Fashion and philanthropy
Yesterday, June 13th, the International Blood Donor Day was celebrated. Donating blood is one of the greatest acts of social responsibility within our reach. The growing population and demand for different blood types are threatened by a low level of donations, to which we can all contribute. As participants in the fashion industry, a sector with significant social and economic power, we believe it is crucial to highlight initiatives for citizen participation. As individuals in society, we have the responsibility and power to change the world as consumers and citizens.
In honor of yesterday's celebrated day, and in line with this theme, we delve fully into the social actions of people in the fashion industry. Being one of the largest industries in the world, the clothing sector has an immeasurable potential for influence. For this very reason, and due to the presence of major fashion campaigns and figures in our lives, many of the industry's key players have dedicated themselves to actively helping the world. In this blog, we review some of the key figures in the fashion landscape who are doing their part for a better world.
Natalia Vodianova (Naked Heart Foundation)
The Russian supermodel, famous for her campaigns for Louis Vuitton and Calvin Klein, launched her initiative Naked Heart Foundation Inc. in 2004. Her work focuses on promoting and creating opportunities for children with special needs, with fundraising galas and funding for specially designed parks and play areas.
Among their projects, they also establish professional support spaces for parents. Their mission, as explained on their website, is the creation of a more inclusive society for individuals with disabilities or special needs. The World Health Organization, the University of Glasgow, and the renowned organization Autism Speaks are some of their institutional supporters.
Chloé & UNICEF (Girls Forward)
Through a limited capsule collection, Chloé and UNICEF joined forces to launch the Girls Forward initiative. This initiative serves as support and promotion for UNICEF's initiatives for gender equality. Models and Hollywood stars joined their campaign, providing greater visibility to the project.
It is still possible to donate to their initiative on Chloé's official website.
Karlie Kloss (Kode with Klossy)
After taking computer programming classes at New York University in 2015, the supermodel and former Victoria's Secret angel founded the summer camp Kode With Klossy. Kode with Klossy is an initiative that seeks to open up the world of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Medicine) to more women, given the inequality in numbers within these fields.
Targeting young girls between the ages of 13 and 18, her initiative provides full scholarships in major American cities for an introduction to coding. Her students have already won international competitions in the sector. Currently, her programs have expanded worldwide with over 4,000 scholarships in cities like New York and London.
amFAR Gala
Held every year during the Cannes Film Festival, the amFAR (American Foundation for AIDS Research) Gala brings together stars from around the world for fundraising events. These funds are intended to finance research for the cure of AIDS, which in recent years has experienced greater expansion thanks to initiatives like amFAR.
Usually presented and organized by stylist and former editor of Vogue Paris, Carine Roitfeld, the gala auctions fashion and art pieces from the world's top creators. Many top fashion houses donate their pieces for the occasion.
Brands like OAMC, present at OTTODISANPIETRO, promote collaboration with charitable causes in each of their collections. As an industry that employs millions of people worldwide, and among the industries with the highest capital in the world, fashion has transformative power for society at all levels. Our purchasing actions affect more than just our own wardrobe, and we can choose to support initiatives for global change and improvement through our purchases.
