by Amanda Howe
Riding the trend of fashion-for-charity, boutique owner Karen Danziger proves that consumerism doesn’t need to be a dirty word. Her small Knox-Henderson storefront Verso sells sophisticated men and women’s fashion and accessories with a twist: a portion of the purchase price supports the brand’s chosen charity.
One of Verso’s greatest admirers is A.M.E.N. founder Eric Kimmel. Kimmel’s recycled clothing label takes clothes donated from international organizations such as Salvation Army and trains African villagers to create one-of-a-kind fashions for resale in the US and the UK. A percentage of A.M.E.N. sales goes towards community development projects in Mokanji, Sierra Leone.
“When fashion is made for a cause it acquires a deeper meaning, a more personal meaning, less of an anonymous, mass produced feel,” says Danziger. This is certainly true of featured designer Denise Finch, who enjoyed a successful television career until her brother, Dr. Mitchell Anderson, passed away at 45 from skin cancer. His death devastated Finch and left her brother’s five children without a father. Perhaps as a way of coping with grief, Finch quit her job as KTVT, CBS 11 and KXAS sales manager and founded a line of infant wear, Skin Deep 4, dedicating part of the proceeds to raising skin cancer awareness.
In addition to featuring Dallas-based labels, Danziger also supports local causes. She takes old, unsold inventory to the fashion design students at Dallas community college El Centro. The students reconstruct the clothes and create new designs, and then Verso sells these garments to help the students raise money for an end-of-term fashion show. .
Bottom line: Verso marries high style and noble intent to make clients feel as beautiful on the inside as they look on the out. Curious readers can learn more about Verso at www.shopverso.com 
