Fashion For Haiti

In January 2010, the country of Haiti experienced a devastating earthquake and had its cities and population shattered. People had no food, clothes, homes, or even infrastructure; they had nothing left. The country was in absolute chaos and literally fallen to pieces. Among the several US and global organizations that sent rescue teams, food, clothing and money, the CDFA Fondation (Council of Fashion Designers of America) was one of them. Designers came together to design the following t-shirt and sell them for $25 a piece and donate all the net profits to the Clinton Bush Haiti Fund. To promote sales they also made a video shown here with top American designers and celebrities asking consumers to support the cause and buy a T-shirt. In this video, while the advertising is very direct and explicitly asks consumers to make a purchase, they have all come together for a bigger global cause and are asking individuals to join them and help heal Haiti.

There are many occasions in which the fashion industry uses its social prestige and celebrity connections to raise money for social causes. This campaign was launched in February and during the Fashion/Winter 2010 New York Fashion Week (which also takes place in February) you could see the shirt being proudly worn backstage, at events, shows, and everywhere through out the city. It was a very touching video, the shirt was carefully designed and the fashion industry really embraced this devastating social cause and helped raise money to restore Haiti. Designers and celebrities used their fame and social influence for a greater cause, inspiring many others to do the same.