By: ManhattanMataHari
There’s nothing quite like the guilt-free experience of shopping for a good cause. While many designers and companies have donated directly to organizations that help disaster relief in Japan, others are encouraging donations though consumerism.
Several designers and companies are holding special sales or designing limited edition apparel and accessories to benefit Japan and their recovery from the natural (and radioactive) disasters that occurred earlier this month.
Here is a brief overview of how your shopping dollars can be put to good use. After all it’s a win-win, right?
Fashion Girls For Japan
Saturday, April 2 – Sunday, April 3
11am to 5pm
The Bowery Terrace at the Bowery Hotel, 335 Bowery
Fashion girls grab your bags because more than 60 designers and companies have come together to create the ultimate fundraising shopping event. Product from Barney’s, VPL, and 3.1 Philip Lim, Alexander Wang, Yigal Azrouel, DVF, Jil Sander, and Proenza Schouler will all be discounted under one roof. Each designer has donated a rolling rack that will be discounted at least 50% off retail prices. All of the proceeds of the Fashion Girls for Japan benefit will be donated to the Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund.
There is likely to be a high turnout for the event, so it may be a good idea to go to go online www.fashiongirlsforjapan.com to buy the $5 admission ticket early for faster admission. Sample sales host, is Clothingline is managing the actual event, so don’t be surprised if there is a mandatory bag and coat check.
Online Shopping Relief
Several designers have committed to donating a portion of their online sales to Red Cross’s Japan Earthquake & Pacific Tsunami Fund. Rag & Bone, Diane von Furstenberg, Josie Natori and Rebecca Minkoff have all committed to taking their part in disaster relief.
Until April 11 Rag & Bone will give 10% of each sale and customers can receive free shopping on orders over $250. DVF will be donating 10% of sales until April 8 and Josie Natori has committed the same amount of online sales until the end of April. Rebecca Minkoff will be donating $100 from online sale of each RED handbag.
Bakes Sale for Japan
April 2
10am to 5pm
Brooklyn Flee Market, Japan NYC Booth
If shopping gets you hungry, you can snack guilt-free on April 2nd at the Bake Sale for Japan NYC booth at the Brooklyn Flea Market. A portion of the sales from your sugar rush will benefit the charity Peace Winds for Japan.
CFDA Fashion & Friends for Japan Online Charity Auction
Online auction begins April 5th
If you are truly looking for one-of-a-kind designer finds, The Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) is hosting the Fashion & Friends for Japan online charity auction. The auction items will go live on CharityBuzz.com starting April 5th and the proceeds will benefit the Japan Society. Apparently Steven Kolb, the executive director of the CFDA, personally wrote to designers requesting “very special experiences or over-the-top, one-of-a-kind items for the auction.”
We can’t wait to see what our favorite American designers come up with!
Jewelers for Japan
Saturday, April 9 to Sunday, April 10th
2pm to 6pm
ABC Carpet & Home, 888 Broadway New York, NY 10003
A number of Jewelry designers are coming together on April 9th and 10th to raise funds for Save the Children’s Japan Earthquake and Tsunami Relief at the Ring of Love benefit for Japan, at ABC Carpet and Home. Nearly 30 different jewelry designers have donated pieces to be sold at 25% to 50% off retail. Several designers even created unique charm pieces as part of the Wish for Japan Charm Project. At just $35 each these trinkets can turn into beautiful reminders of your support and generosity.
Charlotte Ronson Sample Sale
Wednesday, April 13 to Friday April 15
10am to 7pm
1071 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 301, between 40th and 41st Streets
Charlotte Ronson is doing her part for the Japan Society’s Earthquake Relief Fund by hosting a sample sale Wednesday, April 13th through Friday, April 15th. Merchandise will be discounted at up to 75% off retail prices, in addition to the sale of a specially created “Save Japan” t-shirt. All proceeds will donated to the Fund’s relief efforts.
Expect to find a printed chiffon pintuck dress for $80 from $295, a leather zipper platform shoe for $80 from $180 and a cew neck sweater for $60 from $180.
Designer T-Shirts
Both Anna Sui and Tory Burch have designed fashionable t-shirts to benefit Japan Disaster Relief. Anna’s “We’re All In This Together” shirts are just $20 and come in both black and lavender. Shipping is free but the stylish tees will not be shipped until April 15.
The Tory Burch version is a symbol “We Love Japan.” The price is $29 and 100% of the proceeds will be given to the American Red Cross.
Polo Ralph Lauren partnered with the United Way to create the chic Japan Hope Polo for both men and women. The polos range in price from $98 to $100, they come in three colors and 100% of the proceeds go toward Central Community Chest of Japan.
