Words by Abi Scaife
Fashion has a long history of being used for good - it’s a form of self-expression, communication, and a way for us to connect with others.
Dante Lucero is 18, and he is already using fashion to help others. He is the creator of Lucidity, a fashion brand which is working to promote a positive and impactful community around mental health.
Ahead of the Lucidity collaboration with Smiley, which aims to use fashion to destigmatise mental health and promote positivity, we caught up with Dante to hear more about why he created Lucidity.
“The first two weeks at a new school, someone took their own life,” explains Dante. “I'd seen the first day and it was a shock to me how people viewed it as normal. They brushed it off … and I thought ‘that's just insanity’”
“How something like that can occur in our society and not be taken to heart … that people don't feel they have support, or the ability to keep going.”
That’s where Dante came up with the idea of Lucidity - a way to promote positive mental wellbeing, while also destigmatising mental health struggles.
"We can really [want to] show ‘anyone can wear anything [and] anyone can be who they want to be and show their authentic selves’.”
“We’re really trying to focus on [promoting] prioritising self-care and mental health to find contentment and be with who they are in life.”
According to the CDC, among US adolescents aged 12-17 in 2018-2019, 15.1% had a major depressive episode, while 36.7% had persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness.
These statistics show that this is a problem throughout the country - that these struggles need to be taken seriously if we want to make a difference.
“From a personal standpoint, I've always struggled with low self-esteem,” Dante admits. “Moving to a new country where you're not accepted …, but I'm gonna be honest, my mental health struggles were never anything compared to what others go through.”
Watching his sister struggle with her own anxieties only drove Dante to be more passionate about change-making. He has seen first-hand the impact that struggles with mental health can have on a person, and how the conversation around poor mental health needs to change if we want to make a difference.
Lucidity is not just a fashion brand, but a community. They are committed to connection, bringing together people and helping them through their struggles with mental health.
Currently, they are working on building collaborations with charities such as Active Minds, not only to support the charities in question but to empower and enable those in their community to find the help they need.
“We're going to engage on our socials. We're going to respond to as many people as we can,” Dante promises. “When you put [Lucidity] on you feel it's more than just a garment; it’s something that you feel connected to. A movement.”
Dante is all about using Lucidity as a fashion brand to promote higher, positive change; to create a movement in which we do away with the stigma associated with poor mental health. He may only be 18, but he is clearly committed to the cause, and passion is a powerful thing.
“I'm still in high school. I'm attending college next year. [But] I’m going to be working through this and spending most of my time and effort on [Lucidity],” adds Dante. “I believe that Lucidity can not only be one of the larger fashion players but also be a really positive influence on youth.”
To support Lucidity in their mission, visit their website here.
You can support Active Minds in their work by volunteering or donating here.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Campaign to End Loneliness. This charity campaigns to make sure that people most at risk of loneliness are reached and supported. Support them here.
Samaritans. Samaritans works to make sure there's always someone there for anyone who needs someone. Find out more here.
Ripple Suicide Prevention. R;pple exists to ensure immediate mental health support is presented to individuals following a harmful online search. Learn more here.
This article aligns with the UN SDGs Good Health and Wellbeing and Partnerships for the Goals.
