You’re scrolling through your feed and see another “eco-friendly” drop from a fast-fashion giant or a t-shirt with a catchy three-word slogan about equality. If you’re like me, you probably scroll past it because of how performative it all feels.
It’s not that I don’t care. I do. I’m just tired of the gestures that look good but don’t actually do anything. In 2026, we want more than slogans; we want to be genuinely informed. We want the receipts.
That’s why what Audrey Leland is doing at Illuminated Threads feels different. This isn’t just fashion; it’s a way to amplify the facts in a world full of noise. Audrey isn’t just a designer; she’s an educator with a background in Math and an MBA in Social Impact. She realized that if you want to change a mind, you don’t need a megaphone, you need a data point.
Wear the Facts on Your Sleeve
Most conversations with Illuminated Threads begin in one of two ways: someone compliments the clothing design or notices the QR code placed on the sleeve. That simple question opens the door to the story behind the piece.
Once the code is scanned, the “aha” moment happens, they realize the design isn’t a random graphic, the design is an actual data visualization. It’s not “artistic inspiration” in the abstract; it’s a literal map of the gender pay gap or a graph of global temperature change. When you look at the embroidery on an Illuminated Threads piece, you aren’t just looking at a pattern; you’re looking at the actual surge of carbon emissions over the last century. The clothing draws you in, but the data invites curiosity, reflection, and conversation.
The best part? It’s approachable, interactive, and subtle. You’re moving the conversation from “I think” to “The data shows.” Each QR code turns a simple outfit into an educational opportunity. That’s exactly why Audrey launched the brand: she noticed how her embroidery often sparked positive, enlightening conversations about the issues stitched into the fabric.
Customization: Give Your Clothes a Second Life
I think you’ll love this: Illuminated Threads offers custom up-cycling. Globally, fast fashion generates 92 million tonnes of textile waste each year. The most sustainable thing we can do is give the clothing we already own a second life.
You can actually send Audrey your favorite old denim jacket, a thrifted flannel, or even that hoodie you’ve had tucked away in the back of your closet. Audrey will embroider or print the data visualization of your choice directly onto your own gear.
It’s radical upcycling that feels personal. By up-cycling what you already own, you’re keeping textiles out of landfills and making room for creativity over consumption. It’s a way to say, “I value the resources it took to make this, and now I’m adding a layer of data-driven advocacy.”
How to Join the Movement
Between climate debates, changing social laws, and misinformation, it can be overwhelming to know what’s accurate. Objective data gives us a way to have informed and productive conversations instead of getting caught in the noise.
When you buy a piece (or up-cycle one) from Illuminated Threads, 5% of each purchase goes directly to nonprofits doing the heavy lifting, like Everytown for Gun Safety or The Environmental Defense Fund. It’s a closed loop: the data educates you, the design starts the talk, and the donation funds the solution.
Ready to swap slogans for stats? You can browse the ready-to-wear collection or schedule a customization at IlluminatedThreads.com. Every item comes with its own QR code so you can track the research and the environmental savings of your garment.
In a world that’s increasingly loud, wearing the truth is a quiet, powerful act of rebellion. You don’t need a megaphone when you have the data.
Does the idea of “data over slogans” resonate with you?
Last modified: January 17, 2026
