OF ESPEROS (BACKPACK, LABEL); COURTESY OF SLUMLOVE (DARNELL) manufactured at an ethically run facility in Shenzhen, China, which offers employees three meals a day, free housing, and full benefits. The philanthropic element of the label also appeals to savvy shoppers. The name Esperos is a loose trans- lation of the Spanish verb "esperar," which means "to hope," so the idea is that consumers are buying more than a bag; they're carrying hope. In fact, #carryhope is the popular hashtag among members of Esperos's dedicated social media community. Shuttlesworth approaches the social enterprise side of his company with just as much ambition and thoughtfulness as the design of his backpacks. Esperos recently joined with The Nobelity Project, the Austin-based education and action nonprofit, on initiatives based in Honduras and Kenya. Esperos and Nobelity are building a mod- ern, two-classroom preschool in Alamach, Kenya; in Honduras, Esperos is helping Nobelity bring a second bookmobile to students in 14 remote fishing villages. Shuttlesworth explains: "More than peppering, we want to be able to maintain active relationships with communities." The best way to do that, he says, is with the right partners—it's a matter of finding people who have been on the ground and know the communities, like Turk and Christy Pipkin of Nobelity. "It has been pretty incredible to see this year go as quickly as it has," Shuttlesworth says of his company's third year. "We'll keep bringing out new silhouettes in the bag category. As far as totally different products, yes, I do think we'll do that, but not for a while. The mission and message of 'carrying hope' can be applied to a lot of things." 2124 E. Sixth St., Ste. 101, 888-791-6610; esperosbags.com AW CHARITY REGISTER Opportunities to give. THE BIG GIVE Support local nonprofi ts at this celebration sponsored by Mercedes-Benz of Austin, where the RetailMeNot Nonprofi t Award will be bestowed. The silent auction offers wonderful packages that will help I Live Here, I Give Here to continue funding its many high-level programs. Tickets start at $120. When: August 28, 7 PM Where: Hyatt Regency Austin, 208 Barton Springs Road, 512-477-1234 Contact: Catherine Lucchesi, 512-717-4194; catherine@ilivehereigivehere.org HILL COUNTRY NIGHTS The Hill Country Conservancy's ninth annual event will include music from La Tampiquena, silent and live auctions, and a photo booth. Guests are invited to wear "Hill Country" cocktail attire and will be treated to a Salt Lick barbecue feast. Proceeds will go toward HCC's mission to protect open space and water quality in Texas. Tickets start at $250. When: September 18, 6 PM Where: Fair Market, 1100 E. Fifth St., 512-582-0844 Contact: Nico D'Auterive, 512-328-2481; nico@hillcountryconservancy.com AUSTIN SIGNATURE CHEFS AUCTION Join the March of Dimes as it spotlights our city's culinary masters during an elegant evening of wining and dining. Amid a lively atmosphere of cocktails, entertainment, and alluring auction items, local chefs will feature their appetiz- ing creations, all to benefi t the March of Dimes's mission. Tables start at $3,500. When: September 24, 6:30 PM Where: JW Marriott, 110 E. Second St., 512-474-4777 Contact: Kaitlyn Kash, 512-568-3444; kkash@marchofdimes.com IMAGINARIUM The Thinkery's 2015 fundraiser will include dinner, a performance from Bob Schneider, and opportunities to spon- sor educational programs that benefi t the underprivileged children of Austin. Tickets start at $3,000 for a table of 10. When: September 25, 6 PM Where: JW Marriott, 110 E. Second St., 512-474-4777 Contact: Adrienne Longenecker, 512-983-5979; alongenecker@thinkeryaustin.org One Love ONE AUSTIN DESIGNER'S UNISEX SWEATERS HELP AFRICAN WOMEN AND CHILDREN LIVING IN POVERTY. BY SOFIA SOKOLOVE Although she grew up in Texas, Slumlove Sweater Company founder Ava Darnell, 26, spent time in Africa doing humanitarian work with her family. Then just two weeks before she was headed to graduate design school at UT, she changed her mind. "I decided: Nope, I'm supposed to be in Africa," she recalls. While working as the creative director for a nonprofit in Kibera, Kenya, one of the world's largest slum areas, Darnell got the idea to start Slumlove in 2013 by paying local women fair wages to knit unisex sweaters she'd designed. Darnell, who now lives in Austin but travels frequently to Kenya, works with her parents' Nairobi-based nonprofit, the New Hope Initiative, to donate a portion of the profits of each sweater to raise money for scholarships for children living in Kibera. A firm believer in transparency in business, Darnell says of her vision, "I feel like it's all the things that it could be—made by artisans, giving back, and low markup." She admits, it's not always easy, but reminding herself why she's doing it helps. "This is what I believe in, and this is how I feel called to do it, and I'm not going to compromise on that just because I'm having a rough day or I feel like I should be making more money," Darnell says. "So far, it's going well." slumlove.com The name Esperos is a loose tran s lation of the Spanish verb "esperar," which means "to hope," so the idea is that consumers are buying more than a bag; they're carrying hope. Ava Darnell and friend in Slumlove sweaters. STYLE Style of Generosity 42 AUSTINWAY.COM