Giving Back, Forever in Style

As we head into the holiday season, the season of giving, we are faced with decisions on what to give family and friends. But what about giving back, as in giving to charities? Recently in the December issue of Marie Claire, a special feature was run on designers who donate to charities, the spread was called, 15Hereos by Design, We Salute You. Although this feature did not showcase any new trends or sneak peeks into designer’s collections, I still find it pertinent to the fashion industry. In hard economic times, it seems as if those who are already suffering suffer even more. These designers who are willing to give back make a large statement when charities are in more need of support than ever before. The featured designers are some of the top in the world including, Ralph Lauren, Kenneth Cole, Dian von Furstenberg, Donna Karan, Donatella Versace, Michael Kors, and Oscar de la Renta. The variety of charities the designers support and donate to is commendable. Raising awareness about AIDS in Africa, breast cancer, orphans in Africa, earthquake victims in Sichuan, China, are just a few of the charities that designers have made a part of their lives. One of the interviews I was most intrigued by was Oscar de la Renta. He supports New Yorkers for Children, a foundation that works to find homes for orphans and foster children and also to help them further their education through scholarships, tutoring programs, job training, and networking opportunities. I personally was touched my De la Renta’s word when he was quoted as saying, “Every child deserves a proper education and the support of a family whether it is the family that they are born into or the one that finds them. New Yorkers for Children finds these young people and gives them a family. They lend their support and their means, encouraging every child, regardless of their past, to go after their dreams and build their futures. And for me, there is nothing more important in the world than to make a child a smile.” I agree with Oscar de la Renta’s statement, seeing children faced with hardships succeed and giving them the resources to expand and enter the real world is a great thing. So as you hunt for the perfect gift this season, keep in mind the option of donating to a charity in someone’s name. Don’t forget that a little bit of help can go a long way, and that you might affect someone you don’t even know.
http://newyorkersforchildren.org/