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Why are we here? (The Dare Mission)

September 07, 2016

Why are we here? (The Dare Mission)

Dare Mission GirlWhy are we here? 

Just like with people, this inevitable, existential question also comes up for sentient companies. Here at Dare Fashion, our attempt to answer it resulted in a three-part mission statement, which guides everything that we do.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

1. Create figure-flattering fashion for women of ALL shapes and sizes.

During our very first photoshoot, we noticed that when the model put on Dare to Wear, she changed immediately: her face lit up, she stood a little taller, threw her shoulders back, tossed her hair, and struck a flirty pose. 

The Dare to Wear top made her radiate confidence and positivity, because it was designed to accentuate the best aspects of her figure, while minimizing parts she wanted to de-emphasize. 

All Dare Fashion pieces are designed by Natalia to be "Confident Curvy Couture." And, they are all originally designed on a size 2x pattern. We've always known that the best way to make a full range of sizes (in our case, size S to 5x) is to design for plus-size, and then adjust the smaller sizes -- NOT the other way around.

 

 

 

 

2. Keep manufacturing in USA, paying workers a fair wage in San Francisco. 

All Dare Fashion is made in USAWe are uniquely positioned to manufacture in China. Ben, our co-owner, speaks Chinese, and his sister-in-law's best friend oversees sewing factories near Shanghai for foreign companies. But we made a conscious choice early in the history of our company to keep production here. Sure, manufacturing in San Francisco is expensive: the cost of living is sky-high, rents are astronomical, and the minimum wage is the highest in the US. 

But we support the social justice of paying workers a fair wage. Our company doesn't just create jobs for our employees, it also generates work for our fabric and trim suppliers, patternmakers, cutting house, sewing shop, printing service, box suppliers, and various shippers who deliver our goods. We feel strongly that all of these people should have a better life because Dare Fashion exists

Keeping our operation local also allows us to have tighter quality control, resulting in better, made-in-USA workmanship, with a lower impact on our environment.


 

 

3. Develop sustainable apparel solutions to keep our planet healthy.

Kermit says: Being Green since before it was coolWe set up our Dare to Care program to help manifest our Green initiatives because, let's face it, our planet needs all the help it can get!

  • All of our garments are made locally, right here in San Francisco, and our office is centrally located, easily accessible by bicycle and public transportation.
  • Whenever possible, we ship our products in reused boxes and we print all our shipping labels and internal documents on reused paper.
  • Through SF's Zero Waste 2020 initiative, we have been working with SF Recology to develop a solution to divert tons of cut fabric waste from landfills.
  • To reduce returns and exchanges, we are working on a technological solution so customers can see whether a garment will fit before they buy.
  • Through our Dare to Repair program, we replace ribbons and straps for free, and do small sewing repairs for a nominal fee.
  • We are developing our Dare to Care line, made from sustainable, recyclable fabrics.
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    Why are we here?  To help our customers, to help our workers, and to help our planet!

     

    What do you think about the Dare Mission? And, why are YOU here?

     




    Leave a comment


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    Size Guide

    Relax. Don't worry. If you don’t like the way it fits, you can return it… no questions asked.  It’s important to us that you LOVE the way Dare Fashion makes you feel about yourself!

    Among the images for each product listing is a style-specific size chart. For our tops and dresses, you can get your Dare size with ONLY ONE measurement of your bust!

    Please use the size charts as a guideline. Our fashion is made to these specifications, but due to variations in the stretchiness of the fabric and how it is sewn, there may be some slight deviations from this chart. But please rest assured, all of our styles are designed to fit a range of body types, with features such as stretch fabrics, corset lace-ups,  and spaghetti ties in the back to customize the fit.

    And did we mention... if it doesn’t fit, you can return it, no questions asked! So buy with confidence. And if you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact us - we're here to help!