AuH2O in The Feminist’s Guide to NYC
May 7, 2012 | Filed Under Feminism, PressAre you a feminist living in or visiting New York? Looking to support local shops run by feminists on feminist values? There’s a guide for you! Janice Formichella created The Feminist’s Guide to NYC,” a website that lists feminist shops like AuH2O, women’s history sites like Emma Goldman’s residence, and feminist museums, like Judy Chicago’s “The Dinner Party” at the Sackler Center for Feminist Art. She’s starting out with a feminist’s guide to NYC, Denver, Philly, and Seneca Falls, but plans to include even more cities as she expands.
We’re so thrilled for AuH2O to be a part of the Feminist’s Guide to NYC, along with my favorite bad-ass feminist shops like Bluestocking’s Bookstore and Babeland. Janice interviewed me about why AuH2O Thriftique is a feminist-friendly business, so here’s a few of my responses from AuH2O’s Business Profile:
FG: How do you apply feminist values in your business?
“I think the biggest feminist contribution comes from distancing ourselves from the mainstream fashion industry. This is a broad stroke ranging from not contributing to the manufacturing of new clothes in sweatshops to outfitting models of all shapes and sizes in fashion shows (why should every model be 5’10” and 100 pounds?) to designing politically inspired/motivated fashion (Obama fashion shows in ‘08, a Health Care Reform fashion show in ‘09, and there will be more Obama fashion in 2012). In addition, we keep feminism in the conversation whether at the store or on our Twitter and tumblr – we post links that upset us, like when Belvedere vodka used rape as a marketing tactic, and things that we like, such as Feminist Ryan Gosling. Also, our store is very affordable with a permanent $5 and $10 rack and most items in the store under are $20, so we aren’t trying to take advantage of women. Our customers can shop without buyer’s remorse and can try out new trends without breaking the bank.
FG: Why is it important that feminists have “feminist friendly” places to shop?
“I think it’s important that consumers “vote with their dollars,” in a way. When you shop at a clothing company or huge corporation that uses sweatshop labor and exploitative practices, or negative body-image ads, or donates their money to conservative and anti-gay organizations, you’re supporting those terrible business initiatives. So when you shop at Urban Outfitters, you know that some of your money is going towards candidates like Rick Santorum (thank God he’s out of the race now, at least) and his anti-women, anti-gay policies. Or when you shop at Forever 21, you have their religious views all up in your face with “John 3:16” on the bottom of all of their bags. But when you shop at a feminist friendly store like AuH2O, you’re spending your money supporting the local economy at a company that is run by feminist women, pays its employees well, provides an affordable, eco-friendly product, and also donates to the National Network for Abortion Funds, New Alternatives for LGBT Homeless Youth, Women Action Media (WAM!), and the East Village Community Coalition, among other charities.
And that’s just part of the profile, there’s more - read the whole thing here!
Do check out the whole site - there’s a bunch of great resources. I know next time I bike up the West Side Highway I’m making a point to see the Eleanor Roosevelt statue on 72nd and Riverside.
Big thank you to Janice Formichelli for creating such a useful guide! And for including us!












































