In response to COVID-19 and the ongoing fight for racial justice and equality, brands are launching new products and partnerships to help. Here, we’re highlighting initiatives by artists and brands like Moda Operandi, Atelier Paulin, Net-a-Porter, and more.
Moda Operandi has partnered with New York City florist Lewis Miller Design to create Flower Flash Boxes. Featured are three unique flower arrangement boxes—The Beach Bloom, City Garden, and Country Wildflower. “I think flowers are more important now than ever before,” says Lewis Miller. Each LMD X LSD Moda Flower Flash box contains 55 stems and is available on Moda Operandi’s website.
Courtesy of Jonne Amaya.
The Los Angeles-based sustainable fine jeweler Jonne Amaya has created “You Are Black Gold”—a one-of-a-kind gold and diamond pendant with 14k yellow gold and repurposed diamonds to raffle off. All of the proceeds from the raffle will go to the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nonprofit organization that defends human rights and liberties. The pendant was created in collaboration with Merlin Valdez, a young Afro-Dominican Educator from New York.
The French jeweler Atelier Paulin launched a series of four bracelets in partnership with (RED). Three bracelets spell out “EMPOW(RED),” “INSPI(RED),” “INC(RED)IBLE,” and one features a simple heart detail. Thirty percent of the proceeds will be donated directly to (RED) to benefit the organization’s mission in raising awareness and aiding in eradicating AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa.
Artwork by William Ruller.
The much-anticipated opening of the 74Wythe in Brooklyn has been delayed due to the ongoing pandemic. Principal owners of the venue Zach Weinberg and Josh Kaiser, however, have decided to make the venue available to leaders of organizations for internal meetings and events. These organizations include Black Lives Matter, the Brooklyn Community Foundation, the Stonewall Community Foundation, the New York Center for Children, the New York Community Trust, and will, indefinitely, each receive 1 percent of net profits for all private event sales. Awaiting the possibility to open, the iconic Brooklyn space is also projecting onto its exterior walls video screenshots of conferences and photographs. From the outside, the public can see people making a difference, like medical personnel, essential workers, and courageous activists.
In response to COVID-19, Michael Kors is making a $35M product donation to Delivering Good. Michael Kors products will be donated through the nonprofit organization’s network of local agencies serving hard-hit markets throughout the country. A believer in long-lasting change on both the local and national levels, Kors said that with Delivering Good, the brand is able to “ donate our product and know that it will be provided to the local communities and organizations throughout the country that need it most. If we have learned anything during these trying times, it’s that when you are able to help, you should.”
Courtesy of Phillips.
Net-a-Porter has partnered up with Gabriela Hearst to raise funds for Save the Children. The fashion duo has launched an exclusive two-week initiative—from June 26 to July 13—centered around Hearst’s new BAEZ bag. 20 percent of all sales from the handbag will go to directly to Save the Children, keeping kids around the world healthy, safe, and educated.
