Merch by Migrants

Through Merch by Migrants, migrants have the opportunity to express their creativity and share their stories through original shoe designs featured in our online store. This project brings together migrant designed products, storytelling, and art activism migration, turning everyday footwear into a platform for human rights activism and awareness.

For every pair of men’s shoes, women’s shoes, slip on shoes, and canvas shoes sold, funds are saved for the artist who created the design. When they complete our programs, these savings go toward purchasing the equipment and materials they need to continue using the skills they’ve learned — whether it’s a laptop, software, or other professional tools. This support contributes to migrant programs, helping individuals move toward freelancing, starting their own business, and building long-term stability through migrant entrepreneurship programs.

Women’s High Tops

Men’s High Tops

Having shoes taken away from migrants poses a significant health and safety risk. Proper footwear is essential for protecting their feet. Without shoes, migrants face increased vulnerability to injuries that can lead to severe health problems, especially where medical care is limited. The lack of footwear also restricts mobility, making it difficult to navigate hazardous areas or respond to emergencies. In short, shoes are a basic necessity that ensures safety, dignity, and mobility. Removing them increases exposure to harm and reflects broader patterns of migrant human rights violations and border violence migrants face along migration routes.

Women’s Slip-Ons

Men’s Slip-Ons

This practice is widely seen as a form of control and coercion, used to discourage movement and limit autonomy. It raises serious concerns within human rights at borders discussions and highlights the urgent need to support migrant rights, defend asylum rights, and stop border violence. By purchasing from Merch by Migrants, you are not only supporting a cause based fashion brand and fair trade social impact fashion initiative — you are also taking part in solidarity merch campaigns, supporting NGOs working with migrants, and helping build more ethical brands supporting migrants.