Winnie Go, Nancy Gonzalez, ?

The designer has described her work as something all women can relate to. Gonzalez has said, “the spirit of my collection is joyful, benevolent, and instilled with strength.” Guests were given the opportunity to enjoy her one-of-a-kind handbags in a variety of styles and colors.

See Additional Event Images Below.

Models

Santiago Gonzalez, Esmeralda Azan

Model

Nancy Gonzalez, Jeanette Roach

Orisela Thomas, Sarah Caine

Atmosphere

Peggy Trethewey, George Gewargis

Nancy Gonzalez

Atmosphere

All photos courtesy of Drew Altizer.

Valentine’s Day was created out of love and compassion, so why not embody the spirit of the holiday by harboring love and compassion, not only for your lovers, friends, and family members, but for your fellow human being as well. You can use this day to be a holiday hero and help save a life, save a heart, and make someone less fortunate than you smile.

Everyone deserves to feel loved and appreciated, so go ahead and play a philanthropic Cupid and spread the love!

1. Donate Blood

Do you consider yourself a bleeding heart? If so, you should be a hero and donate your blood to the American Red Cross. Every second of every day someone needs blood. Did you know that each time you donate blood you save 3 lives? Take some time out of your schedule this Valentine’s Day for you and your sweetie to give up some blood to save 6 others. Check out Red Cross Blood to find a blood donation center close to you.

2. Give the Gift of Choice

Give a loved one a charity choice gift certificate. Charity Choice Donation allows recipients to choose a charity to which they would like their funds to go. The site hosts over 150 different charities, listed by category so benefactors can choose a cause that is important to them. Check it out at

3. Send Chocolates for a Cause

What would Valentine’s Day be without the exchange of chocolate? Show your friend, lover, and/or family member you love them by sending them a box of Full Circle Exchange Coffee and Chocolate and they will match Dollar 4 Dollar up to 1million to CARE. Through the “Name Your  Love, Share Your Love“ Valentine’s Day promotion, customers can create a  custom label for their box of chocolates and add a personalized note to those  they love. Each gift box will include a beautiful card highlighting CARE’s work  to empower girls and women all over the world to lift themselves and their  communities out of poverty.

4. This One Goes Out to the One I Love…Donate a Gift

Instead of giving gifts to the object of your affection, make each other heartfelt cards and donate a gift in their honor at Causecast, a website that allows you to put your money towards a project of your choosing. For $20 your Valentine can choose from different causes such as giving clean water to a person in a developing nation for 20 years, give 90-day support for a child with autism, 0r for $32 he or she can provide meal plans to 145 Cambodian children.

5. Host a Valentine’s Day Bake (for Ourselves) Sale

Remember in high school when you sold cupcakes and cookies to raise money for the Prom, well, this Valentine’s Day Gift is a gift in that spirit. Invite your girlfriends over for a baking party. Charge a small entrance fee and send the proceeds to your favorite charity and help bring an end to women suffering around the globe. The bonus with this idea is you will have plenty of yummy treats for you and your pals to indulge in.

1. Donate or shop at Old Navy: This Independence Day, over 1,000 Old Navy stores across the country will host a donation drive to collect items needed by servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan.  The store is specifically looking for donations of underwear, undershirts, t-shirts, socks, sunglasses, lip balm, foot powder, and flip flops.  In case you forget any of these items, the store will have a “Troop Essentials” section where items under $10 will be available to encourage shoppers to donate.  And customers who donate can look forward to a 10% discount off their entire purchase that day!  In the spirit of TOMS shoes, Old Navy will also be holding a “Buy One, Send One” campaign where they will send one of their famous flag tees or pairs of flip flops to troops overseas for every one you buy.  No longer does shopping have to be a guilty pleasure!

2. Send letters to soldiers: There are multiple websites dedicated to helping grateful citizens show their thanks to American soldiers through old-fashioned snail mail and care packages. For some soldiers who do not have contact with their families, this might be their only connection to home. If you’re feeling especially philanthropic, send them a care package that may include American amenities they can’t find overseas. Even a simple thank-you note may mean the world to someone. Organizations like Any Soldier, Letters to Soldiers, and A Million Thanks offer helpful instructions and suggestions for sending letters and packages. And remember, any day is an opportunity to thank a solider, not just the fourth of July!

3. Help the Gulf: What could be more patriotic than helping your country in a crisis? The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has changed the lives of Americans across the country, especially those in the Gulf region. And while many people want to help, sometimes they don’t know where to start. If you live near the Gulf, consider volunteering with legitimate organizations that provide needed training to volunteers, like Louisiana Gulf Response, the National Audubon Society, Oiled Wildlife Care Network, and the Sierra Club. Even if you live thousands of miles from the Gulf, you can still have a major impact by financially supporting the cleanup efforts. Check out the National Audubon Society, the Greater New Orleans Foundation, the National Wildlife Federation (or text “NWF” to 20222 to donate $10), the Nature Conservancy (or text “coast” to 50555 to donate $10), and United Way (or text “united” to 50555 to donate $10). Finally, use your voice to stand against more offshore drilling. You can write to elected officials or even simply spread awareness through social media tools like Facebook and Twitter. Signing petitions, like those from Oceana, the Sierra Club, and Greenpeace, is also way to stand together with millions of other Americans against future disasters.

4. Attend or plan a philanthropic event: Independence Day means barbecues, fireworks, and celebrating our country’s rich history. But one of its staples is also a spirit of charity. Look around your hometown for opportunities to donate and have fun at the same time! Parades, fireworks shows, and pancake breakfasts often offer the opportunity to donate to a deserving local cause. Or if you can’t find anything in your area, consider hosting your own event. It could be as simple as barbecuing in your backyard and asking each guest to donate $5 to the charity of your choice. In this way, you can combine two of this holiday’s major aspects: fun and philanthropy!

5. Enjoy yourself!: Sometimes, one of the best ways to give back is taking time for yourself. Sleep in, barbecue, spend time with loved ones, and watch fireworks. Celebrate the freedom we have in the United States and the blessings in your own life. So bake cookies for a veteran, go on a family hike, or enjoy a cheesy parade in your local town. Whatever you do, enjoy yourself, love your family and friends, and celebrate your country.

Beginning with the farmers and ending with the final package arriving at your door, PACT strives to be as environmentally and socially responsible as possible. Their supply chain looks at the life cycle of the product from creation to distribution and all that goes in between such as the cotton, inks and dyes, transportation and packaging. Although PACT’s underwear is sustainable, it comes in more colors than green. These guys love color, they believe that ‘organic clothing doesn’t have to be that drab oatmeal color’. In addition to creating a sustainable product they donate 10% of the proceeds to non-profit partners such as The Green Belt Movement, ForestEthics, 826 National, Oceana, and Global Green USA. When you purchase PACT underwear, you are supporting and encouraging organic cotton farmers, responsible labor practices, and businesses that form partnerships with nonprofit organizations dedicated to positive change in our world.

Vivanista had the opportunity to ask founders Jason and Jeff a few questions about how they got started and what imPACT they are trying to make with Underwear.

What was the catalyst for starting PACT?

Jason: Jeff and I went to grad school together at Berkeley, and it was actually a longstanding goal of mine to start a company whose foundation was built on sustainability and giving money back to organizations.

Jeff: And I wanted to build a socially responsible and sustainable underwear brand. We wound up marrying the two ideas in hopes that we could make something universal.

Jason: Underwear is a 365-day item, and after a lot of research we became convinced there was demand for a stylish and sustainable underwear brand. Nothing on the market at that time met the needs of consumers. When we met Yves [Behar] and he told us that he wanted to design our underwear, we knew we had to drop everything and start looking for money to fund what ultimately would become PACT.

Explain your philosophy “CHANGE STARTS WITH UNDERWEAR.”

Jason: Change starts at home. Changing the way you live and choosing to be more mindful in your life is a very personal decision. And the most personal change starts with your underwear. It’s a starting point to your day.

What imPACT do you wish to make/reduce with your products?

Jeff: Before we design a new print, we choose a target non-profit to receive 10% of the proceeds from sales of that print. We have worked with some truly amazing organizations — 826 National, Forest Ethics, Oceana, Global Green USA, and we most recently partnered with the Green Belt Movement. Once we’ve selected our non-profit partner for a campaign, we get to work on selecting an artist or designer whose vision matches up with the spirit of that organization.

Jason: From an impact reduction standpoint, our prints are created entirely within a 100-mile supply chain in Turkey. We use the excess fabric scraps to create a pouch to hold each pair in, and when someone places an order, they’re shipped in a compostable bag. We also include information about the factory our underwear is processed in on the label of each print, and explain details on the entire manufacturing process on our website. Our goal is first and foremost to give back, but in doing so we aim to be 100% transparent in what we’re making.

How do you select your beneficiary partners?

Jason: We try to be as diverse as possible in our choices, but ultimately they are all causes that excite us.

How do you empower others?

Jason: We’re excited to give people a lot of reasons to feel good about buying a pair of PACT underwear. On a very surface level, we’re proud of the product. They’re designed for comfort, made of organic cotton and the designs are really eye-catching. But beyond that, we want our customers to feel that the choices they make in purchasing something can matter in a real, measurable way. Knowing that a percentage of the money you’ve spent will be given directly to this cool non-profit that’s working to protect our oceans or provide writing workshops for schoolchildren should make most people feel pretty good.

Jeff: And by sharing the information we do on our manufacturing process and our supply chain, it gets consumers thinking about everything they buy. If consumers really want to be privy to that information, corporations will eventually be expected to deliver it. We’re not looking to expose any ugly truths about anyone’s manufacturing methods, but we would love to help push it to the point where that information is important enough to share.

Where do you see PACT in five years?

Jason: We would certainly be thrilled if we felt that consumers on the whole had access to information on the manufacturing process and supply chain of the majority of products in the marketplace, and to feel that we were a part of that change in how we consume as a culture and as a people.

Can you share one fun fact about your organization?

We sing in our office. A lot.

What are three words that best describe PACT?

Beautiful, gives back

Which design/fit is your favorite?

Jason Kibbey, co-Founder: Oceana Wave Solid Boxer Brief

Jeff Denby, co-Founder: Pink Polkadot Boxer Brief

Gunther Lie, Director of Marketing: Greenbelt Movement Boxer Brief.

Molly Doctors, Production Manager: Polkadot Boy Shorts

About PACT

PACT is the brainchild of two unlikely business partners who joined forces in the most unlikely of places.

Jason Kibbey is a born-and-raised Berkeley leftie who started his own land conservation nonprofit, drives a Prius, and loves his bike(s). He also likes business: he helped start a few, and oddly began his career at Bain & Company. His wife sings opera; they don’t own a television; and his dog gets acupuncture.

Jeff Denby, on the other hand, was told that he was “too artsy for business school” when he showed up with multi-colored hair. A Facebook, texting, and Twitter addict who personifies young, fabulous, and broke, this wayward Canadian has shopped his way around the world. He definitely owns a television.

[Photos from PACT]

This year, the “Rolls Royce of garage sales,” as it’s known—the event features merchandise from over two hundred prominent fashion designers, including Donna Karan, Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Theory, and Diane von Furstenberg—takes place July 26; those who can’t attend the event in person can participate in the shopping for a cause through the QVC. Super Saturday was co-founded and has been underwritten every year by Donna Karan who, along with Charla Lawhon, Managing Editor of In Style magazine, and Kelly Ripa, will host the event in Water Mill, New York. Last year’s event raised over $3 million.

Vivanista wanted to find out, where does all that money go?

The OCRF, founded in 1998, is the nation’s largest nonprofit entity focused exclusively on funding research about ovarian cancer (most of the rest of the funding for research about this disease comes from the Cancer Research Institute and the U.S. Department of Defense). The monies raised by Super Saturday primarily become grants for research, both for younger researchers as well as senior investigators. “We support a range of researchers,” says Sarah DeFeo, the OCRF’s director of grants and programs. Since its inception, OCRF has given away 147 grants totalling $33 million. A small percentage of that funding is used for education and awareness. According to DeFeo, this is a relatively nascent field of research primarily because ovarian cancer is a relatively rare disease when compared to breast, prostate, and lung cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, in 2009, there were 21,550 new cases of ovarian cancer reported in the U.S., and 14,600 deaths equating to a 32% survival rate.  By comparison, last year in the U.S. there were 194,2800 new cases of breast cancer, and 40,610 deaths equaling a 79% survival rate.

It is, however, also a very tough cancer to overcome.  “It’s very appealing to researchers,” states DeFeo, “because there’s so much to do and because it’s so deadly.”

Because research is in the early stages, much is focused on learning about the disease—doctors still don’t know where it originates—and creating methods of early detection. “There currently are no means of detecting this disease early on, like a PAP smear does for cervical cancer or a mammogram does for breast cancer,” DeFeo states. “That’s one of the reasons it’s so severe; it only gets diagnosed in the late stages.”

DeFeo shared some of the exciting and very promising results OCRF–supported entities are achieving. In the area of early detection, one OCRF–sponsored researcher has discovered that small sugar molecules in the blood called glycans appear to distinguish between healthy women and those with ovarian cancer. A pilot test has shown that results using this method are superior to the current standard, indicating that we now have the potential for a diagnostic test based on a different biologic process than the current biomarkers used for ovarian cancer.

In the realm of increasing the ability to identify high-risk women, a group of OCRF–supported researchers have identified a new genetic abnormality that may significantly increase a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer; up to 15 percent of women may carry the flaw.

Additional researchers supported by OCRF are finding ways of understanding the underlying genetics and molecular biology of ovarian cancer (evidence suggests that most serious tumors designated “ovarian” may actually originate from the end of the fallopian tube), and one team is identifying new, better targets for treatment. Another investigator is focusing on how to boost a woman’s immune response with injections of immune cells engineered with modified T-Cell receptors so it can better fight ovarian cancer. And one researcher—because of his exploration into how and why ovarian cancer spreads, and how to stop it—was able to convince a pharmaceutical company to test a drug for ovarian cancer that was previously being developed only for colon and lung cancer.

DeFeo notes that the most critical aspect of making headway in treating ovarian cancer is continued support. “This is incremental research that takes years,” she says. “It’s a sustained effort.”

What better incentive does any woman need to sustain her love of fashion and get out there and shop!

Purchase your tickets to Super Saturday.

Find our more about the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund.

New Edgewood Auxiliary members enjoyed this year's Fair

The Event: Edgewood Auxiliary 44th Annual Edgewood Fair

The Theme: Rock the Casbah

The Location: Presidio Golden Gate Club

The Co-Chairs: Sarah Moody and Janet Lautenberger

The format:
- Evening Gala with VIP reception, gourmet food and drinks, Silent Auction, belly dancers and henna tattoos
- Luncheon featuring Guest Speaker, Christine Carter, Executive Director of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center
- Shopping bazaar both days featuring more than 50 unique vendors from around the country

Click here to learn more about the Edgewood Center for Children and Families.

Photos courtesy of Drew Altizer Photography.

VivaSwap is a fashionable fundraiser that allows women to donate their gently-worn designer gowns and dresses to be resold to benefit charity.

Instead of buying an expensive gown or cocktail dress, VivaSwap attendees can pick up beautiful items that deserve to be worn again.  Buyers are encouraged to donate the money they saved to their favorite charity.

Looking great and doing good?  What’s not to love?

HOW IT WORKS

• Gowns and dresses are collected the weeks and months prior to the event
• A venue is selected which should include enough space for a large communal dressing room
• A Preview Shopping Party occurs the eve before the shopping day for VIP ticketholders and dress donors
• The next day anyone can shop for a nominally-priced ticket
• Items that do not sell
  • Can be given away to an applicable charity such as Princess Project
  • Can be archived for the next event

REVENUE

Ticket sales:

• Regular priced ticket: $20
• VIP Preview ticket: $100
• If someone donates a gown worth more than $1,000 they receive 2 tickets to the VIP Preview

Sale of dresses:

• Recommend no more than 10% of original purchase price
• Dependent on condition but less than 10% if it has been worn

Additional revenue opportunities:

• Raffle:
  • A local or national celebrity may donate a special dress
  • A local boutique or department store may give a shopping spree
  • A salon could provide a make-over for the winner’s next big event
  • Boutique selling jewelry and/or accessories
    • Easy to accessories on the spot with a percentage being donated
  • Designer donations
    • Fashion designers may wish to donate a selection of their clothes to build awareness

DETAILS

Audience: Women

Volunteers: Minimal

• Inventory outreach and collection: 3 – 4
• VIP Event planning: 1 – 2
• Promotion: 1
• On-site volunteers: dependent on # of expected attendees
  • Security: 2
  • Check-out: 3
  • Restocking: 2
  • Clean-up: 4

Estimated Profit: $5,000+

• Clothing sales: 50 items sold at $100 = $5,000
• Ticket sales: 100 attendees at $20/each = $2,000
• Accessories sales: 50 items sold at $50 x 20% donation = $250

Major Costs: Venue, catering, display merchandising

Level of effort: Moderate

Planning Cycle: 3 – 6 months

Resources:

• Racks & hangers: www.displaywarehouse.com

HOW VIVANISTA CAN HELP

Download for Free

• Budget template
• Committee formation tips
• Timeline
• Solicitation letter to prospective donors
• Invitation letter to boutiques to sell accessories
• Event invitation
• Final Report

Premium Program: Vivanista provides event management for a fee

• Pre-event
  • Creative direction
  • Credit card processing set-up
  • Database design for inventory control
  • Ordering of merchandising components i.e. racks, etc.
  • Marketing including graphic design, and social media marketing
  • Interface with volunteer committee
  • On-site event
    • Oversee event volunteers
    • Manage logistics
    • Coordinate disposition of inventory at the end of the event
  • Post-event
    • Final Report
    • Revenue reconciliation
  • Cost: Depends on scope of work and timeframe.  Minimum of $5,000 + expenses.

SUMMARY

VivaSwap is a low-overhead fundraiser that has potential to become an annual event that is fun and effective.



And of course, best of all, is shedding the heavy layers of winter clothing. When I slip into that first spring dress and sling on a pair of heeled sandals, I immediately feel transformed within and without and my spirits soar. As I said, I have a very serious crush on spring!

I’m happy to report that April is shaping up in the stores with many fresh-looking spring and summer collections and they’re all about color and femininity.

Now You See It, Now You Don’t
Almost weightless, transparent fabrics are being worn in layers with visible lingerie underneath. It is a misconception to believe that layers are only applicable during the fall and winter months. On the contrary, fashion has given us many ways to overlay our apparel at any time of the year. How often do we complain of freezing from the air conditioning blowing on our shoulders inside only to be hit by a blast of warm air and bright sunshine when we go outside? Isn’t this then the perfect time to layer ourselves with lightweight scarves, vests and cropped jackets?

Just as designers turned their spring/summer shows into playful fairytales we should do the same with our wardrobes. Spring is a time to be lighthearted and have fun! I urge you to play with the many hues of blue, tribal fabrics, bangles and bracelets and heeled sandals.
Blue, inspired by sky and water is this season’s most important color. Just a single item will suffice to update previous seasons’ outfits.

In the Nude
Pastels are all on this spring’s color chart as well. Barely-there tones were very present on the red carpets and runways. Be warned though–those light shades are not for everyone as they may not enhance your skin tone. If that is the case for you, avoid the washed-out look by choosing to wear nude accessories instead. Nude shoes in particular are fantastic, as they help elongate the leg beautifully.

Surfing Safari
In Paris, one color that invaded the ‘festival’ collections was khaki. This new trend was presented more like the new ‘black’ as seen in this Celine dress that is so urban and chic at the same time.

Rings of Fire
For centuries, in many cultures, bangles have been worn to define the wearer’s social status. In our society, bangles are a fun fashion accessory only. However, they can add stylish pizazz to your look. Wrap your wrist with a dazzling cuff, or go for the eclectic and arm your forearms with colorful bangles and bracelets. Mix them all together, from skinny to wide.

Forever in Blue Jeans
I love/hate them. It saddens me that they are worn all the time and at every occasion by young and not-so-young people alike–with tears and holes, discolorations in the wrong spots and details in the wrong areas. And what’s up with the back pockets? They’re now placed so low on the butt that no matter how great one’s butt is, it looks as if it’s sagging! Worst of all for me, is the denim-on-denim look. However, I must be fair and tell you that an allover denim look is in this spring, but I still hate it. There! I’ve said it.
I much prefer Stella McCartney’s overall dress that can be worn with colorful heels or gladiator sandals, with or without a tee underneath. (Layers again.)

Treasure Chest
It must be worn plongeant (plunging), preferably in a V shape that elongates all silhouettes. Beware of a décolleté plongeant with a mini-skirt, as it could easily look vulgar! Please avoid!

Down Under
Lingerie – ah yes, this is sure to please our Monsieur friends! Lingerie is no longer worn as undergarments only. I strongly discourage creating a total lingerie look. This very feminine tendance should be worn in a sensual manner, just enough to wake up the opposite sex’s attention, and not be a spectacle. Think more of pairing opposites such as a bustier under a boyfriend double-breast blazer, a jupon (slip or petticoat) with an army style jacket.

Perfect pieces have infinite possibilities. A common misconception in figuring out one’s outfit is to think that we have to look like the model on a magazine cover. Wrong! Don’t forget that trends can be used to inspire your style. They’re not intended to be mimicked.

I wish you all a joyous, lighthearted spring!

A la prochaine!

Michèle

[Photo from Flickr by Mickael Casol]

We have a tradition in our family. We go to a movie every day during the holiday season from December 25th right through to New Year’s Day. It’s a fun tradition that I always look forward to.

Last December, one of my favorite movies was “Up in the Air.” George Clooney plays the main character, an executive, who travels around the country to fire people. He has no life to speak of. He carries all he needs in one wheel-away suitcase.

This movie provided an ah-ha moment for me. What if I were to empty my dressing room and throw all my clothes–accessories, coats et al– on my bed and contemplate their value? The first thing question that came to mind was, ‘do I really need all these clothes?’ Looking at the pile, I could not help but wonder how much money I’d spent for each item. Was it worth it? Was it a good investment? I started to add the numbers in my mind. Oh boy! How many hours had I worked to pay for all that? Scary? You bet!

I decided to create a spreadsheet and to calculate an approximate cost-per-wear (CPW) for each item. It gave me a good idea of how skilled I am at investing in clothes.

For those of you who are not familiar with CPW, it’s a concept that rationalizes the expense of a garment by dividing each time you wear it into the original cost. Cost-per-wear means spending money on a piece of clothing that you will wear continually, making it a good investment. The more you wear it, the better the returns on your initial purchase. It does not matter whether the item is an expensive pair of Christian Louboutin shoes or an H&M skirt or, whether you spent $2,000 or $100 on an item, just as long as you get your money’s worth.

According to some of my colleagues, the ideal CPW should be $2. I disagree with that number. Achieving that goal poses a real challenge for those who have ‘a closet full of clothes and nothing to wear’ don’t you think?

In my opinion, the CPW should certainly not exceed your hourly income. By the way, this applies for your lunches too. Have you ever calculated how much you have to work just to buy your daily lunch?

The worst CPW comes with items that result from impulse shopping. It’s been a long time since I’ve shopped during a moment of weakness without any plan in mind. But believe me, I can attest that the very worst CPW results from those spontaneous purchases.

I am pleased to report that my average CPW on my entire wardrobe is less than $5.00.

Now, I challenge you to examine YOUR pile of clothes. Which items were your best investments? (Please comment below)

Raise money for Haiti now and own a piece of fashion history from Diane Von Furstenberg, Versace, and more…

The Cause: NET-A-PORTER.com has partnered with Naomi Campbell’s Fashion For Relief™ 2010 ‘Superstars Walk The Runway’ to help raise much needed funds for mothers and babies in Haiti.

For two weeks only, clothes from the New York and London Fashion For Relief™ shows, as worn by Agyness Deyn, Karen Elson, and Naomi Campbell, will be available for purchase at NET-A-PORTER with all net proceeds going to The White Ribbon Alliance. Don’t miss glamorous designer pieces donated by some of the world’s leading designers included Chloe and Matthew Williamson.

The White Ribbon Alliance is an international coalition bound together by a common goal: to ensure that pregnancy and childbirth are safe for all women and newborns in every country around the world.

SHOP AND SUPPORT FASHION FOR RELIEF™ NOW