10 Fashion and Beauty Brands to Support During Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Every October, the world commemorates Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to educate about the impact of breast cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in women. In the US alone, there are an estimated 43,250 women and 530 men who will lose their lives to the disease annually. The causes of these fatalities vary from the lack of cure to the lack of access to early screenings and proper healthcare treatments.
While some of the best ways to support this cause—volunteering, raising awareness, sharing resources, and donating to those in research and healthcare—don’t have an expiration date, during October you can also shop with a purpose. If you don’t know where to start, EnVi has curated a list of 10 brands that have partnered up with various foundations and funds that help breast cancer patients and survivors!
1. Estée Lauder
Looking back thirty years, people suffering from breast cancer were dying and receiving minimal treatment, in part, due to the limited knowledge people had of the disease. This inspired Evelyn H. Lauder to co-create the iconic Pink Ribbon many associate with breast cancer awareness and launch the Estée Lauder Companies’ Breast Cancer Campaign. This year, Estée Lauder released a new version of best-selling products with pink ribbon motifs. From September 2022 to June 2023, 20% of the purchase price of the brand’s Advanced Night Repair Serum and 100% of the purchase price of the Mini Lipstick Collection will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF).
2. Ralph Lauren
When talking about people who support breast cancer awareness, Ralph Lauren is one of the leading advocates. Since helping to co-found the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research to honor his friend, Washington Post’s fashion editor Nina Hyde, the American designer has been committed to the cause for decades. In 2000, Ralph Lauren Corporation launched the “Pink Pony” campaign to help in cancer care and research.
This year, Ralph Lauren pledged to donate $25 million to fund the growth of the five cancer health facilities named after the brand. With this goal, Ralph Lauren returns with the annual Pink Pony Collection that includes classic pieces such as sweaters, hoodies, button-downs, and, of course, polo shirts featuring a pink version of the brand’s logo. When you purchase the Oxford Shirt and Fleece Hoodie, 100% of the price will be donated to the Pink Pony Fund. For other select items, 25% of the price will be directed to the cause.
3. PrettyLittleThing
With most brands helping the breast cancer awareness cause through funding healthcare and research centers, PrettyLittleThing focuses more on offering options for those suffering from the illness directly in an accessible way. 14,850 of the 55,000 women diagnosed each year in the UK undergo mastectomies to reduce the risk of their breast cancer further developing. However, there aren’t as many options for this demographic when it comes to post-surgery lingerie and support wear. PrettyLittleThing thus collaborated with GIRLvsCANCER to create a post-surgical lingerie collection that’s sexy, comfortable, and empowering. 100% of the collection’s profit will also be donated to GIRLvsCANCER.
4. Jo Malone
A member of the Estée Lauder group, the British perfumery brand Jo Malone announced that they will also lend a hand to this year’s breast cancer awareness efforts. For the occasion, the brand is launching a newly designed limited edition version of one of its most iconic scents, Peony & Blush Suede. The charming fragrance that has a timeless blend of light floral and sensual suede is now available in a pink top bottle. With each purchase of this edition, Jo Malone will donate 50% of the selling price to fund the BCRF.
5. Savage X Fenty
Partnering the Clara Lionel Foundation, Rihanna’s Savage X Fenty is also joining in on giving back this month. The brand released a capsule collection in fierce shades of pink, featuring an assortment of lingerie, including bra sets and underwear, as well as comfort homewear like fluffy robes, fuzzy socks, and slippers. Savage X Fenty will donate to the Keep A Breast Give Back Grants programme to help support BIPOC women who have survived or struggle with breast cancer. Additionally, the brand has partnered up with illustrator Jasmin Sehra to create educational infographics to help raise awareness on digital platforms.
6. Sézane
French clothing brand Sézane shows its support for Breast Cancer awareness throughout the year. Adapting the theme of “On Wednesdays We Wear Pink,” the brand releases a new item for the cause every first Wednesday of the month. In October, Sézane released a deep raspberry high-collar blouse and 100% of the profits from each month’s items will be donated to the BCRF.
7. Bobbi Brown
Another member of the Estée Lauder family, American makeup brand Bobbi Brown is committed to raising awareness and funding research for breast cancer. With the tagline “Gloss for a Cause,” the brand has released a limited edition duo of hydrating, high-shine glosses to support the cause. 100% of the price of these crushed oil-infused glosses wrapped in ‘power-pink packaging’ will go to the BCRF until the amount donated reaches $110,000.
8. Timex
Known for a long list of big name collaborations, American watchmaker Timex partnered with BCRF for a capsule collection. The collection includes a curated lineup of classic designs, including the Legacy Boyfriend and Q Timex, decked out in rose gold straps and accents of different pink hues. Timex’s strong and sturdy base designs blended with the rosy tones of the collection are “vivid proof that you don’t have to sacrifice beauty for strength.” 25% of the sales made from the Timex x BCRF capsule collection will be donated to the foundation.
9. Jimmy Choo
If you’re looking for a more glamorous way to donate to the cause, why not browse through the Jimmy Choo collection? With bright hues of pink taking over fashion this year, the accessories brand released a limited-edition capsule collection with various options of handbags, heels, sneakers, and scarves, all painted in fun shades of pink. With every piece purchased, 20% of the price will be donated to the BCRF with the goal of achieving $100,000.
10. ghd
As a consistent advocate for breast cancer, ghd has created yearly campaigns for over 18 years in support of the cause. This year, the haircare brand released a limited edition line of best-selling hair tools in a stunning shade of pink. The brand chose a bright shade of pink, in line with the massive surge of Barbiecore aesthetics this year. With each purchase of an item from the “Take Control Now” collection, $20 will be donated to The Pink Agenda.
In addition to the campaigns and items mentioned in this article, you can purchase more products on the BCRF shop and track each of the companies’ donation goals here. You can also find a compelling list of resources regarding breast cancer here.
Interested in more resources? Check out EnVi’s Quick Guide to Breast Self-Exams here!
