New York – Some of the fashion industry’s biggest names contribute money to pet charities ranging from AIDS to breast cancer and children’s causes, but it hasn’t kept them from digging deeper into their pockets to aid victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Among the support demonstrated during Fashion Week was a show to benefit AmeriCares, a global humanitarian organization. Organized by model Naomi Campbell, the Fashion for Relief benefit featured such celebrities as Beyonce Knowles, Sean Combs and Nicole Richie as well as former supermodels, including Janice Dickinson and Rachel Hunter.
Those who weren’t able to attend the show can still contribute, as outfits modeled on the runway are up for auction on Yahoo.com, and a $35 Fashion Relief T-shirt designed by Ralph Lauren can be ordered on Polo.com or bought at Polo Ralph Lauren stores. (Campbell also said she’s donating to AmeriCares the fees she earned for the half-dozen or so shows she modeled in during the week.) Details at polo.com, yahoo.com and americares.org.
Other efforts:
FUBU is giving up to $1 million in clothing to shelters in Baton Rouge, La., and Houston, according to a statement issued by Daymond John, the company’s chief executive.
Diane von Furstenberg said in her program notes that she will give to Habitat for Humanity an amount equivalent to the cost of producing her show.
Iconix Brand Group, the parent company for Badgley Mischka, contributed to the Touch New Orleans Foundation and left purple rubber bracelets for guests attending their show. Proceeds from the sale of $5 NOLA bands will be earmarked toward rebuilding schoolyards and recreations centers damaged by the hurricane. Details at touchneworleans.org.
Kenneth Cole, who wore a black T-shirt with a big red cross on the front and the phone number to donate to the Red Cross on the back, is now selling the shirt for $25 at his stores. Proceeds will go to the Kenneth Cole Foundation, which benefits the Red Cross, America’s Second Harvest, Operation Blessing and Convoy of Hope.
– Suzanne S. Brown
