Tirza Design: Fashion With Purpose
Tirza Design embodies fashion with a purpose, as its ethically made and sourced products are thoughtfully crafted with the business model of survivor empowerment in mind. Originally created as an organization to support human trafficking survivors, TIrza Design has continued to empower survivors of abuse and trafficking by helping them achieve education, economic independence, and healing. Beyond their products, Tirza Design’s ultimate mission is to provide a creative community and reliable source of income for survivors who are earning their GED, for those in addiction recovery programs, and for those who are prioritizing healing through therapy and aftercare programs.
Nikkie Affholter, founder of Tirza Design initially created this brand out of her heart for justice. Her fashion background was influenced by both her travels in the Middle East and her career in the fashion industry as a photographer in Kansas City. She has developed a keen eye for eclectic fashion and has worked alongside many models, designers and runway shows. Nikkie is a Christian, wife and mother of three. She is committed to working alongside survivors of human trafficking to build community and transform lives.
Tirza products are created purposefully and ethically. Every product is handmade, assembled, and/or packaged by survivors of human trafficking in Kansas City, MO. All materials are sourced from fair trade suppliers and their metals are the highest quality gold-filled findings sourced by local artisans. Products range from high-quality gold-filled and sterling silver minimalist designs to eclectic and modern colorful tassels. Gold-filled designs are made with either 14k or 18k gold by bonding a thin sheet of gold to nickel-free brass and processed to permanently bond. These pieces are 100x more durable and tarnish-resistant than gold-plated metals. Tirza’s gold products are a high-quality, price-conscious alternative to solid gold.
As part of Dressember’s secondary mission to provide alternatives to the fast-fashion industry, we are committed to partnering with brands who share values of providing fair wages to workers, sourcing from ethical suppliers, prioritizing quality and natural materials, and valuing “slow fashion”. Rather than producing garments that are cheap, trendy, and poorly made, our brand partners value ethical fashion, where workers can make a living wage. Not only does Tirza Design contribute to our efforts against the fast-fashion industry, they also contribute to the upward cycle of empowering survivors and helping them achieve education, economic independence, and healing.
Tirza uses eco-friendly packaging and is mindful of their environmental footprint as well as their ethical footprint in the fashion industry. According to the EPA, 77.9 tons of packaging contribute to landfill growth per year, accounting for 30% of the total waste in the country. When these materials are disposed of, the plastics never decompose, they just break down into microplastics. Tirza is conscious of this environmental footprint and uses eco-friendly packaging to contribute to waste reduction. Every purchase is gift-ready as it comes sleekly wrapped in wrapping paper, with a sticker and a custom-designed mailer box.
Every product and purchase is designed with survivors in mind by both creating ethical products and contributing resources and funds toward survivor empowerment. A percentage of all proceeds are donated to organizations with the parallel mission of supporting survivors and being mindful about the various ways abuse can intercede the chain of supply. Creators at Tirza have described their company brand as “a revolving door of empowerment from those who design them to the ones who wear it.” Their mission actively breaks away from the cycle of disposable fashion by using intentionality in every step of their brand, from its inception, to sourcing their materials, to their handmade products, all created with the wearer in mind for the purpose of contributing to a sustainable survivor network.
Tirza Design is also offering a 20% off discount code: TIRZA20
About the Author
Becca Wong is a junior at the University of Michigan studying Sociology and Social Work with a minor in data science. She aspires to reform trauma-informed legal systems and is passionate about mental health, survivor advocacy, and social justice. In her free time, she loves curating playlists, taking care of her plants and spending time with her friends.