Replace your Ti(RED) with Inspi(RED) Sneakers

Unless you've been hiding under a rock, you've heard about PRODUCT (RED) and purchased one of their many products over the past few years. According to the folks at PRODUCT (RED), (RED) is not a charity but rather a business model created by Bobby Shriver and Bono to raise awareness and money for the Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT) RED branded products. A portion of profits from each (PRODUCT) RED product sold goes directly to the Global Fund to invest in African AIDS programs, with a focus on women and children. They have helped over 2.5 million people in Africa effected by AIDS.

I think it's one of the most brilliant marketing campaigns since "Got Milk?" (which actually made me drink milk again). I've been Inspi(RED) to buy their clothing at the GAP for my family and ado(RED) giving iTunes (RED) gift cards as gifts. So often I check their (RED) shop to see what new partners have joined or new products are available. I recently discovered a new creative initiative by one of their original partners, Converse.

In 2008, Converse (PRODUCT) RED introduced the latest designs from the Converse 1HUND(RED) - the brand’s unprecedented year-long global curation project designed to further support their partnership with (RED). For the 1HUND(RED), Converse commissioned 100 musicians, graphic and graffiti artists from all over the world to create one-of-a-kind sneaker designs inspired by the global fight against HIV and AIDS in Africa. Converse also recently launched the African Canvas collection of Chuck Taylor All Star shoes, made from canvas sourced in Africa.

And you can customize your own (PRODUCT) RED sneakers online with their "MAKE MINE RED" platform. This one-of-a-kind design experience lets you use custom colors and patterns to construct your own Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers (hi, low, and slip) or Skidgrip. 5-15% (depending on the product sold) of the net sales of Converse (PRODUCT) RED shoes goes directly to the Global Fund.

I just had great fun creating my own Philanthropy A LA MODE inspired Jack Purcell Converse low tops. What a great way to design your own shoe and support a worthy cause. The one I designed was about $65 and it will take about 3-5 weeks to arrive. Check out my design.

SO if you feel inspi(RED), go replace your sad, Ti(RED) old sneakers!

The Art of Recycling - Christine Lee

The Artist In Residence Program at SF Recycling & Disposal, Inc. is an innovative program that inspires and educates people about recycling and resource conservation by providing local artists with access to materials, a work space, and other resources at their Solid Waste Transfer and Recycling Center. Since 1990, artists have worked in a large, well-equipped studio next to SF Recycling & Disposal's Transfer Station. The Transfer Station is located within a 44-acre property that includes several recycling facilities and the Public Disposal Area (also known as "the dump"). Art is created from what would have been sent with the rest of San Francisco's trash to landfills across the Bay or recycling plants across the nation.

If you're in San Francisco this weekend and want to learn more about recycled art, check out the exhibit "Linear Elements" of artist in residence, Christine Lee, this Friday, January 23rd (5-9pm) and Saturday, January 24th (1-5pm) at SF Recycling & Disposal (501 Tunnel Avenue). Christine created a body of work that includes a site specific installation, a sculpture that doubles as a public seating area, and a series of three-dimensional works. Using 100% reclaimed wood and concrete, Christine built a modular bench sculpture designed specifically for the back of the art studio, which was recently transformed from a muddy wasteland to a pristine courtyard using recycled concrete. SF Recycling & Disposal reuses concrete returned from job sites for facility improvements and now, for functional art.

Christine explains: "My current investigation lies in the reuse of materials. From sources such as surplus, liquidator and thrift stores, I collect items ranging from fire hoses to sweaters. Mundane, repetitive tasks such as coiling, folding, interlacing, and stacking allow me to develop an understanding and appreciation for a material beyond it's common associations and intended function. Experimenting with multiples of a material allow me to work through a variety of configurations and offer me opportunities for discovery. The resulting objects, forms and installations weave my deep appreciation for the environment with the tactile experience. The sense of repetition, rhythm and refinement applied to the pieces reveal my internal cadence that is meditative but at the same time, concerned by our society's abusive pattern of production and waste."

This art form truly supports the notion that one man's trash is another woman's treasure.

Slow Clothing Movement - Lemon Twist

We've all heard of "couture" fashion and the luxury of one-of-a-kind, tailored clothing. But have you heard about the "slow clothing" movement? A San Francisco couple, Danette and Eric Scheib, and their small clothing business, is a part of this movement. Lemon Twist designs for men, women and children are all locally designed, sewn and worn, and create community through fashion. Danette cuts all the clothes in her Hayes Valley shop, and tailors the clothes to fit your body. And it's affordable. Many of their pieces are modern and classic and withstands trends. You can even have a custom one-of-a-kind by picking your own fabric. Lemon Twist maintains an intimate personal commitment to their loyal clientele by creating smart distinctive designs with impeccable tailoring. When you buy locally designed and sewn clothes, you support your local community's economy and reduce the negative shipping impact on the environment. And these clothes will fit your body impeccably. I think that outweighs the instant gratification of off-the-rack buys.

If you're in San Francisco this Friday, January 23rd (6-9pm) stop by Lemon Twist's Hayes Valley store (537 Octavia Blvd.) for a post-inauguration party and canned food drive benefiting the San Francisco Food Bank. The San Francisco Food Bank delivers food to over 600 community food programs including 191 neighborhood pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, homeless shelters and youth programs, and serves over 132,000 people each year.

So go support a local designer and feed the hungry! I hope this slow clothing movement is quick to catch on.

Hope and Elegance Never Goes Out of Style

Every fashion, design and political blogger is buzzing this morning about what our First Lady Michelle Obama wore to the inauguration balls last night. Regardless of whether you liked her dress (designed by NYC designer Jason Wu, which I believe is extraordinary), I believe we can all agree that hope and elegance never goes out of style. This is my favorite AP photo of the President and the First Lady at the Commander-in-Chief ball last night. Now let's all join together today and help them change the world!

Giving the Clothes Off Our Backs

What could be more philanthropic than giving someone the clothes off your back? Well, I'm not actually suggesting you do this. But some celebrities are doing just that for charity.

The Clothes Off Our Back Foundation hosts charity auctions showcasing today's hottest celebrity attire and autographed memorabilia which are auctioned to the public with proceeds benefiting children's charities. Clothes Off Our Back was founded by actors and philanthropists Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm In The Middle") and Bradley Whitford ("The West Wing") whose efforts, along with their celebrity and designer friends have helped improve the lives of children across the globe. Over 500 celebrities and 200 designers have participated in Clothes Off Our Back auctions since its inception in 2002, helping raise nearly $3 million for various children's charities.

You should definitely check out Clothes Off Our Back's current auctions which end on March 11, 2009 (5pm PST). You could own the Tadashi Shoji gown that Carrie Underwood ("American Idol") wore during her televised performance at the Conde Nast Media Group Presents 2007 Movie Rocks. The floor-length black/nude evening gown with silk georgette tiered bodice and hand stitched tull on lace skirt (size 2) is quite the old Hollywood glamorous stunner. But if you're not planning to attend a ball or walk down a red carpet anytime soon, you could also own one of many less formal and party perfect little black dresses donated by celebrities like Julianne Moore's YSL wrap-styled, multi-tiered, short-sleeve dress with a plunging neckline (size 4) or Sharon Stone's Fendi knee-length, sheer, sleeveless dress (size 6). Opening bid for dresses are $100 with a reserve bid requirement.

My only disappointment is that most of us are not all size 6 or under like these celebrities. But don't fret. There are other interesting one-size fits all products for auction; for example, an autographed bottle of wine from the Little Black Dress wines collection, signed by Gavin Rossdale or Ne-Yo has current high bids of $100 and $50.

Proceeds from auctions held between June 2008 and May 2009 will benefit Feeding America (formerly named America's Second Harvest - the nation's largest charitable hunger-relief organization), The Art of Elysium (which enriches the lives of artist and critically ill children), H.E.L.P. Malawi (spreading hope, education, love and protection to the children in Malawi) and Hope North (helps displaced children in Uganda find a new home: education, recreation, vocational training and communal living).

I just learned about Hope North. In northern Uganda, tens of thousands of children have been abducted to serve as soldiers in a brutal civil war. Okello Sam, the founder of Hope North, is a well-known Ugandan dance and theater artist whose family was directly affected by the war. He and his brother Godfrey were abducted, and Godfrey was eventually killed by rebels. The war has made orphans and refugees of many others, with 1.6 million Ugandans forced into overcrowded camps. Doctors Without Borders named the conflict in northern Uganda one of the top ten most underreported humanitarian tragedies. Hope North’s 40-acre campus was created to give education, vocational training, community and hope to some of these young victims, while preserving their Acholi heritage.

Whether your motivated as a celebrity fan, coveting a new-to-you designer little black dress, or compelled to help one of these great children's charities... you can just simply make a bid at Clothes Off Our Back and satisfy all three!

BoGo... because Light Matters

The BoGo Light is a scientific, eco-friendly breakthrough that is making an impact worldwide. It is improving the lives of individuals, families, and entire villages throughout the world by replacing costly kerosene, candles, and disposable battery flashlights with an affordable, long lasting, solar flashlight. BoGo means "Buy one, Give one." With each light purchased in the developed world, the BoGo Light company donates a second identical light to an organization that will distribute it in the developing world. You can choose from two models priced at $39 or $49.

Why does light matter? Two billion people living in the developing world rely on kerosene lanterns, candles, and single-use battery flashlights for light at night. Not only are these options expensive, dangerous, and harmful to the environment, they also negatively impact health, education, and security. The BoGo Lights provide an opportunity for children to read at night and to extend school hours. This is especially important in developing countries where most children spend all day tending crops, taking care of livestock, or working in cottage industries. Kerosene is increasingly expensive, especially given the recent rise in the price of petrochemicals, so many families cannot afford it. Flashlights are even more expensive, and candles do not provide adequate lighting to read. As a result, many children will never learn to read and will be trapped in a life of poverty. BoGo Lights give them a chance at a better life, thus education is one of the strongest pillars in their vision to light the world.

I love this flashlight! It's truly a melding of great design (comes in bright orange or hot pink), functionality and opportunity to make a difference. When you buy a BoGo Light, you can have the company donate the other light on your behalf; or you can pick from one of the 70+ organizations listed on their website to be the organization to receive your other light and distribute to a child or family in need in their program. You can search by several subcategories of causes such as health, education, U.S. military, environmental, etc. to find partnering organizations.

One new-to-me non-profit organization benefitting from BoGo Light is MEDRIX (Medical, Educational and Development of Resources through International Exchange) which provides medical education and safe water development in Southeast Asia. MEDRIX volunteers (including doctors and other health professionals from the United States) have helped train health workers in Southeast Asia, refurbished health clinics, and developed an ultraviolet water treatment system to provide clean and safe water. This BoGo group of non-profit partners is a great place to learn about many other organizations supporting rural, impoverished communities around the world like Shoulder to Shoulder in Honduras, Carpenter's Kids in Tanzania, East Africa, and Paradis des Indiens in Haiti.

So GO! BOGO online... not only will you get a great new tool for your next camping trip or rolling blackout... but you'll learn how your gift of light will truly make a difference in this world.

eBay Giving Works for Worthy Causes

Sometimes I wonder what our lives would be like without eBay? Especially if you're a collector of vintage objets d'art, it's like being a little kid in a candy store. But while you exercise your collecting urges, you can also be a philanthropist. Through eBay Giving Works program you can "help rescue animals, build homes, supply vaccines, provide clean water, educate children, plant trees and so much more. It's as easy as looking for the blue and yellow ribbon when you shop, donating part of a sale to a cause you care about, making an online charitable contribution, or all three!" EBay has donated $166 million to charitable causes thus far. And you can add to that if you like some of the things that I found on eBay, each with a percentage of the sale going to their designated charities.

I love mid-century modern design. I live in a mid-century modern house in Los Angeles. I have some classic mid-century furniture pieces scattered throughout my living space. I love the clean lines and pure aesthetics of that era which never goes out of style. I often find wonderful mid-century furniture and collectibles on eBay. Here's what I found today:

This rare Eames era Marilyn Neuhart mod fabric doll was first made for the Herman Miller Textiles and Objects (T&O) store in Manhattan in 1959. This is a special limited edition, made circa 2003 by a women's artisan co-operative in New Mexico, measuring 9 inches tall and featuring fire engine red-colored yarn hair and a hand silk-screened flower and peace dove decoration, on natural, handwoven Mexicotton. These silk-screened Marilyn Neuhart dolls, originally marketed by maXimo Design, have been out of print for some time and are considered rare. The doll still has the maXimo tag attached, which includes the background story. It's eBay buy it now price is $295.

Each doll is unique. This one, named Sonia, made in 2004 measures 6.5 inches tall and features turquoise blue yarn and hair and a hand-embroidered two heart decoration on vintage turquoise and avocado Alexander Girard Mexicotton. The doll is signed by Marilyn Neuhart on the back, under the hairline, and comes with a signed Certificate of Authenticity and a beautiful T&O name tag, also dated and signed. It's eBay buy it now price is $225.

Both dolls are from a private collection and have been archived in protective plastic. 10% of the final sale price (with a small deduction for MissionFish which administers the process) goes to Save the Children - a leading independent organization that creates lasting, positive change for children in need. Save the Children's programs in health, eduction, economic opportunities, emergency assistance and protection benefit over 41 million children in more than 50 countries throughout the world, including the United States. Working with families to define and solve the problems their children and communities face and utilizing a broad array of strategies to ensure self-sufficiency is the cornerstone of all Save the Children programs. Since 1919 in the aftermath of World War I, Save the Children has evolved into a leading international relief and development organization.

I'll check these eBay Giving Works auctions throughout the year and let you know what lovely designer gems I find and about the worthy charitable causes they benefit. And if you're ready to clean out those closets and sell some stuff on eBay, sell it through the eBay Giving Works and donate to your own favorite causes!

Shopping for a Better World

"Shopping for a better world" is the motto for "aGoodCause.co.uk" - a UK-based shopping portal which donates a designated percentage to charitable organizations when you shop through any of their 618 stores. Some of the retailers and service providers are quite familiar like Nike, Skype and Match.com. But if you shop the UK-based retailers and you don't live in the UK, please find out if they ship to your country. AGoodCause.co.uk has over 200 charitable organizations affiliated with their program. You can have leave it to them to take care of distributing your donation or you can choose the organization that benefits from your donation. Many are UK-based charities; but others are internationally based like one of my favorites, UNESCO (the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization). So shopping for a better world is that easy.

I've perused through the various lists of online shopping destinations and found a lovely gem of an online designer boutique called Bunnyhug.co.uk with emerging fashions from around the world. Six percent of your purchase will benefit one or more charitable causes. Once you arrive at the Bunnyhug site, at the top of the page, you can change the viewing currency from British pounds to your relevant currenty. And you'll even get free international shipping if you spend over US$220. A GoodCause.co.uk has raised over half a million dollars thus far. So don't let the bloody exchange rate stop you and check out some of these gorgeous finds. Oh, and did I mention - they are having a SALE!

I found some internationally recognized brands such as Missoni and Vivienne Westwood, many familiar LA-based brands like C&C California and Ella Moss (which I personally love); as well as other emerging designers from Los Angeles, New York City, Vancouver, London and Sidney; and you can even find a couple items from Kitsons (for my LA readers). Since they are having a SALE, the stock appears to be going fast, so good luck on finding your sizes. But here are a couple items that I'm coveting with a one size fits all.

Kenneth J. Lane's Gunmetal and Fuchsia Pave Disco Ball Ring (was $92, now US$64) is a perfect party piece. Kenneth's fabulous costume jewelry have adorned the glamorous for over four decades including stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Audrey Hepburn, Madonna and Sarah Jessica Parker. I would definitely have to hide this from my fancy four year old daughter.

Eugenia Kim's purple wool plaid bias-cut beret with a gunmetal buckle and a silk lining (was US$155, now US$77). Eugenia, formerly of Parsons School of Design and Allure magazine, became an overnight success literally from a bad hair cut. She shaved her head afterwards and made a hat to keep her bald head warm. One month after she was discovered, her hats were being sold at Barney's and soon thereafter worn by A-listers like Gwyneth Paltrow and Nicole Kidman.

So hop into the Bunnyhug sale... but remember to shop through the aGoodCause.co.uk portal so you'll be helping some worthy causes!

Good Design for the Planet

Currently I'm a huge Mac fan... but this gorgeous laptop makes me question my loyalty. This limited edition ASUS U6 Bamboo Series Notebook has an eco-friendly artisan grade Moso bamboo panel cover and palm rest, and a 12.1 inch wide WXGA LED backlight wide panel for lower power consumption, better luminance and high mobility. The touch pad also has bamboo fiber patterns on it, making it feel as though you're scrolling and pointing on a bamboo surface. ASUS SmartLogon intelligently recognizes its rightful owner and grants access with positive facial scan. An optical drive is included and you will be running on Windows Vista Business. Each laptop is a unique piece of art, each with its own natural bamboo pattern. I have not touched or test-driven one of these so check out the review by PC Magazine. And this luxurious technology will cost you about $2000.

While browsing through the ASUStek Computer website, I learned that laptop computers can meet the Energy Star requirements of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy as many of the ASUS models do. "If all computers sold in the United States meet the Energy Star requirements, the savings in energy costs will grow to about $2 billion each year and greenhouse gas emissions will be reduced by the equivalent of those from 2 million cars." (www.energystar.gov). Keep that in mind the next time you shop for a computer.

There are so many "green" products being produced now and many websites and blogs dedicated to promoting them. So I won't introduce you to every new product that is eco-friendly and good for the planet. But when good design benefits our planet, you'll likely see it here on Philanthropy A LA MODE.