Art With Purpose founder uses denim streetwear line to raise awareness for breast cancer

Los Angeles - With denim as the focus this month for FashionUnited, brands such as Art With Purpose have been highlighting their denim pieces for greater causes. The organization, created by Marc Thaler, owner of Art With Purpose, has raised awareness and funds for breast cancer through his streetwear-inspired hoodies, denim jackets, and more. The Los Angeles-based line is manufactured completely locally ranging in price from approximately 30 to 300 dollars. FashionUnited chatted with Thaler about the altruistic project.

Marc, tell us, how did you come up with Art With Purpose?

I started Art with Purpose after I graduated USC in December, because I wanted to reach my generation and capture their attention to this disease that affected me so much when my mom had breast cancer. I dropped out of school when I was a freshman to be with her during this testing time and started to make a lot of art during this time. That’s why it’s called art with purpose. Capturing the young audience is so crucial I think for grand problems like these. Clothing is also a conversation starter and the message encourages other people to speak up about their stories with cancer. Breast cancer is an uncomfortable thing to talk about; people sometimes feel embarrassed or just defeated, but I want to change the narrative and encourage people to stand up and tell their stories to empower more people to become a part of the solution. Especially men need to get a little encouraged. As a man the chances of me getting breast cancer are really little, but if the women that we love are touched with this disease it affects us men just as much. So far the clothing has been a vehicle for hope, conversation and fundraising.

In helping Breast Cancer Awareness, where do the proceeds from this denim-centric line go?

I have formed partnerships with hospitals (City of Hope, St Johns, Keck School of Medicine at USC) and other organizations such as John Wayne Cancer Institute and Phase One Foundation. I believe that there is so much money in breast cancer research but I don’t think it is used in the right ways.

That is why I have partnered with Phase One and together with them I am funding a Triple B Negative trial at City of Hope done by Dr Yuan. She is a cutting edge doctor in the field and I trust her with the money.

How much money have you raised for the organization and what is your end goal?

Over 40,000 dollars has been raised so far through events and sales. There is no true end goal, as much as can be raised.

How does the denim in your collection help emphasize LA fashion culture?

Everything is manufactured in downtown Los Angeles. I believe the pieces I have are very edgy and young, in addition with the unique denim jackets I have been able to capture the Los Angeles fashion culture and twist it a little to make a more meaningful product, than just a cool and loud streetwear line.

What is the current price range of the products that you retail?

Hats: 35 dollars, Tshirt 42 dollars, Long sleeve 54 dollars, Sweatshirt 78 dollars, Jean Jacket 250 dollars.

Do you plan to move forward with your fashion in helping organizations like this one?

I believe the fashion world is overdue for a brand that has a cause first, and a product second. Even though it is now geared towards breast cancer obviously, I am making a line for Alzheimer’s with Maria Shriver and also looking to support other causes and have different fashion lines benefit different causes. So people can wear cool clothes for a cause. Often times, nonprofits or charities are struggling with captioning an audience through apparel or other products, and I believe I have found a way to do just that.

How does the denim in your collection help emphasize LA fashion culture?

I think the youth in Los Angeles and New York is so powerful, creative and smart. I just want to make sure some of their energy is used to focus on some of the big problems we face as a society, such as diseases that I am convinced can be cured through my generation. The only way to do that is to engage people young and get them passionate about these causes and encourage them to speak up about their own stories and put things to action. I hope I can be an influence in doing that, just encouraging my generation and give people hope.

Photo Source: Art With Purpose