Election Day is months away but two cult-favorite brands are eager to get a head start on making political statements. Bag company MZ Wallace and custom sweater brand Linga Franca are launching its ‘Give a Damn’ collection to support League of Women Voters.
MZ Wallace is the viral bag and accessories label founded in 2000 by Monica Zwirner and Lucy Wallace Eustice, two native New Yorkers whose collective background in fashion, art, and design inform their vision for highly coveted and equally utilitarian tote bags and crossbody purses.
Jodie Patterson, author of ‘The Bold World: A Memoir of Family and Transformation’ sporting the MZW … [+]
As a former fashion stylist working with luxury clients—including Gucci, Lancôme, and BMW—Zwirner transitioned to interior design before co-creating MZ Wallace with Eustice, a former accessories editor and director who has also worked in product development for high-end footwear brands like Manolo Blahnik.
From the beginning, the duo’s goal was to use high-quality design and timeless style to create essential accessories for everyday, modern life. MZ Wallace gained more popularity over the last few years, after it become known as the ultimate bag that conveys quiet luxury as well as functional style. Its lightweight materials and intuitively placed pockets also make it a crowd-favorite in an ultra-competitive market.
The brand is always working on new ways to innovate, including ways to reduce waste and their carbon footprint in how they design and create products. As of 2022, 100% of the brand’s signature nylon fabrics in solid Oxford and Bedford are bluesign approved, and all signature fabrics are made of recycled fibers that are certified Global Recycling Standard (GRS).
In addition to sustainability, giving back is also core to the brand, having previously launched campaigns to support organizations like Girls Who Code, The Conservation Fund and #TakeCareofHarlem. For ‘Give a Damn,’ MZ Wallace is donating 100% of the proceeds from the MZW x Lingua Franca collab to League of Women Voters.
With Zwirner immersed in the art world and gallery openings, it was only a matter of time before she met Rachelle Hruska MacPherson, founder and CEO of GuestofaGuest.com, a media company that covers society events.
Multi-functional and lightweight bags by MZ Wallace.
MacPherson went on to become the founder of Lingua Franca, a hand-embroidered cashmere sweater and accessories brand beloved by celebrities like Jlo and Meryl Streep. The company started in 2016 and continued to gain viral steam after releasing sweaters that reflected the times. There was the “I miss Barack,” sweater when Trump was elected; as well as the “I believe her” embroidery during the Kavanaugh hearings.
Zwirner, Eustice, and MacPherson knew 2024 would be a great year to team up again. “As long-time friends and collaborators, we recognized the potential for a meaningful partnership through our MZW Gives Back program and Lingua Franca’s social cause initiatives,” says Zwirner. “Together, we knew our brands could create something truly impactful.”
When it came to creating a campaign that would cause buzz, “Give a damn” came to MacPherson’s mind. “It was one of the first phrases I stitched, and it resonated immediately. It means different things to different people, encouraging reflection on what truly matters to you. By wearing it, you’re making a statement that you care about the world and are committed to positive change.” The campaign statement is meant to foster a culture of responsibility and compassion.
Dee Poku, founder and CEO of The WIE Suite, a membership club for women in leadership, sporting the … [+]
The collaboration will highlight the MZ Wallace Medium Metro Tote, the brand’s best-selling style. Zwirner, her cofounder Eustice as well as MacPherson all worked on selecting the color scheme and final look.
This will be the fourth time MZ Wallace has teamed up with Lingua Franca, but the first time that 100% of proceeds will support the League of Women Voters, a non-partisan organization dedicated to protecting voting rights. “This was a cause we found especially crucial this year. Founded just six months before the 19th Amendment was ratified, the League has spent over a century promoting civic participation—a mission we champion every day,” says Zwirner.
Although Linga Franca and MZ Wallace could easily flex its celebrity following for its latest campaign, Eustice says the ‘Give a Damn’ project will feature meaningful female figures, including entrepreneurs, activists, and leaders who Give A Damn about making a difference. Ads feature bestselling author Jodie Patterson; The WIE Suite founder Dee Poku; art scholar Isolde Brielmaier; and activist Claire Stapleton. “These women are inspiring in their everyday lives, and we are honored to have their participation.”
Adds Zwirner, “Lingua Franca is a valued partner of ours, and we are excited to continue collaborating with them in the future. We love working with fellow female founded brands who are mission and cause driven like us.”
This post was originally published on this site be sure to check out more of their content.
