The fall/winter season is fast approaching, and if you’re a bit of a fashion addict like I am, you’ve already begun stocking your wardrobe in preparation.  If you’re also like me, you might have an unfortunate tendency to splurge a little too often when it comes to clothes.  Thankfully, one of the latest trends in fashion (which, fingers crossed, becomes the norm rather than the trend!) is for brands to adopt a socially responsible or ethical platform when it comes to their business, allowing smart buyers to feel a little better about the occasional shopping spree, when purchases support brands that give back to the world in some way and reduce the detrimental impact the fashion industry often has on the world.  One of these brands doing great work in the ethical fashion community (and has an elegant line of clothes perfect for fall and winter weekends) is Le Dessein, a women’s fashion line based in LA.

Le Dessein’s sophisticated dresses and sweaters are perfect for the season’s weekend wear.  Their classic black dresses and cozy sweaters are created with high-quality material giving you an elegant look when wearing upscale fashion.  And the best part?  Le Dessein donates 25% of their profits to help pay for the annual school tuition costs of underprivileged girls around the world.  So far they‘ve provided tuition for girls in Liberia, and are planning to expand their outreach to support girls in Haiti this year.  As a way to honor these spirited and inspiring young women, Le Dessein embroiders artwork created by the girls onto each piece of clothing.  One of Le Dessein’s main goals is to empower these girls to lead more fruitful and fulfilling lives, giving them the power to make their own decisions about their future – and this can be accomplished by giving them an education.  Not only are there a myriad of benefits to educating girls , but engaging them in a creative activity that’s part of a global market also serves as a powerful boost to their self-esteem.

Le Dessein’s black dresses are perfect for soirees and classy nights out on the town.  (Plus, the inclusion of the girls’ artwork on the clothing is sure to be a great conversation starter!)  Here are a few of my favorite picks: 

The Black Long Open Back Zipper Dress is great for women who are looking for an evening dress with a little more edge.  The front is simple and elegant, but the back (or lack thereof) is what makes the dress stand out.  Completely backless, it also boasts a striking zipper detail running down the length of the dress, adding character to the piece.  The embroidered artwork can be found on the bottom left of the dress.

Another one of my favorite styles for an elegant evening is the Long Halter Dress with Open Back.  Similar to the Zipper Dress, it features a simple yet stunning front with a gorgeous backless silhouette, adding in a lovely tie waist.  Along with your striking personality, you’ll certainly stand out from the crowd in this piece.   

No fall or winter wardrobe would be complete without a few comfortable and cozy sweaters.  Le Dessein’s L’hiver (French for ‘winter’) sweater comes in both grey  and black , and both can be dressed up or down for all of the running around you may have to do over the weekend.  The sweater has an asymmetrical cut that covers up to the neck when closed, which is also handy for keeping out the chill.

From one caring fashionista to another, I guarantee that these pieces will find a place as a staple in your wardrobe for the upcoming season and beyond.  I love their elegant style and that they support an even better cause.  The sophisticated styles are great for accessorizing (and, luckily for us, Le Dessein has recently launched a jewelry line as well for a classic look that can be re-worn year after year.  Of course, with a good portion of my purchase going to support girls’ education, I might just have to force myself to splurge on Le Dessein every season.

One of Le Dessein’s main goals is to empower these girls... and this can be accomplished by getting an education.