Designers Cuddle Up for Charity: Missoni, Prada, Versace Teddies
When two of the most powerful families in luxury retail decide to volunteer their time, energy and resources, the world can’t help but take notice. It all started when Margherita Missoni started volunteering for the Italian division of OrphanAid Africa nine years ago. Seeing the good that could be done, she continued the volunteer work, eventually becoming president of the division. The granddaughter of Octavio and Rosita Missoni, Margherita is no stranger to being in the spotlight, and showing she has heart. Model and designer, she plays a key role in the family business as unofficial muse and representative.
Now, the Missoni family has joined forces with another family-run empire, Holt Renfrew, to benefit OrphanAid Africa with the proceeds from an exclusive collection of wonderful bears and elephants in the fashion house’s iconic print and colors that have gained world-wide acclaim among celebrities and fashionistas. Sold at about $50 each, a portion of the proceeds from Holt Renfrew’s exclusive zoo of adorable zigzag bears and elephants will go towards their goal of reaching $100,000 to contribute to OrphanAid Africa in its humanitarian work for children and families in Ghana, West Africa.
Missoni is not the only fashion legacy to take on a more active role in humanitarian circles. In 2010, Gucci launched their children’s collection and the flagship children’s boutique in Via Tornabuoni, Florence with a million dollar donation to Unicef’s Schools for Africa program. Now in the 7th year of their partnership with Unicef, they have continued to support the Schools program in the name of their children’s collection through the sales of clothing and bags specifically designed for the project. Following an inaugural donation of $350,000, 25% off the proceeds from the 2012 GG Flag Collection will go to support Unicef’s schools for Africa and schools for Asia programs.
Many high-end designers like Gucci, Prada, Missoni, Fendi, Pucci and Versace (to only name a few) have also designed this year’s haute couture collection of Pudsey Bears. The 24-inch bears were recently on display at London and Manchester Selfridges stores, after which the originals were auctioned off at Christie’s to support BBC Children in Need. For those who could not be in attendance at the Christie’s event, a selection of the bears was also auctioned off at the Designer Pudsey website, and now Pudsey paraphernalia can be found on a dedicated eBay store.
With no lack of opportunities to participate in projects that benefit children in need around the world, the message in the world of Italian fashion is clear: the most style conscious also have social conscience.
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