We love celebrities for their talent and we love them for their style. Yet, we rarely hear about the good things they do. Nor do we know how much effort they put in to make the world a better place. Aside from the occasional fashion tip, their best achievements are often overlooked by the dark and dismal topics on today’s social media. So we’ve come up with our top ten celebrity, fashion and charity collaborations to brighten up your day or just inspire you to do a little charity work yourself!
1. Rihanna & Dior
Currently the most-talked about design’s From Maria Grazia Chiuri’s first collection for Dior, Spring 2017, is her ‘We Should All be Feminists’ T-Shirts. Inspired by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s essay and TED talk of the same name, Dior stated a percentage of the sale proceeds will go to Rihanna’s non profit organisation ‘The Clara Lionel Foundation’. In honour of Rihanna’s grandparents, the CLF supports education, health and emergency response programs around the world. Shirts are available at all Dior Boutiques until May 15th. A limited edition in black is available from March 14th to the 28th.
2. Alexander Wang & ‘Do Something’
Fashion Designer, Alexander Wang decided to ‘Do Something’ with his 10 year Anniversary celebration and find a way to give something back to his fans. In August 2016, the designer released a collection based on 10 years of archived womens and mens clothing and sold them to the public. All proceedings from sales went to the global non-profit organisation ‘Do Something‘, who’s goal is to promote positive environmental and social change for youths. Together, designer and organisation created a new collection. They brought photographer, Steven Klein to shoot the pieces on celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and Rod Stewart, people who have a large part in the brand or brought fashion and social change throughout the years.
3. Miley Cyrus & Marc Jacobs
Last year, Miley Cyrus sent a kiss to those who still fight for reproductive rights. Collaborating with luxury brand Marc Jacobs and artist Marilyn Minter, Miley designed two exclusive t-shirts to aid Planned Parenthood. The nonprofit organisation provides reproductive health services and advocates the protection of reproduction rights in the US and globally. The shirt designs consisted of photographic images of the singer herself with printed slogans proudly stating Miley’s support for pro-choice. The slogans include “Miley Hearts Planned Parenthood” and “Pro-choice Miley”. Shirts were made available to both genders and were released at the NYC Planned Parenthood luncheon. Along with the limited run designs, Marc Jacobs also sold other collaborative shirts with varying designs. The shirts included more images from Miley Cyrus’s photo shoot and slogans supporting the cause.
4. Sarah Jessica Parker & Fendi
In 2015, luxury brand Fendi announced the ‘3Baguette Project’, a collaborative project enlisting five stars to re-design Fendi’s classic baguette bag. This includes Sarah Jessica Parker. Since her Sex and the City days, the actress holds a sentimental value towards the brand. Not only was Fendi integral to the plot, Fendi was the first luxury fashion house to work with the show. The project commemorated the new flagship store on 598 Madison Avenue. Any proceeds from the sales benefited a charity of the celeb’s choice. Sarah’s design was the first to surface in the collection and it’s probably the best! Sarah’s design had every essence of the Fendi baguette bag: gilded leather and accentuated with block panels in white, azure violet and black and finished off the the classic Fendi buckle. Sale proceedings from Sarah’s bag, went to aid research for the Brain Trauma foundation.
5. Kerry Washington & Aquatalia
Another bag designer! For three years, American actress and activist Kerry Washington collaborated with Aquatalia Boots & Shoes to design an exclusive designer bag for the ‘Purple Purse Initiative’. The all state foundation focuses on the ending of domestic violence through financial aid and empowerment. This year, the limited edition handbag will sell at $595 and will be available in Bloomingdales this month. Aquatalia states that it will donate 100% of its proceedings to the to the National Network to End Domestic Violence. Funds will then be distributed to the Purple Purse nonprofits for domestic violence victims and survivors nationwide. Washington plans to announce the on-sale date through her social media sites. Purple = power!
6. Kylie Jenner & SmileTrain
Kylie Jenner’s lip kits have become something of a must-have item for the trend setters. Everyone wants one! Back in 2015, Kylie Jenner launched her most famous lip colour, ‘Smile’ a gorgeous pale pink from her cosmetic line. This limited edition shade kept selling out in stores worldwide! This wasn’t just any statement lip colour. The shade was created specifically for ‘Smile Train’, a non-profit organisation that funds surgeries for children from developing countries and born with cleft palette. Last October, Kylie presented a check of $159 000, which gave 638 kids the smiles the wanted. The 2nd run of ‘Smile’ managed to raise $500 000. Keep up the the great work Kylie!
7. Naomi Campbell & Fashion for Relief
Model Naomi Campbell has made it clear ‘fashion’ gives back. Since 2005, Naomi Campbell has been a spokeswoman for ‘Fashion for Relief’, a show which has funded various environmental and humanitarian causes. The organisation has included high profile celebs to participate in the event, like Kate Moss, Kelly Osborne, Paris Hilton, Beyoncé, Justin Beiber and many more. Campbell’s most recent Fashion for Relief event was in 2015, to aid the Ebola Disasters emergency committee. The celebrity catwalk showcased archived pieces from Dolce and Gabbanna and Versace which were donated and auctioned for the cause. All proceedings went to charities such as the Ebola Crisis appeal and the Ebola survival fund. The show took place in London’s Somerset house.
8. Gwen Stefani & Harajuku collection: Red Hot
Singer Gwen Stefani’s used her love of beauty and the Harajuku Style to aid the American Red Cross. Collaborating with her all time favourite brand, she created an exclusive collection of Harajuku Lovers fragrances, titled ‘Red Hot!’. The series featured five individual fragrances in bright metallic packaging. Those who bought all five of the Harajuku fragrances received a complimentary tote bag covered in ridiculously cute emojis as well as a box of chocolates shaped like stars, hearts and red kisses. Talk about adorable! 20% of the proceedings went to the American Red Cross ‘Home Fire Safety Prevention program’. Both Gwen and the safety program hope to reduce 25% of death and injury from house fires by the year 2020.
9. Pharrell Williams & Adidas
Pharrell Williams’ ‘Hu’ Adidas line proves any fashion venture can successfully break down colour barriers. Collaborating with sportswear company Adidas, ‘Hu’, pronounced like the colour ‘hue’ and short for the word ‘human’ is an apparel and shoe line and set social media on fire. The collection included a limited edition of NMD Adidas running shoes, a 14 piece apparel collection and five new variations of shoes. The singer creates a brand, recognising the celebration of different colours, spirituality and cultures. ‘Hu’ was showcased by MHA Nation, an online campaign celebrating the Native American communities (Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara) of North Dakota. The showcase included images of young people wearing pieces from the clothing line along with the elders wearing ceremonial garb. ‘Hu’ was released September 29th last year at Adidas stores in Paris, Berlin and on their website.
10. Olivia Wilde & H&M
Last year’s collaboration with Olivia Wilde and H&M topped us off at number 10. Joining forces with the mid fashion line, she and her organisation ‘Conscious Commerce’ launched an exclusive collection titled ‘New, sustainable and ethical fashion’. Each clothing item is designed with cost efficient, sustainable and recyclable materials yet maintains the trendy H&M vibe. The launch was held in Café Clover New York and involved pop up stores where shoppers could browse the Conscious exclusive collection and donate clothes to H&M’s garment recycling program. It also gave shoppers an opportunity to meet the actress herself and receive a 20% discount for purchases. H&M has recently released their 2017 conscious exclusive collection. Feel free to check it out on their website!
