KATHERINE HEIGL LOVES THIS SOCK BRAND THAT HELPS FEMALE ARTISANS AND CHILDREN IN ORPHANAGES
By: Erica Commisso
Socks have quietly evolved into a fashion statement, yet they remain one of the most overlooked elements of personal style. Once seen as purely functional, they now appear in bold colors, playful patterns and elevated materials that add personality and intention to an outfit. Despite their growing presence on runways and in street style, socks are often an afterthought—chosen last, if at all—rather than embraced as a deliberate accessory. When styled thoughtfully, they have the power to complete a look, bridging comfort and creativity in a way few other fashion items can.
Vanessa Tse founded Fazl Socks because of her connection to India. She met her now husband while on a volunteer trip there to serve the children in orphanages, and the life-changing experience inspired her to create a socks brand that can help her make a difference.
Source: Fazl Socks
The socks’ impact is twofold: they help the Himalayan women who make them, and the proceeds help the children in orphanages in India. “We have a deep respect for Himalayan women––their grit, their compassion, their commitment to preserving their traditions,” Tse says. “There's so much about them we admire. Through Fazl we wanted to support the orphanages and the women in need making all the products.”
Plus the effects are immediate. Tse says that the proceeds have helped orphanages with food, shelter, education, and clothing, which includes a new pair of socks every year. But she says that Fazl has also supported graduates in receiving post-secondary education, which Tse says is one of the keys to breaking the cycles of poverty. And it also creates a sense of community.
“I love seeing the family the Fazl ladies have built; truly, the community they've created is more than I imagined,” Tse says. “I love how the widows support each other and watching them knit and drink chai and grow in feeling strong in themselves and their abilities. I'm so happy that they love coming to work every day.”
To knit the socks, the community of Himalayan women use a synthetic vegan wool, which produces the same kind of warmth that traditional wool has without the itchiness. It also makes the socks long-lasting, so that customers have a pair for an average of two years.
Source: Fazl Socks
Through the company’s success, Tse has also been able to launch the Fazl Foundation to further the impact of each pair of socks. “We are currently working with the poorest of the poor in our communities to provide basic education to children who come from migrant and nomadic families and are unable to go to school,” she says. “Many of these children live in slums and we provide them with a safe place, medical assessment from a nurse, a fresh hot lunch, teaching, and most importantly, lots and lots of love.”
Fazl Socks’ efforts have also attracted some very famous fans, including actress and philanthropist Katherine Heigl. It’s a dream Tse says she’s still basking in. “We woke up one day to sales going through the roof and found out Katherine Heigl had previously purchased Fazl Socks and spoke about them as an easy holiday gift on The Drew Barrymore Show,” she says. “Since then, we've been honored to work with Katherine on her own Fazl collection; working with her is a dream come true. I honestly still can't believe it.”
Source: Fazl Socks
Tse also hopes that Fazl’s efforts in fair trade also make an impact on the fashion industry as a whole, encouraging others to use fashion for good and serve as a reminder that strength comes from community. “It's so important to come with open eyes and ears––to see the strength of a group of people. There might be poverty, even abject poverty, but there is incredible ability in the local people. There are more than needs, there are strengths,” she says. “Part of what's helped us the most is tapping into a skill nearly all the local women already possess, along with joining two orphanages, all run by local people, that are exceptionally well-run. It's so important to tap into what's already working. It may seem like we started something new with Fazl, but really, it was just about creating bridges between what already existed.”