Collection: Fair Anita
Public Benefit Corporation | Fair Trade Federation Member | Investing in Women Since 2015
Fair Anita was founded in 2015 by Joy McBrien at just 24 years old, born from a deeply personal mission to combat sexual violence through economic empowerment. After living with Señora Anita—an inspirational social worker in Chimbote, Peru (one of the world's largest poorest cities)—Joy witnessed firsthand how economic opportunity transforms communities and gives women agency over their lives. Named in honor of this beloved community champion known for her fairness and empathy, Fair Anita emerged from a crucial realization: 98% of domestic violence victims experience financial abuse, and many women worldwide are forced to choose between basic necessities and their own safety.
A lifelong entrepreneur with a business degree and design minor, Joy identified a critical gap in the fashion industry—ethical, mission-driven accessories that were actually affordable and trendy for everyday consumers. As a Minnesota-based Public Benefit Corporation with their mission legally written into incorporation documents, Fair Anita partners with approximately 8,000 talented female artisans across 9 countries, co-designing jewelry, scarves, bags, and clothing made primarily from recycled and upcycled materials. From melted-down bullet casings collected off Ethiopian streets after the Ethiopian-Eritrean war to H&M fabric scraps transformed into beautiful bags in Cambodia, to recycled brass and copper jewelry from Chile—every piece tells a story of renewed life.
Artisan partners typically earn 2-4x minimum wage, with groups like the Peru workshop led by Maritza and Anita—a "little workshop with a big heart" employing women with disabilities—receiving health insurance and education stipends for their children, enabling them to afford life-saving medications and build futures. Fair Anita has returned over $1 million in regenerative income to artisan partners while working as an anti-racist organization committed to addressing colonialism and the white savior complex in fair trade. With consent-based storytelling at their core, Fair Anita proves that cute, ethical, and affordable can coexist—creating a world where women feel safe, valued, and respected, no matter their geography.
