Fashion with Purpose: How Hurtig Lane Supports Women Every Day

As a female co-founder of Hurtig Lane, ethical fashion is more than just a business model to me — it’s a personal mission. I started Hurtig Lane because I truly believe fashion can be beautiful, affordable, and ethical — all at the same time. When I launched this brand, I wasn’t just thinking about creating products. I was thinking about creating change — for women, for animals, and for the planet.

This belief has shaped everything we do, from the vegan materials we source to the factories we choose, to the women-led businesses we partner with. For me, supporting women isn’t a campaign we do once a year for International Women’s Day — it’s part of our DNA, woven into every watch, wallet, and accessory we create.

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Why Ethical Fashion and Women’s Empowerment Go Hand-in-Hand

The fashion industry has a complicated history with women’s rights. On the one hand, fashion has long been a platform for self-expression, creativity, and even rebellion — especially for women. But behind the scenes, millions of women working in garment factories have faced exploitation, unsafe working conditions, and poverty wages.

This is why at Hurtig Lane, I’ve made a conscious decision to only work with ethical factories — factories that pay fair wages, provide safe working environments, and uphold workers’ rights. Many of the artisans and makers we work with are women, and ensuring that they are respected, valued, and empowered is non-negotiable for me.

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Working Directly to Support Women in Underserved Communities

Beyond our ethical supply chain, I’m incredibly proud of our work directly supporting women in countries where opportunities can be scarce. Through partnerships with grassroots organizations, we’ve helped fund training and qualifications for women, giving them the skills and confidence to pursue careers and build independent incomes.

We’ve also provided remote work opportunities, ensuring that these women can earn an income without having to leave their families or communities, and we pay above living wages — because fair pay is a human right, not a luxury.

For me, it’s not just about writing a check or ticking a CSR box. It’s about investing in women’s futures. When you empower one woman, you empower a whole community — because women reinvest in their families, their children’s education, and their communities. That ripple effect is real — and it’s powerful.

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Collaborating with Inspirational Female Founders

One of the unexpected joys of running Hurtig Lane has been the chance to collaborate with other incredible female founders. Women who are not only building businesses but changing industries, advocating for animal rights, sustainability, mental health awareness, and inclusion.

One of those women is Katie White — a singer, author, and vegan food creator based in Australia. We interviewed Katie for our blog, and her passion for plant-based living and compassionate fashion is absolutely contagious. You can read our full interview with Katie here.

Then there’s Sian, the inspiring founder of Pockets of Bliss. Sian’s journey is one of courage and creativity — overcoming her own mental health struggles to build a thriving vegan business, creating gorgeous ethical homeware and gifts. She’s also just written a book, sharing her experiences to help others. I’m so proud to have featured Sian on our blog too — you can read our conversation with her here, and explore her beautiful products at Pockets of Bliss.

And of course, there’s Annick, the founder and CEO of Immaculate Vegan, a platform that has become a beacon for ethical and stylish living. Annick’s vision for a world where luxury and ethics coexist aligns so closely with what I believe, and it’s been a privilege to watch her build a brand that not only curates the best vegan products but also educates consumers about why these choices matter.

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The Power of Women Supporting Women

These collaborations mean so much to me because they embody the very essence of women supporting women. In a world where competition is often encouraged, I believe in community. When women uplift each other, we all rise — and we create space for the next generation of female founders, designers, and changemakers.

This spirit of community also lives within our customer base. When you buy from Hurtig Lane, you’re not just buying a watch or wallet — you’re investing in an ecosystem of women-owned businesses, ethical artisans, and grassroots changemakers. You’re voting for a future where women thrive, not just survive.

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A Moment of Reflection: How Far We’ve Come

International Women’s Day is a time to celebrate, but also to reflect. As women, we’ve made incredible strides — we can vote, we can run companies, we can lead nations. But the work is far from over.

Globally, women still earn less than men for the same work. Women are still disproportionately affected by poverty, climate change, and violence. In many places, girls are denied access to education, and women’s reproductive rights are still up for debate. Even in fashion — an industry fueled by women as both creators and consumers — women are underrepresented in leadership roles, and overrepresented in low-wage garment jobs.

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Fashion as a Force for Good

This is why I believe fashion must have purpose. It can’t just be about trends and sales — it has to be about empowerment, fairness, and sustainability. Every decision we make at Hurtig Lane — from choosing cruelty-free materials to partnering with ethical factories, to amplifying the voices of female founders — is part of that bigger picture.

Because fashion touches every part of our lives — what we wear tells a story. And I want our story to be one of compassion, equality, and positive impact.

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What Comes Next?

As we look forward, I know Hurtig Lane can do even more to support women. I want to create more opportunities for women artisans, particularly in rural and underserved areas. I want to mentor aspiring female founders, sharing the lessons I’ve learned building this brand. I want to use our platform to shine a light on the women who are fighting for climate justice, animal rights, and fair fashion.

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Join Us in This Mission

I’m sharing all of this because I want you to know that every time you choose Hurtig Lane, you’re choosing more than a product. You’re choosing to stand with women, to support ethical labor, to say no to animal cruelty, and to believe that style and sustainability can coexist.

This International Women’s Day — and every day — I’m proud to stand with my fellow women. Whether you’re a founder, an artist, a mother, a student, or a dreamer — you are part of this story. And together, we’ll keep rewriting the future — one ethical choice at a time.

With love and purpose,

Cerian

Co-Founder, Hurtig Lane