Ashley Bidenhas made her foray into both fashion and social entrepreneurship with a single venture, launched in partnership with flash-sale site Gilt during New York Fashion Week. <\/p>\n
Its good news for grassroots initiatives in Wilmington communities and the entrepreneurs at their helms. <\/p>\n
Biden, who has spent the past 15 years in social work and currently serves as the executive director of the Delaware Center for Justice, announced her new ventureLivelihoodin New York on Tuesday. There, the daughter of former Vice President Joe Biden and Second LadyJill Biden introduced what she called Americas coziest and sleekest hoodie to a room full of family, friends and collaborators. <\/p>\n
The hoodies are produced ethically and sold exclusively on Gilt, but its the mission behind the brand that should catch the attention of Delawareans.Livelihood aims to be much more than socially conscious apparel its an enterprise that hopes to help create social equity in Wilmingtons underserved communities. Heres how: <\/p>\n
From reflectors embedded on sleeves that catch sunlight with a raised fist to the Livelihood logo, everything about the venture looks to be intentional and mission-driven. <\/p>\n
Youll notice in the logo theres an arrow [in the logo], and thats symbolic for two reasons, said Biden at the launch. One of those reasons is that between her brothers Beau and Hunter, Biden said there was a family joke that her name should have been arrow. The second, she said, was inspired more directly by the passing of her brother Beau in May of 2015. <\/p>\n
I feel like I put my grief into art and into this concept. When my brother passed, life dragged me down and I had no other choice but to shoot forward, she said. The arrow represents my father, the three little arrows are Beau, Hunt and me, and mom is the rod that runs through us. <\/p>\n
In addition to support from big names like Rev. Al Sharpton and musician Paul Shaffer(both of whom made appearances at the launch), Livelihood hasgarnered celebrity endorsements from folks like Ben Affleck and Bidens fellow Wilmingtonian, actressAubrey Plaza. <\/p>\n
Mona Parikh, Ashley Biden and Patrick Callahan. (Photo by Tony Abraham) <\/p>\n
Wilmington leaders came out in full force, as well. Well keep you posted on Livelihoods goals of boosting grassroots initiatives throughout the city starting in the Riverside projects. <\/p>\n
Tony Abraham covers Philly's impact community as lead reporter for Generocity. A former Technical.ly reporter in Delaware and Philly, Tony also writes for Red Bull Amaphiko. Though he lives on his Twitter timeline, the Temple University alumnus calls Fishtown home.<\/p>\n
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Here's what went down at the NYC launch of Ashley Biden's charitable clothing line - Technical.ly<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Ashley Bidenhas made her foray into both fashion and social entrepreneurship with a single venture, launched in partnership with flash-sale site Gilt during New York Fashion Week. Its good news for grassroots initiatives in Wilmington communities and the entrepreneurs at their helms Continue reading