Urban Outfitters, Forever 21, The Gap, Zara, Abercrombie and Fitch, Nike, the Kardashians, and H&M. That’s just a short list of major clothing retailers who’ve been called out for their awful humanitarian policies. It’s difficult to feel good about a clothing purchase when you can’t be sure that your gorgeous new dress wasn’t produced in a brutal sweatshop. Luckily for us, there’s a young designer who’s looking to change that and more.

Abi Ferrin is now based in Dallas, Texas, but she grew up in my hometown of Jackson Hole, Wyoming. (Yes, that’s the little ski town where Justin Timberlake proposed to Jessica Biel.) Abi, who was named Texas’ Next Top Designer in 2007, is making waves with her bold, colorful designs. But what makes her vision really unique is her business model. All Abi Ferrin garments are assembled in the USA, and each one includes a piece that was handmade by women involved with the Freedom Project. The Freedom Project is an initiative that Abi created to empower women in the US and beyond. She works with an organization that rescues women from human trafficking in Nepal and Cambodia and gives them the opportunity to work in a safe, fair trade setting. I had the chance to interview Abi and learn more about her inspiring process.

Here is a link to the full interview!