As the 2015 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week comes to a close, New York looks back at the whirlwind of events, ideas, and inspiration that descended on our city. From Yeezy Boosts to head-to-toe cashmere designs, New York City is buzzing in the wake of a week filled with ideas from A-listers and international fashion icons. But inspiration was not found solely in designs; charitable events and outside-the-box shows brought a wholesome touch to Fashion Week 2015. We’ve highlighted some notable events that went down for a good cause. Check out the coverage below and get inspired!
Joining forces with Tackle Ebola, Naomi Campbell and Jeffrey Wright hosted the Fashion For Relief charity show on Valentine’s Day. With ‘zeros’ across their chests, models took to the catwalk to raise funds and awareness for the fight against Ebola. The organization’s ultimate goal is zero cases, meaning an end to the Ebola crisis and a new beginning for West Africans. Attended sported the ‘zero’ t-shrits and Tackle Ebola ribbons, with a packed house of celebrities lending their hands to the cause. Rosario Dawson, Mary J. Blige, and Paris Hilton were among the many to show their support. Naomi Campbell has been very active with the organization, which started its charitable work in 2005 and has helped disaster victims in Hatia, Japan, and the US.
More info on Tackle Ebola here.
Carrie Hammer’s “Role Models, Not Runway Models” concept turned heads last year, when the first model in a wheelchair took to the runway. This year, actress Jamie Brewer made history yet again in Hammer’s designs, being the first model with Down syndrome to walk in New York Fashion Week. Hammer’s Role Models campaign aims to represent the real women who purchase her clothes, and inspire young females to show their inner beauty. The show also featured successful women such as Kimberly Bryant, founder of Black Girls Code, and Shize Shahid, cofounder of the Malala Fund. Last September, Save the Date®’s own Jennifer Gilbert walked the runway as a Fashion Week role model as well. “I call it the runway revolution,” Hammer said in a recent interview. “Women can see these women in high positions and also see that they’re beautiful and feminine and incredible … I hope young women see this and say, ‘I want to do that. I can do that.'”
Check out our press release on Hammer’s campaign here.
When supermodel Toni Garrn isn’t busy walking catwalks, she’s raising money for a good cause. This Fashion Week, Garrn organized a clothing sale event to support PLAN International, an organization that raises funds for female education in Burkina Faso, Africa. A-listers joined in the cause, bringing bags of clothing, shoes, and purses to donate and spend the day giving back – among them supermodel Karlie Kloss and actress Michelle Rodriguez. Garrn’s involvement with PLAN stretches back to last year, when she visited Burkina Faso and had a touching experience speaking with the girls there about their needs and wishes in life. “The most striking thing I saw and learned there was how immensely important the role of women can be in those cultures,” she said in a recent interview. “They are the ones fighting to survive while taking care of dozens of babies. Having those women educated is the best way for a better future for third world countries.”
Learn more about PLAN International here.
Kicking off Fashion Week on February 6th, The Red Dress Collection displayed a bold line in support a great cause. In this year’s iteration, the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women and The Heart Truth teamed up as a collaboration of leaders in the fight against heart disease in women. The iconic red dress has become a global symbol; first making its debut as the national icon for women and heart disease awareness during Fashion Week 2003, it’s helped bring this important issue into the national spotlight. This year’s event went off as a success and brought together celebrities, models, and community figures together to support a great cause. Save the Date ®’s Jennifer Gilbert also made an appearance in a stunning red dress.
Read about the Go Red For Women organization here.
