{our first} 4Love Giveaway

It’s time for our first official 4Love giveaway. With chilly weather right around the corner, we know you want something to brighten your day – Love Wraps are bright, fun, and one-of-a-kind.  

So here’s what’s up for grabs:

We are giving away not one, not two but THREE 4LoveClothing Love Wraps. Each Love Wrap is handmade, one of a kind and a must have accessory for any season.  Not only are these wraps beautiful, they also employ Ngobe Bugle Women from the Republic of Panama; each woman receives fair trade wages and supplemental education.  4Love Clothing is the gift that gives back!

Now, here’s how to enter:

You must sign-up for 4Love Clothing newsletter to be eligible to win; sign-up here {4loveclothing.com} and in the comments below, 

Tell me: what is your favorite holiday tradition?

Additional Entries
[Please leave a separate comment for each - if you only leave one comment for multiple entries it will only count as one entry - thank you!]

·         “Like” 4Love Clothing’s Facebook page – 1 entry

·         Follow 4Love Clothing on Instagram – 1 entry

·         Follow 4Love Clothing on Twitter – 1 entry

·         Share this giveaway on your Facebook page and link 4Love Clothing – 1 entry

·         Tweet this giveaway: I just entered to WIN a @4LoveClothing Love Wrap (http://bit.ly/1cwqGyU) #4loveClothing – 1 entry

The Details

1. Contest is open to US residents only.

2.Contest runs through December 15^th. Winner will be announced on December 16^th. Winner has until December 18^th to claim their prize before a back-up winner is chosen

Have additional questions? Contact me at 4loveclothing@gmail.com

Coming Together to Raise Funds for Sierra Leone

Being stateside has allowed some pretty cool opportunities for 4Love to unfold… Most recently, friend and fashion blogger, Jeanette of J’s Everyday Fashion, invited 4Love to participate in a fashion event that she is holding this Saturday, September 28th, to raise funds for children of Sierra Leone!

4Love will be keepin’ company with some of the best local fashion bloggers, boutiques and companies that Orlando has to offer, which means it’s a chance to raid some pretty awesome closets! It’s also a wonderful opportunity to see and try-on our latest collection of killer maxi dresses and head wraps. I just love how the entire event supports 4Love’s motto to do good, look good and feel good---In all that you do, do it 4Love.

I'm so excited to share this event with women and companies wanting to give back and make a difference. I can't wait to see what they have and shop. It might be a chance to pick up some early Christmas presents from these companies:

Clothes right from J's closet 
Ashley Haley with Thirty-One
Melonie Grover with Noonday Collection 
Other Peoples Property 
Market Colors
Plus many more...

The event is free and open to the public, so if you’re in the Orlando area, be sure to pencil it in your calendar! Event details:

Where: Summit Church (735 Herndon Avenue, next to Fashion Square Mall)
When: Saturday, September 28th, from 10am-noon

Speaking of trying the dresses on, many of you have been asking if this is possible before making a purchase. It sure is. Just message me at 4loveclothing@gmail.com and we’ll coordinate this process. I get it---I like to try things on first, too!

xoxo,
Lindsey

A few of our dresses

I'm in Florida!

Representing 4Love all over Florida and everyone is asking about our dresses!!! 

I’m in Florida! Enjoying the sunshine, family, friends and the smell of the ocean. Wow, how I’ve missed you, sunshine state. Many of you know, Florida is home for me {Satellite Beach to be exact}, and I must admit it feels so nice to be here.

Starting a business with nothing but the passion in my heart has not been easy…

I’ve stumbled, had a few disappointments and some tears, yet nothing has outweighed God’s prevailing glory encouraging me to never give up.  Some would say it’s easier to give up when times are tough or money runs out, but I know God put these passions on my heart and I want to live the life He chose for me!  I want to live life in full dependence on Him, trusting Him every step of this breathtakingly amazing journey!

I took each day one baby step at a time, repeating these verses as many times as necessary throughout my day “I can DO ALL THINGS through CHRIST who strengths me” Philippians 4:13 “Commit to Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.” Proverbs 16:3

I don’t have to worry or be afraid, because God’s got this! My role is to continue building my trust muscles, knowing that His greatest works are yet to come!

The women of 4Love and I have been working hard producing our most loved dresses---the Panama Maxi, Senorita Maxi and Fringe Panama Maxi plus some fun accessories. Our goal was to have 100 dresses ready for my trip to the states and we made 102!!

The purpose of my trip back to the states is for the next phase in 4Love Clothing---marketing and sharing our gorgeous products with you! I’m excited to debut our latest collection of dresses and accessories at House Parties hosted by friends who have been more than willing to help share 4Love with their friends and family. {If you’re in the Satellite Beach, Orlando, or Tampa area and want to either come to a House Party or host one, please contact me directly at 4loveclothing@gmail.com. We have great rewards for hosting---one even as awesome as a FREE DRESS!}

I also have meetings scheduled with ExposedPR and Events and some fashion bloggers!

If you’re a fan of Destination Weddings & Honeymoon magazine, be on the lookout for a featured 4Love dress as “the must have carry-on piece for your honeymoon”!

I’ll keep you posted of 4Love’s progress stateside. For those of you who live in Florida, Virginia, Mississippi or Louisiana I hope to see you on my trip!

xoxo,

Lindsey

More Than Just A Dress

Yep, that rights 4Love clothing is way more than just a dress, love wrap, or skirt. Our clothing has a story; a story filled with passion, love, empowerment, dedication and determination that needs to be shared with the world! How is your purchase with 4Love more than a dress, love wrap or skirt?

*You’re providing stable employment to the indigenous women that 4Love employs, where they’re paid fair-trade wages.
*You’re empowering these women and giving them confidence --- two things that they have never experienced.
*4Love was created to sustain and continue extending the reach of Sowing Seeds of Love {SSOL}, a Christian non-profit organization that I created in 2011 to empower women and children through education, creative arts, reading programs and team sports.
*SSOL also provides the women of 4Love, their families and others in the community the opportunity to be educated! For many of them, this is the first time they have been given the chance to learn how to read, write, do basic math and attend classes focused on health and hygiene.
*A portion of sales from each garment sold through 4Love goes to provide the DREAM KIT --- everything a child needs to attend National School. In a sad reality, most children in the developing world are not able to attend school because their family cannot afford necessary supplies, including school uniforms. 4Love and SSOL have partnered to supply children with a uniform, shoes and supplies to attend school.
*4Love also donates one-percent of all profits to continue extending the reach of SSOL.

A volunteer of SSOL, Brianne, reading to the women and children involved in 4Love and SSOL.

That is a lot of good, right?! The women of 4Love and I hope you feel proud and confident when you’re strutting down the “cat-walk” in your 4Love garment. Share the story and know that you are making a difference. As Gandhi says, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

We would love to hear where you've taken your 4Love garment and the stories you've shared --- post in the comments below.

xoxo, Lindsey 

The Book that Inspired 4Love

Do you ever wonder why someone starts a business, a non-profit, or running group? I’ve always enjoyed hearing and reading what inspires others to take a leap of faith in order to pioneer and start something they a passionate about.

I wanted to share the inspiration behind the clothing line, 4Love, that I created.  4Love was born out of a heart-wrenching book that would forever change the course of my life – Half the Sky by Kristoff and WuDunn. With each page that I read, I knew I wanted to find a way to empower women. I wanted to give women a greater voice so they could make decisions that benefit them and their family. I wanted to give them an opportunity to learn how to read, to learn how to write and give them the feeling of self-worth! According to the Chinese proverb, “women hold up half the sky”; women are the solution to breaking the cycle of poverty – not the problem – and I wanted to play a role in this growing revolution. 

Shortly after reading Half the Sky, God showed me a way in which I could help indigenous women in the Republic of Panama. This planted the seed for 4Love. Now, a year and half later, I’m thrilled to be sharing our latest collection of dresses with you! It has been one heck of a journey, filled with its fair share of stumbles and many sparkling surprises!

I would love to hear why you started your business, blog, running group or whatever that special passion may be for you! Please share in the comments below. I look forward to reading and responding to your story! 

xoxo,
    Lindsey Parry {Founder} 

P.S. If you haven’t read Half the Sky, I challenge you to read it.  It will open your eyes, heart and mind to a world where women have been denied everything, yet continue to beat all obstacles and fight for an opportunity to be empowered and educated. 

The Book that Inspired 4Love -- Half the Sky

Juana, Me, Nivia and Jilma - a few of the ladies from 4Love!

A style for everyone

Which dress is your favorite? Fringe Panama Maxi? Senorita Maxi? Panama Maxi?

I love them ALL!! If I had to choose, I'd pick the Fringe Maxi! The multi-color fringe and custom nagua around the bottom is breathtakingly beautiful! Sure to be a topic of conversation! xoxo, Lindsey Parry {4Love, Founder and Designer}

Hope to see you in the comments, let me your favorite style! #mystyle #summercollection

Our 4Love Story

4Love employs indigenous women of Panama (Ngobe Bugle Indians), where they receive fair-trade wages. These women make one-of-a-kind, handmade embellishments to dresses, skirts, tanks and head wraps that are inspired by their traditional dress – the nagua. In order to preserve stylistic traditions of the nagua, as well as give women an opportunity to creatively express themselves through their art, each garment maker is actively involved in selecting the colors and patterns used to make the nagua designs that accent every garment. 

4Love hopes to weave a relationship between the western women and Ngobe Bugle women by offering an opportunity to make a difference in the Nboge Bugle woman’s life. With each purchase, consumers are not only helping empower women through sustained employment with 4Love, they are also helping to extend the reach of Sowing Seeds of Love (SSOL), an existing non-profit focused on empowering women and children through educational opportunities. In a sad reality, most children in the developing world are not able to attend national school because their family cannot afford necessary supplies, including school uniforms. 4Love and SSOL have partnered to create the Dream Kit – with every garment sold a portion of sales goes toward supplying children with a uniform, shoes and supplies to attend school. 4Love also donates one-percent of all profits to Sowing Seeds of Love.

When women are able to generate an income, they are able to make decisions that benefit the entire family. As their children’s education is made a priority, the ripple effect will impact the next generation.

Can you really help the world? The answer is yes! Here are a few ways you are helping the world through your purchase:

-You are providing stable employment to women in developing countries where they are paid well above fair trade wages.

-You are empowering women and giving them confidence. Two things these women have never experienced.

- 4Love Founder, Lindsey Parry, also founded Sowing Seeds of Love {SSOL}, a non-profit focused on empowering women and children through education, arts and team sports. As a result, all women employed through 4Love, have the opportunity to be educated! For many of these women, this is the first time they have been given the chance to learn. The women of 4Love, plus many more in the community, are learning how to read, write and do basic math. They are also attending classes focused on health and hygiene. 

-A portion of sales from each garment sold goes to provide the DREAM KIT - In a sad reality, most children in the developing world are not able to attend national school because their family cannot afford necessary supplies, including school uniforms. 4Love and SSOL have partnered to create the Dream Kit, with every garment sold a portion of sales goes toward supplying children with a uniform, shoes and supplies to attend school.

- 4Love donates one-percent of all profits to continue extending the reach of SSOL.

Who Doesn't Love Fringe!

I'm beside myself on these Fringe Maxi dresses. I WANT THEM ALL! We are in the process of loading new inventory to 4loveclothing.com and you better believe your most loved Fringe Dresses will be available! Who is excited?!

A few fun facts about our maxi dresses

~ Blank dresses are made in the USA specially for 4Love

~ Indigenous women from the Republic of Panama, receive fair trade wages and add a handmade one of a kind nagua to every garment

~ Each tassel that creates the fringe is made individually 

~One dress takes over 13 hours to make

I know, it is a commitment, but I am so happy to be on this journey of empowerment, education and fair-trade opportunities for these women.  

xoxo, Lindsey and the Ladies of 4Love

A few photos to hold you over until you wear your dress proudly! 

Fringe Panama Maxi from our new collection

Fringe, fringe and more fringe! 

Fringe Panama Maxi from our new collection

My sister is seven months pregnant and she is rocking her 4Love Fringe Maxi Dress

Making of the nagua

Adding and arranging the tassels that create our Fringe Panama Maxi

Welcome to 4Love

Hi and welcome to our blog! 

Thank you for your interest in the betterment of women and the passion that goes behind 4Love. Take a moment to familiarize yourself with Our Story{www.4loveclothing.com/pages/our-story.htm} and the Behind 4Love {www.4loveclothing.com/pages/behind-4love.htm}.

From the moment I tried on the first 4Love dress, created by the Ngobe Bugle women of Panama, I knew God had something incredible in store. I must admit, every day during the creative process brought on new challenges. Through these challenges, an even greater understanding and thankfulness was paved for the road ahead.

It has been exactly one year since God blessed me with the seed of an idea to start 4Love. It was my sister Katie that encouraged me to walk up to the first Ngobe Bugle woman, Nivia, and share my 4Love idea with her. It has been God, the women of 4Love, my family and friends, that have encouraged me daily to never give up!  “I can do ALL things through CHRIST who strengths me”. Philippians 4:13

The motivation behind 4Love is LOVE and always will be. I have witnessed the love with my own eyes. Every day you can see the Ngobe Bugle women come out of their shells. They are overflowing with joy, an elevated respect from their husbands (this is very uncommon here), money to buy food and send their children to school. The journey that God placed me on has been worth every tear and every smile. I just want to do my part to help empower and educate the world.

Our 4Love clothing line will be launching in 2013....stay tuned.