8 socially conscious brands we're into right now

Socially conscious product manufacturers are, in some ways, in vogue, and yet they're still certainly not the norm. Some companies have made considerable progress, making it part of their mandate to produce with as little negative impact to places and especially people as possible, though collectively we've still got a ways to go. Judging by this roundup of some of the latest productsto market that claim to make positive strides, socially conscious products are in demand from glasses to shoes and water bottles. In the spirit of doing good, feeling good and looking good, here's a roundup of some of our favourite socially-conscious makers and items right now.

Warby Parker

With Warby Parker, seeing is believing. After the company's founders discovered that 1 billion people around the world are without glasses, it promised to distribute a pair to someone in need for every pair purchased.

Warby Parker glasses, from $150, warbyparker.com

Mary Young

Pick up a piece of locally-designed and manufactured lingerie from Mary Young, and she'll donate $5 to RAW Beauty Talks, an organization devoted to encouraging body positive mental and physical health for women across Canada.

Mary Young set, $55-$78, Holt Renfrew stores

TOMS

The lifestyle brand that started a movement with its slip-on shoes, TOMS subscribes to a one-for-one model. For every bag purchased, the company helps provide a safe birth to a mother in need. To date, the program has provided over 70,000 mothers with safe birthing services.

TOMS backpack, $65, toms.ca

Brita

Purchase a Brita Me to We bottle, and the company will provide clean drinking water to one person in Kenya for a full year. Each bottle comes complete with a unique code that you can use online to track the positive impact your purchase is making.

Me to We Brita bottle, $20, Walmart

Brother Vellies

When Toronto-born designer Aurora James launched her shoe company, she set up a workshop in Africa to produce them and offer its artisans sustainable jobs. Today, James' artisans in Kenya, Morocco and South Africa have helped expand her offering, which has a fan base that includes Kanye West.

Brother Vellies slides, $400, nordstrom.com

LemLem

After a trip to Ethiopia, Canadian model Liya Kebede founded her African-inspired brand with women in mind. Since the beginning, she donated 5% of all profits to The Liya Kebede Foundation, which is dedicated to providing life-saving maternity to women in Africa.

LemLem striped dress, $325, net-a-porter.com

Cuddle+Kind

Each Cuddle+Kind stuffed animal is made by one of 100 female artisans in Peru who receives fair trade incomes. Plus, for every doll sold ten meals are given to a child in need.

Cuddle+Kind bunny, $65, Holt Renfrew stores

Apple

Apple's iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are new entrants to the company's (PRODUCT)RED partnership, which contributes to the Globe Fund's fight against AIDS. To date, the 10-year partnership has raised over $130 million, and thanks to the latest releases, even more support is on its way.

Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus, starting at $1,029, apple.com/ca