Style is Survival: Support LA Fire Survivors

On January 7th, 2025, devastating wildfires tore through Los Angeles, displacing thousands of families and exposing deep cracks in our city’s emergency response systems.

As large-scale aid efforts fell short, The People’s Free Boutique by Quirk stepped in — because style, dignity, and normalcy should never be afterthoughts in disaster recovery.

Since day one, we’ve been here — providing real help without judgment, unnecessary paperwork, or delay.
We thoughtfully screen recipients to ensure resources reach those genuinely impacted, maintaining a safe, calm, and respectful environment for everyone we serve.

Our boutique is AAPI-led, operated by a diverse team of volunteers — many of whom are survivors themselves — creating an environment rooted in inclusion, compassion, and resilience.

About The People’s Free Boutique by Quirk

The People’s Free Boutique by Quirk is a dignity-centered mutual aid initiative offering free, styled clothing to disaster survivors, displaced individuals, and families facing systemic barriers to access.

Housed within Quirk, our sustainable fashion showroom in Downtown Los Angeles, we transform fashion into a trauma-informed tool for recovery — restoring personal identity, agency, and hope.

✨ Because fashion isn’t frivolous. Fashion is survival.

• 🌐 Learn more: shopquirkla.com/la-fire-help

About Couture Zen

Couture Zen is the parent company of Quirk and The People’s Free Boutique by Quirk, founded by stylist, designer, and advocate Melynda Choothesa.
With a 15+ year history in the fashion industry, Couture Zen blends sustainability, creative direction, and community care to redefine the role of fashion as a force for social good.

• 🌐 Visit: couturezen.com

About Well Cloth’d Inc.

We are proud to operate under the fiscal sponsorship of Well Cloth’d Inc., a Black woman-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in New York.

Well Cloth’d is dedicated to advancing clothing equity, dignity, and empowerment across communities affected by disaster, displacement, and systemic inequality — one garment, one person at a time.

• 🌐 Visit: wellclothd.com

Where Your Donation Goes

• Cleaning supplies and sanitation tools (detergent, gloves, garment bags)

• Volunteer and admin stipends (many of whom are survivors themselves)

• Outreach and communication (flyers, deliveries, digital media, press)

• Website hosting, donation portal management, and operational support

• Snacks, meals, and wellness support for volunteers

• Gift cards and emergency support for displaced families

• Fixtures and infrastructure: garment racks, bins, steamers, signage, and labeling

We are committed to careful stewardship of donations and resources — ensuring aid reaches those truly in need, while fostering a safe, welcoming space for all backgrounds and identities.

Future Plans

Today, your support directly aids fire survivors.
Tomorrow, with sustained support, we aim to expand through The Couture Zen Foundation, building permanent programs for:

• Survivors of domestic violence

• Transitionally unhoused individuals

• Foster youth aging out of care

• Disaster-displaced communities citywide

Our future depends on ongoing donations and grant support — but our commitment to dignity and community will always remain.

Suggested Giving Levels

• $25 helps cover sanitation supplies or a volunteer meal

• $75–$150 supports garment infrastructure and outreach printing

• $200–$500+ helps fund stipends, deliveries, and emergency aid

• Monthly Giving stabilizes our operations and sustains future expansions

Press & Media Coverage

Our work has been recognized by:

• NBC Los Angeles

• Telemundo 52

• LA Times

• Yahoo News

• Jimmy Kimmel Live

• Fashionphile

• NBC Universal Digital

• Mutual Aid LA (featured network partner)

🌐 See coverage and updates: shopquirkla.com/la-fire-help

Thank You

Every dollar you give clothes real people.
Every volunteer hour builds real dignity.
Every act of support brings real community healing.

Thank you for standing with us — from day one, and every day forward.

The People’s Free Boutique by Quirk
In partnership with
Well Cloth’d Inc.