A Lexington, Kentucky-based startup focused on fair wage hours and ethical supply chains recently announced the launch of a collection of items through Menomonee Falls-based department store retailer Kohl's Corp.
To The Market has arranged for its Global Good “capsule collection” to be available at Kohl’s stores and Kohls.com (NYSE: KSS) for a limited time in conjunction with the start of Women’s History Month.
The collection — which appears to be 22 items based on a search on Kohls.com — features accessories and home goods such as towels, candles and wine totes as well as greeting cards. All of the items were made in a women-owned factory in India, creating 2,700 fair wage hours for the factory, according to a release.
“This collection represents a wonderful example of authentic storytelling. The products are produced in a women-owned and operated factory by a certified women-owned business in honor of Women’s History Month,” said founder and CEO Jane Mosbacher Morris in the release.
Two female artists at To The Market, Chelsea Smeaton and Ermelinda Mendanha, designed the Global Good along with a group of freelancers. Inspiration for the line, which features bold colors, illustrations, and patterns, came from themes of women’s empowerment and self-love.
“Art is the visual representation of our voices, and Women’s History Month is a beautiful time to remember and acknowledge those who paved the way for us to have that voice be heard,” said Katie Hosier, one of the freelance artists, in the release. “Now that I am a mother, it is even more important for me to inspire my daughter to emulate the women who laid the framework for us to succeed.”
“I think now more than ever we need to support each other, especially as artists so that we can spread a supportive and inclusive environment,” added Julia Wollner, another freelance artist. “As an artist and a woman, I appreciate what women before me have done to pave the way, which inspires me to keep going.”
To The Market — named one of KY Inno's Startups to Watch in 2022 — is a Certified B Corp., as well as a certified women’s owned business. It raised $5 million in late 2021.
Founded by Morris in 2019, To The Market is a software platform which connects clients (retailers, corporations and brands) to a syndicated network of sustainable and ethical suppliers of goods, which have been vetted through a proprietary technology. Its goal is to promote transparency in all sectors of the supply chain while allowing clients to quantify the environmental and social impact of the goods that have been procured.
Morris, who is the author of the 2019 book, “Buy the Change You Want to See: Use Your Purchasing Power to Make the World a Better Place,” was one of the finalists in the CEO category of our Fire Awards for 2022.
To The Market’s client list includes Bloomingdale’s, Burlington, Nordstrom, Target and T.J. Maxx.
