Worn by an Angel: New Apparel Line Launched in Time to Aid Japan's Earthquake Efforts

LOS ANGELES, CA, March 18, 2011

An amateur photographer has formed a new apparel company called "Angel Status," with the mission to create couture for a cause.

The debut line for Angel Status includes the Limited Collection, a line of hip, high-end T-shirts with 100 percent of the proceeds going towards disaster relief efforts around the world. The second T-shirt to unfold within the Limited Collection, the J8.9 tee, retails for $65 with 100 percent of the proceeds benefiting American Red Cross disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Designed, tested, worn and loved within the modeling industry, the J8.9 tee features a computerized 8.9 in black and a red "J" inside the eight. It is only available for purchase online at http://www.angelstatus.com.

Troy Jensen, a passionate entrepreneur, amateur photographer and world traveler, formed Angel Status in August 2010 after having a dream that he was taking photos of an angel on a mountaintop, with an image of massive worldwide destruction behind her.

"In my dream, I was helping to create awareness and aid for the relief efforts by my photos," said Jensen. "I thought about it for days, wondering how in the world I could use my amateur photos to support charities. Then it dawned on me—the apparel industry. Maybe I could take photos of models in apparel that supports good causes."

Fresh off completing his Master's degree in Entrepreneurship, Jensen went to work researching charitable apparel companies and was disappointed to find very few that showed regular or even daily support to charities.

"That's when I decided to start Angel Status," said Jensen. "I wanted to create a cool, edgy brand that people automatically associate with good causes."

After the recent devastation caused by earthquakes in New Zealand and Japan, Jensen was more motivated than ever to launch Angel Status.

"I have visited both Christchurch and Tokyo, and I also have a personal connection to Japan because my mother is Japanese," he said. "Shocking enough, the first photo I saw of the devastation in Japan looked identical to the disaster I dreamt about in 2010."

Jensen's ultimate goal is to give today's most fashion-conscious consumers an opportunity to earn their "wings" by supporting a cause they care about through their purchases. He also hopes to inspire more social entrepreneurs and major apparel companies to create a charity connection to their brand more regularly.

Prior to the Japan earthquake, Angel Status unveiled a T-shirt within the Limited Collection line: NZ6.3, which retails for $65 with all proceeds benefiting New Zealand Red Cross earthquake relief efforts. The company has already garnered buzz on Facebook and ModelMayhem.com from models, designers and fashion insiders from around the world who want to use their talents to help support a great cause.

"It's a cool way for people in the fashion and design industry to make a difference," added Jensen. "We just officially launched, and already the response has been overwhelming. I get emails daily from people asking me how to get involved."

Angel Status is continuously searching for quality talent via Facebook to help design their latest T-shirt creations and take part in their unique profit sharing opportunities. For more information, visit http://www.angelstatus.com, or follow Angel Status on http://www.facebook.com/AngelStatus and twitter.com/angelstatususa.

Angel Status is an apparel company that creates couture for a cause. Born, designed, tested, worn, and loved within the modeling industry, Angel Status brings together models, photographers and graphic designers from all over the world to support various charities through the creation of high-quality designer apparel. To date, the brand includes two distinct lines: the Limited Collection, which donates 100 percent of proceeds to disaster relief efforts around the globe, and the Branded Collection, which donates a portion of EVERY purchase to charities, which may include Susan G. Komen's for the Cure, American Diabetes Association, American Red Cross, UNICEF, World Wildlife Fund, Hope Worldwide, Kiva and others.

The world's new go-to source for 24-7 information for disaster relief and charitable contributions, Angel Status is destined to become the next global apparel leader in supporting charities worldwide. Angel Status is here to change the world, one piece of clothing at a time. With our loyal customers' support, we will create a better world together.