Press & News
Store Owner Says Her Business About Lifestyle
Charleston Daily Mail
by Monica Orosz
Jennifer Miller’s Hale Street store stocks fashionable clothing from small designers who use eco-friendly materials and promise to pay fair wages to their workers.
Yet as Jennifer Miller ponders her next step with her business, which includes plans to expand this year, she says her real goal isn’t to be a retailer, but to be an animal advocate. In preparation of expanding, Miller is offering a 50 percent off sale on all clothing through Feb. 27.
“The clothing part of it is such a small part of my day,” she said, although she has become a passionate advocate of fair labor practices, particularly in countries that permit child labor.
Rather, Jennifer opened the business as a way to raise money for animal welfare and conservation groups. A portion of her profits goes to organizations that support her causes: rescuing animals used for entertainment, animal neglect, animals used for invasive research, protecting wildlife in its natural habitat and rescuing animals from inhumane farming practices.
my new favorite SHOP OWNER: JENNIFER MILLER
feature on forloublog.com
by Laura & Lindsey
Jennifer Miller is the owner of Mission Savvy, a wonderful eco-boutique in Charleston, West Virginia. Although I haven’t had the pleasure of visiting the store yet, the store’s mission has definitely won me over. Jennifer chooses only ethical, animal-friendly, and environmentally conscious clothing for her store, and 5% of profits are donated to a select group of animal welfare and conservation groups who work on the front lines of tough issues. I’m not really sure what more I could ask for in a store, really.
Here are some of the causes Mission Savvy is supporting right now:
Rescue of Circus animals
Emergency relief for animals in crisis
Research without Animals
Global Wildlife Conservation
Sanctuary for Farm animals
.
The clothes are pretty darn cute, too. She’s a kindred soul, I think. :–)
Mission Savvy feature video created by EcoChick.com
Check out my new feature video created by the lovely Starre Vartan, writer, explorer, revolutionary, inspiration over at EcoChick.com!
3 Fresh Online Boutiques That Only Stock Eco Fashion
People love to complain to me about eco-fashion when I tell them that I am a proponent of clothes that leave a lighter footprint and aren’t dependent on slave wages. Their top complaint is always that eco-fashion is too expensive. (Next, and I think this is valid for fashion as a whole, is that there are not enough plus-sized choices). Honestly, I don’t get it — not anymore. Unless you are shopping exclusively at Wal-Mart (which actually has eco-friendly options, if you look) or Forever 21 (which rips off designers small and large, flagrantly engages child labor, and makes clothes that fall apart), I’d say I’m confused.
Much of the eco-friendly clothing I’ve found – and buy – costs the same as clothes from the Gap or maybe Anthropologie. Both of which are huge, mega popular stores, and I don’t hear people complaining much about their prices. Responsible, ethical clothing can be had at very reasonable prices.
That being said, good clothing shouldn’t be crazy cheap. If you’re not paying a fair price, that means that corners are being cut along the way – people aren’t being paid fairly, or the fabric is made from polluting junk. Below, you will find three eco-boutiques that stock reasonably priced, super-cute clothes that are made with ethics in mind. Not only will you be supporting stores that give back, but also small businesses, all owned and run by women. (Not to mention that their sale pages have great bargains!)
Mission Savvy sells classic and current clothing and accessories for women at very reasonable prices – but they are also on a mission. Jennifer Miller, the founder and president of the company, founded the store (the brick and mortar is located in Charleston, WV) with the idea that fundraising for animal protection could be easier if she had a business from which to educate and inform.
Each year, five new “missions” are established (wildlife conservation, emergency relief for animals in crisis, and circus animal rescue are just some of them). When customers – whether online or in the store – make a purchase, they decide to which mission their donation (5% of sale) will go.
So along with bringing the style and sustainability of eco-fashion to her community in West Virginia (and to customers online), Jennifer also “…imaged a what if scenario where animal protection became part of mainstream lifestyles and everyday thinking. She explored the consesquence of bringing these rather dark issues into the world; creatively, passively, kindly.” and that imagining became Mission Savvy.
Mission Savvy Ends Animal Cruelty One “No-Impact” Garment At A Time
by YEP Media
Jennifer Miller can only get through her day if she is inspired by something other than her own agenda. She’s encouraged by “people who have stepped outside of their comfort zones” and by folks who find love in the simpler aspects of life. She knows that there is power in nature—that some serious changes need to be made regarding our relationship to it and the animals that share this world with us. And Jennifer definitely knows great clothes.
Sharing some of the very real, but “rather dark” issues of the world, in a creative and kind way, is what catalyzed the opening of Mission Savvy, Jennifer’s Charleston, WV-based boutique. She accepts that the truths of animal cruelty can be draining for most people, leaving them saddened by the graphic images and stories of suffering, so she created another way for people to get involved and make a difference. Mission Savvy is dedicated to donating five percent of all sales to five animal rescue and wildlife conservation efforts, categorized into the themes Dream, Compassion, Freedom, Instinct, and Voice. You can read about each need and choose what cause you would like to support with each purchase you make.
Jennifer believes that “being sustainable is growing with what the community offers you,” and so far so great. She plans to “keep the momentum going,” and in the next year, you will see Mission Savvy increase its impact efforts. Jennifer ultimately wants people to feel empowered to get out there and help, and to feel confident that what they are doing is helping. “There’s nothing less motivating than to feel like your voice is so insignificant that you might as well not do anything at all,” she expresses. “And there’s nothing less productive than campaigning without compassion for the opposing view. Screaming and name calling gets you no where. In the long term, I’d like Mission Savvy to be a reliable source for information and a path towards change.”
Photo Credit: Heartland Farm Sanctuary
The fan base for Mission Savvy grows more and more each day. The only complaint that she hears is that the clothes are expensive. And her response is, “I know…that’s just the true cost of not exploiting the environment or people. There are ways to cut back on daily spending to accommodate for products (including organic foods and LED light bulbs) that are safer for this world.” Similar to the type of food you buy, every purchase is your vote for the kind of world you want. Prices won’t come down and industries won’t change unless the market—the people—demand it, right?
The clothing from Mission Savvy brings out “a self expression” in Jennifer’s customers, allowing them to be playful with their confidence and image. She loves sharing well-designed alternatives to animal products (wool, leather, silk) by designers like Indigenous Designs, Popomomo, EcoSkin, and Feral Childe.
High Fashion, Low Impact
When Jennifer Miller needed a name for her eco-friendly clothing boutique, she started by writing down words that resonated with her goals. “I wanted something with action,” she says, “like, ‘We’re going to change this, and we’re going to do it with power and strength.’” And so, Mission Savvy was born.
The “mission” of Mission Savvy is two-fold. Jennifer’s boutique on Hale Street in downtown Charleston only sells clothing made of natural, sustainable fibers and produced by socially and ecologically responsible means. She also donates five percent of her profits to animal rescue and conservation projects.
Missions aside, the clothing is fabulous. The store carries designer, high-end fashion pieces made from surprising materials: hemp, soy, bamboo, eucalyptus, and even oak. Some of them can’t be grown in the United States—hemp is illegal to cultivate and others can’t be grown sustainably in U.S. climates—but all of the clothing is designed and produced in America.
AirTran Magazine Recommends Mission Savvy
by AirTranMagazine
Paper bead necklaces at Mission Savvy
Mission Savvy has been listed as a Charleston, WV destination of choice!
The fashions are both chic and sustainable at this boutique featuring organic clothing manufactured with minimal impacts to the Earth, humans or animals. Owner and animal rights activist Jennifer Miller donates 5% of profits to animal welfare and conservation projects.
Top 15 Eco Fashion Boutiques
by EcoSalon
Eco-boutiques are popping up all over the web thanks to visionary retailers willing to take risks. While the debate over green consumption asks tough questions (is marketing lots of green stuff the answer to our consumerism woes?), it is clear that when it comes to eco fashion, the mantra is quality over quantity.
While some sites carry tried and true lines we’ve been following for years, others are peddling cutting edge sustainable fashion – making conscious consumption more provocative than ever.
Here’s an updated list of what we consider the top online eco boutiques going.
Start your shopping engines…
In early 2008, Mission Savvy founder Jennifer Miller picked up her journal and began writing, documenting careless acts of
animal neglect. From this introspection, Miller realized a way she could fuse both her love of clothing and animals was to open a vegan boutique (online and brick and mortar in Charleston, West Virginia). Not so strange a jump seeing as each collection of clothing is based on themed animal rights or “Missions.” Her clothing, footwear and accessories highlight not only a raised consciousness in fashion but of our furry friends.
Eco Fashion With A Heart: Mission Savvy
by Chic Vegan
Most of us frequently struggle to find fashion that is ethically well-rounded. It can be quite hard to find clothing and shoes that are vegan, ethical and good for the environment all at once. How relieved would you be to find a shop that carries only 100% vegan, ethical, and sustainable fashion with a noble mission? Guess what? It exists.
Say hello to Mission Savvy, my new favorite online boutique. I can feel safe shopping here because I know that Jennifer Miller (the lady behind Mission Savvy) has thoughtfully handpicked every single item in her shop to stand up to her strict ethics.
Each garment in the shop has a Mission for animal welfare from the rescue of circus animals to ending animal testing. 5% of the sales from each item goes to it’s corresponding mission. Hows that for responsible shopping?
Wearing Fur To Save Animals: Interview with Jennifer Miller
EcoSalon.com
by Amy Dufault
Jennifer Miller, founder of Mission Savvy, an eco-boutique that pairs eco fashion with pressing issues in animal welfare has her own feelings on recycling fur: “I’m just sort of over it. That’s all.”
A longtime animal rights activist, Miller asks why we even need to be wearing fur in the first place.
“If you live in a heated house, have the privilege of being able to cook yourself a warm meal and snuggle up in a warm bed at night, there’s no real survival purpose to owning a fur coat. Communities outside of true indigenous lifestyles really have no purpose wearing fur. And therefore if you are inclined to wear it, choose your Nordic destination, endure a season of coastal fishing, sheep herding, knitting, hunting and territorial defense and really immerse yourself in the culture of having no choice but to wear fur. Otherwise please spare me the headache of preaching about how the jacket keeps you warm in the winter, all 1.5 hours of the day that you are actually outside,” says Miller.
But from an animal welfare perspective, Miller thinks if there must be a fur industry, it should most certainly revolve around recycled fur with not a single animal being skinned alive again.
“Fur can be put to better use than fashion,” she says, “There are hundreds of thousands of homeless people that would appreciate a fur coat donation. Humane Society of the United States has a great program called ‘Coats for Cubs’ where you can donate your fur coat and it’s used to comfort animals in rehab. And what about using them as a down alternative as well? Fur stuffed blankets is another great idea for families with children that can’t afford to turn on the heat in the winter.”
Nashville Fashion Week: Mission Savvy
Examiner
by Renee Dotson
This week’s feature article will be on the Eco fashion forerunner, animal advocate and international fashion powerhouse Mission Savvy.
Mission Savvy showcased their eco-fashion line at Fashion Week Nashville, on Friday November 6th at Nashville’s very own Convention Center. This eco fashion movement is fascinating Nashville fashion enthusiast, with a refreshing style and is a must know for the locals.
Mission Savvy is a pioneer seeking to change not only the fashion world, but the entire world. This line recognizes the desire within everyone to save the environment, but is often overshadowed by life’s opulence and minimalism.
This eco fashion line resolves this dilemma by providing not only fashions that are eco-friendly, but elegant. Any consumer of this line is also an activist, because 5% of all profits generated go toward animal rescue and wild life conversation projects worldwide.
“Eco fashion is a method of composing fashion collections without having an impact on the environment, human health or animals. Designers, boutiques, production houses and everyone involved recognize the effects of conventional ways of producing clothes. From farming to consumer, there are environmentally conscious ways of sourcing fabrics and designing quality garments without leaking toxins into vital water sources or using child labor.” Official Press Release
For more information about Mission Savvy please see visit www.missionsavvy.
Shop Like You Give A Damn
StellaShops.comThis month, our vegan Fashionista, Marcia Masulla, interviewed the owner of Mission Savvy, Jennifer Miller. Mission Savvy is an eco fashion boutique and animal rights project. I recently got to see a Mission Savvy fashion show with Marcia and can attest to the fact that the clothes are as beautiful as the mission.
Last week, I was introduced to the beautiful (both inside & out) Jennifer Miller who was in town to showcase her collection for a fashion show. I was instantly smitten with her genuine passion and kind spirit. Jennifer is an inspiration to all and a true warrior for the Animal Rights movement. Check out this motivational video footage that was a part of her fashion show.
Pretty moving right? If that didn’t make you reconsider some of your fashion choices, maybe the interview below will.
Vegan Fashion Show in San Francisco
San Francisco Chronicleby Lorraine Sanders
Those with good reason to appreciate the recent Vegan Fashion Show the most weren’t there. But then, the animal population is not known for its love of crowded, human-centric happenings.Despite their absence, animals were, in many ways, the guests of honor at the event, which took place the afternoon of Oct. 2 as part of the San Francisco Vegetarian Society’s 11th Annual World Vegetarian Festival and featured apparel and accessories free of leather, fur, wool, suede, silk or other animal-derived fabrics and materials.
“We should not be using animals for entertainment, period. … Anyone caught wearing fur should be fined,” said fashion show contributor Jennifer Miller, owner of online boutique Mission Savvy, in a video played at the outset of the show.
Conitue reading article…
New Retail Store Showcases Eco-friendly Fashion
The Charleston Gazette
The Top 20 Eco-Fashion Sites
EcoSalon.com
by Amy Dufault
Jennifer Miller, founder of Mission Savvy has five “Missions” that represent her online store: Dream, Compassion, Freedom, Instinct and Voice. Each of these collections represent an animal protection issue. She doesn’t bang you over the head with it, instead she creatively offers you clothing from designers that best exemplify her theme.
Five percent of profits generated by sales from the site are donated to a select group of animal welfare and conservation groups who work on the front lines of tough issues.
Although she’s based in Charleston, West Virginia, Miller oftentimes takes her show on the road to a city near you.
Animal Expert Uses Fashion To Generate Change
Jennifer Miller poses with Malcolm, one of two rescued parrots she cares for, while modeling an outfit made of hemp and organic cotton.
Jennifer Miller is an animal behaviorist who has, among other things, studied orangutans in the wild and in captivity.
Well, there’s a lot of money in the fashion industry, the 30-year-old Charleston native explained. She created Mission Savvy to use the power of fashion to educate the public about protecting both the environment and animals.
“I have done the research. There is a growing demand for ecologically safe fashion,” Miller said.
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