By Sarah Fujimoto
What do darkness and light have in common? Does darkness encapsulate light? I was reminded of this dichotomy the other night while looking at the bright and seemingly stagnant moon that was surrounded by dark shifting shadows. Formed around the moon was an almost perfect circle of light that covered the darkness that lurked behind it.
It was a reminder to me what light and hope have in common, and in the midst of darkness the change that it brings. When I think of these things my mind shifts to Julia LoVan, whose life reflects light in the midst of darkness. Julia LoVan is the creator and owner of Julia LoVan Dresses, a company in Los Angeles that connects fashion with impoverished communities locally and internationally.
WRECKED: JULIA, WHAT DOES JULIA LOVAN DRESSES DO?
JULIA LOVAN: Julia LoVan Dresses represents class through its production of classic sophisticated dresses. I am in the middle of mass producing our first piece. In the meantime, I hand sew tote bags, slouch purses, hand paint on tees, and rework vintage items, which is how a lot of my designs start.
WRECKED: HOW DO YOU CONNECT FASHION WITH THE POOR?
JULIA LOVAN: My hope is that people who make clothes are paid and treated fairly. I had a dream a few years ago to start a fashion company where disadvantaged women could work, helping them to start their own business. Pursuing this dream I moved out to Los Angeles with no car, apartment, job, or cell phone. I got a job at Starbucks and worked my way into the fashion industry. God has put opportunities in my path. Never working in the film industry before, I was able to create 5 looks for a feature film coming out spring 2009. We’re called to do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God, and I do that through all these different avenues. I’d like to train some of the former kids from the community center I work at to screen-print, and create jobs for them through my company. Through buying my items, you know your purchase has stayed in the community, helping to alleviate suffering and poverty. Also, parts of the proceeds of my items are donated to Breath of Heaven Children’s Ministries in Lusaka, Zambia. What I’ve been doing now, while Julia LoVan Dresses is being developed, is hook kids up with odd jobs or internships with organizations in Los Angeles.
WRECKED: ARE THERE WAYS TO CONNECT FASHION AND BUSINESS HERE WITH COUNTRIES OVERSEAS?
JULIA LOVAN: AFESIP provides job opportunities and skills training in sewing and design to victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation. I am currently talking with them about manufacturing my dresses.
Bon’s Edun clothing label’s mission is to create beautiful clothing while fostering sustainable employment in developing areas of the world, particularly Africa.
Kiva.org enables you to be a micro lender for people overseas.
TOM’S Shoes donates a pair of shoes to a child when you purchase a pair yourself.
Rosa Loves designs a shirt, and once they reach the goal of a particular need, they don’t sell that shirt anymore.
City of Others, a denim company, enables you to donate to one of three charities when you enter a code from your jeans online.
More preferably, live simply and don’t consume so much, or make your own clothing. I love the quote by Ghandi, something like there is no beauty in the finest cloth if it creates hunger and unhappiness.
WRECKED: HOW DID YOUR INTEREST AND PASSION WITH THE POOR BEGIN?
JULIA LOVAN: My family was poor: We were refugees from Laos in a small Midwest community, so I always knew what it was like to be an outcast, mistreated, experiencing racial prejudice, and not being chosen for things when I knew I was the best. Since grade school I remember trying to help people belong, because I knew what it was like.
My experience in a yearlong service program in inner city Atlanta with Mission Year rocked my world. I worked at a high school in the counseling department, as track and field hurdles coach, at a dance center and summer arts camp. “They” became our friends, we lived life with them, and understanding was developed.
WRECKED: WHAT WAYS CAN OTHER PEOPLE SUPPORT EFFORTS OF FASHION AND JUSTICE ISSUES?
JULIA LOVAN: The best way to support efforts is to get involved directly, even if it’s once a month. I find that my heart is disconnected to charitable causes when I give financially but am not connected directly. Christ calls us to a life of service and compassion, and a good way to develop compassion, if you have none, is to be in the midst of pain and suffering.
You can check out Julia LoVan’s online store. You can also read her creative social justice blog.
Sarah currently resides in an inner city community in West Philadelphia. She is attending Eastern University in St. Davids where she will be getting her Master of Arts in International Development this June. She enjoys exploring, learning, sewing, creating, dance, youth, writing, drawing, music, and painting.