The dress is our uniform, the flag of our movement. Dressember is an opportunity to reclaim and reappropriate the dress as a symbol of freedom and power; a flag for the inherent dignity of all people.
Make a statement
Every year, thousands of advocates around the world take on the challenge of wearing a dress or tie during the 31 days of December.
The dress or tie serves as the conversation starter to educate your community about human trafficking. Through your personalized campaign page, you'll be able to share your journey with your community and make a tangible impact in the fight against trafficking. We equip you every step of the way with the tools to become an every day advocate.
We believe #YouCanDoAnythingInADress, including raise millions of dollars to support the fight to end human trafficking. Join us this December.
We know that:
Source: United Nations & International Labor Organization
So, we did something about it.
In 2005, our founder Blythe Hill began hearing about the issue of human trafficking. Despite her deep sense of urgency to help, she felt helpless. She wasn't a lawyer or a doctor or a social worker; her interests and talents were in fashion, trend analysis, and blogging. She didn't think she had much to offer to the fight, until four years later.
In 2009, Blythe challenged herself to wear a dress every day of December (hence: Dressember). Every year since then, more people joined in until Blythe’s one-person challenge blossomed into an international movement to fight human trafficking.
It started with a dress.
Since 2013, Dressember advocates have raised over $16.5MM CAD to fund vital anti-trafficking work worldwide.
We work with our partners to dismantle trafficking holistically and in a way that prioritizes survivor needs and voices. It is our hope that through a growing, collaborative community of advocates, we will ultimately dismantle the human trafficking industry from every angle.
2009
The beginning
Blythe Hill challenged herself to wear a dress every day of December. Friends joined in the following year and word spread.
2013
Gaining momentum
Dressember became a movement to fundraise for change, with 1,233 participants globally. We partnered with IJM and raised over $215,000 CAD!
2015
New partners
Dressember began a partnership with A21. Advocate participation nearly quadrupled since 2013.
2016
$1.3MM CAD for change
Dressember began its first US programmatic partnership, and for the first time ever, raised over $1M.
2018
Onward together
Dressember began 9 new partnerships across the U.S. and thousands of advocates raised nearly $3.2MM CAD worldwide.
2019
Dressember launched Dressember Canada.
In partnership with Dressember’s longest partner, International Justice Mission, the two organizations joined forces in 2019 to create Dressember Canada. Between Dressember Canada and Dressember world, we’ve raised over $16.5MM CAD to to fight human trafficking around the world.
Here are some ways you can get involved.:
Dressember welcomes year-round support in the fight against human trafficking. Follow the links below to make a general donation, become a monthly supporter, or participate in our annual campaign.
Make a Donation
Dressember welcomes any opportunity to assist our partners in the fight against human trafficking. Follow the link below to make a general donation.
Donate your big day!
Birthdays, anniversaries, even wedding registries are great avenues to create an impact. Donate your special day to the cause and invite your friends and family to contribute in lieu of presents!
Become an Advocate
Every year during the month of December you have the chance to link arms with fellow advocates to raise money and awareness for the fight against global human trafficking.
Become a year-round supporter
Join a powerful community of advocates and donors furthering the work and impact of the Dressember Foundation through monthly giving.