Friday, December 10, 2010

Top Ten 2010 Fashion, Fitness, & Beauty Brands Committed to Causes

We can agree do disagree on brands that make a big difference in this world. But, one thing I know for sure, is I work tirelessly (indefatigable) to bring the best of fashion, beauty, fitness and health brands that make an impact in lives, in communities, and in this world through their business. I work only with such brands to help them bring GOOD-ness to this world through their brand, to customers, and causes alike. And at the end of the day, everyone wins.

I cannot think of a better way of doing business and am honored to have worked with brands that brought me into their worlds and have given me the opportunity to serve for the Greater Good.

10. Pacifica http://www.pacificaperfume.com/pacificas-environmental-commitment
A personal and home style fragrance company that embodies in every aspect of their giving a complete focus to what they stand for – Saving the Environment. A well branded, multi-giving platform for giving back from in-kind gifts to sponsorships.

9. Tory Burch - http://toryburchfoundation.org/pages/about/about.asp Much like Sarah Blakely of SPANX, Tory has created a fashion brand foundation. Her presence through her foundation in 2010 has been the strongest that I have seen. I would say Sarah Blakely with SPANX is a close second to Tory. Their message is straightforward, foundation websites are linked but separate from the company website and makes for compelling communication.

8. Audemars Piguet http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/05/time-to-give.html
Here is a brand that has withstood the test of time, pun intended. To top it off, their Time to Give campaign which supports their foundation embodies celebrities, their partnership with the Tony Awards and a charitable auction. Easy, uncomplicated for customers and fans of Audemars Piguet and you know exactly what your giving to. Stellar.

7. Esprit Love It & Leave http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/04/esprit-love-it-and-leave-it-campaign.html The video on this links speaks for itself, as does the line down the block at the Esprit store in NYC of customers who were willing to wait and participate in the campaign. I loved the energy behind this campaign.

6. Estee Lauder http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/10/estee-lauder-company-launches-connect.html A very philanthropic family-owned brand that sticks to the causes close to their heart and Foundation mission. Solid, steadfast and speedily keeping ahead of the curve in beauty brand philanthropy.

5. Weight Watchers Lose for Good http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/09/weight-watchers-lose-for-good-campaign.html This is a simple, customer-oriented, giving program that includes clients of Weight Watchers and two great causes that support hunger relief. I wish I had only thought of this campaign first. Brilliant, well organized and well communicated, year-after-year.

4. Tracy Anderson Get http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/06/get-fit-with-celebrity-trainer-and-make.html Fit This giving back platform is bright and high-touch. Tracy Anderson gets that when you work one-on-one with a client, you must align your giving program with the same personal touch while communicating to a general audience the cause that you are most committed to. She utilized Charity Buzz to include a bidding contest. Often brands want to include all the bells-and-whistles with their giving campaign often complicates streamlining the message. But Tracy made it easy for fans and customers alike. Tracy did this bid well. Perfect for her brand.

3. Kate Spade and Ivanka Trump (tie) http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/07/kate-spade-bangle-and-bridge-campaign.html and http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/08/ivanka-trump-launches-girl-up-bracelet.html
Without question, when you make a purchase of fashion and jewelry products from either of these two stellar designers, you know they are committed to sustainable designs. They are both committed to organizations that support micro-lending to women in undeveloped countries. The women get to work which means income, a life toward self-sufficiency and investments are made into healthy families and communities. Very cool.

2. MAC Cosmetics http://www.maccosmetics.com/shop/shop.tmpl?cm_mmc=Google-_-2009-Brand-Exact_General-1-_-MAC+Cosmetics-_-Exact+Ad_6523690140&cm_guid=1-_-100000000000000203864-_-6523690140 One of the brands with a brand fund, MAC is top of my list among cosmetic companies with a charitable giving program. Why? Because not only is their giving to HIV/AIDS unwavering, but also as a customer, whenever I am at the checkout counter, every representative sticks a card in my bag that explains their Fund and what they support. In addition, they recycle your empty lipstick tube. I love MAC, pure and simple.

1. Kenneth Cole http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/11/kenneth-coles-rubber-collection-fights.html This is my #1 pick brand philanthropy for 2010. The message is simple, clear (we all get it) and Kenneth Cole is totally committed to amFAR. There is no mistaking it. His brand philanthropy never waivers nor falters. It is steadfast and strong.

Honorable Mentions:
Mary J. Blige of FFAWN http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/06/mary-j-blige-collaborates-for-charity.html

Oscar de la Renta Couture of Charity Auctions http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/06/oscar-de-la-renta-auctions-couture-for.html

Lauren Pierce Designs (http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/09/lauren-bush-designs-socially-conscious.html)

Cover Girl, Clean Makeup http://giving-advice.blogspot.com/2010/01/clean-makeup-for-clean-water.html


Disclosure: Some blog posts of givingadvice do not necessarily reflect the work of givingadvice.

Monday, December 06, 2010

Couture Christmas Cards by Zac Posen


Choosing Holiday cards is one of my favorite things to do. I am very particular about the card, both its message and cover. Over the years, I selected to go with cards that support a charity. If you're going to send a card, make it count!

This year, Zac Posen designed a card for Tiny Prints to create a 'Couture Christmas' card to benefit New Yorkers for Children. The card embosses a woman in a full and festive gown. The inside message reads, "Make Your Holidays Sparkle." You can even choose your own card color, paper weight, and colored envelope to accompany it. Nice! A percentage of each card from this special holiday card edition supports New Yorkers For Children.

New Yorkers For Children is a nonprofit organization that assists children in foster care in New York City through college scholarships, tutoring programs, job training and networking opportunities. Their mission is to help improve the lives of children and raise awareness about child welfare issues.

Pick and purchase Zac Posen’s cards for NYFC at Tiny Prints.
photo: Tiny Prints