Hindi Jain, who grew up above her mother’s New Hope boutique, last month began selling her new athleisure clothing there.
Some of the proceeds already benefit Girl2B, an organization that teaches financial and social independence to girls living in poverty. All girls in the program receive shirts with “Education is Power” written on the sleeves.
Jain also plans to make donations to the Trevor Project. She said she’s had friends who volunteered with the nonprofit that aims to prevent suicide in the LGBT community; they talked about how much it changed their lives.
Jain’s new line, called “The Words Collection,” features casual weekend wear, yoga essentials, henley tops, long-sleeve tops and tank tops. It promotes humanitarian ideals with words in different languages printed on the clothing, such as “sukha,” which means happiness and positivity in Sanskrit, and “peripéteia,” the Greek word for adventure. Each word is rendered in its language’s alphabet.
The clothing comes with a call to action. People are advised to think of two things that make them happy when wearing the Sanskrit word or make an interesting plan while wearing the Greek word.
“It’s an experience with the garment,” Jain said, adding later, “These clothes are statement pieces. They’re there to inspire positive messaging. Sometimes seeing it really does get the juices flowing in your mind.”
Items retail between $38-$68. They’re available online at www.hindijain.com, as well as at Jain’s mother’s store, the Shop of India; Dig Yoga and Bucks County Dry Goods.
Jain grew up around entrepreneurship and fashion. She recalled going to trade shows with her mother and watching her father work in wholesale, specializing in watches and ties.
After earning a degree in international business and marketing from Drexel University, Jain started her career at clothing labels like Ralph Lauren, BCBG Max Azria and Ann Taylor, among others.
She decided to branch out with her own designs so she could create a brand that echoed her ethos of ethical fashion. Jain said her upbringing in New Hope, a borough noted for its inclusive atmosphere, especially for LGBT people, inspired her to create a line that promotes equality.
The Words Collection started in November with a Kickstarter online fundraising campaign. It raised about $23,000, doubling her $10,000 goal.
In January, Jain traveled to India for four months to oversee the clothing production. She spent time with the “makers” to ensure they had safe working conditions and felt satisfied with the factory.