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Graff Diamonds Leads Effort to Raise Money for Africa's Children

Filed under: Auctions, Art, Charity

damien hirstDamien Hirst is again playing the role of philanthropist (so I have to be nice), along with Raqib Shaw and Marc Quinn. The artists have donated paintings to an auction that London jeweler Laurence Graff is holding for FACET (For Africa's Children Every Time). Graff wants to raise $1.26 million for the organization, which seeks to support the education, health and quality of life of children in Africa ... where Graff Diamonds picks up most of its raw material.

Graff's event follows several other charity auctions this year, all of which were pretty impressive in their results. Sotheby's raised ₤453,950 for two organizations that help orphans in Africa, and Christie's raised an astounding €342.5 million at its Yves Saint Laurent collection auction back in February – the money will be used to fund HIV research and fight the spread of AIDS.

The first lot donated was by Graff himself: diamond earrings estimated to be worth around ₤80,000. The other paintings (e.g., by Hirst) are pegged at around ₤100,000 each.

One-of-a-Kind Fiat 500C by Diesel to be Auctioned at Cannes AIDS Fundraiser

Filed under: Wheels, Charity



Special-edition premium retro hatchbacks seem to be all the rage at AIDS fundraisers these days. Every year Mini teams up with a different designer for a one-off vehicle donated to the LifeBall event. Diesel lent a hand one year, but this year the Italian jeanswear house has teamed up with Fiat and the Cinema Against AIDS Gala to produce the one-of-a-kind 500C you see here. Like the fixed-roof Diesel edition Fiat 500, this special example features a unique metallic green paintjob, a denim-upholstered interior and plenty of Diesel logos, but upgrades with a cloth folding roof and a 100-horsepower engine in the place of the 75hp unit on the regularly available fixed-roof version. Just one example of the special-edition Fiat 500C by Diesel will be made, joining big names like Sharon Stone, Harvey Weinstein, Annie Lennox and former U.S. President Bill Clinton in helping the American Foundation for AIDS Research break last year's record $7 million raised at the gala held in conjunction with the Cannes Film Festival later this month.

Nelson Mandela's 46664 Foundation, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity, Charity of the Day

The 46664 Foundation, named after the number former South African President Nelson Mandela wore while imprisoned for 27 tears, aims to raise awareness and to educate people about the global HIV/AIDS crisis. The campaign began in 2003, when Mandela realized that to reach the youth of the world he needed to engage the support of the people who most appeal to them. Mandela, supported by Dave Stewart of Eurythmics, Brian May and Roger Taylor of Queen, and Bono (natch), persuaded more than 30 of the world's top artists to come together to perform at a global awareness concert for HIV/AIDS in Cape Town.

Mandela will be 90 this year, and to celebrate, as well as to raise funds for 46664, there will be a global launch of limited-edition 46664 wrist bangles during the birthday celebrations in London on June 27. The goal is to create jobs as well as bring at least R1-billion (R=South African Rand, equal to $0.12587 on June 23) to the fight against HIV/Aids. Offered will be 90 platinum bangles (at the cost of R135 660 each), 90 24-carat gold bangles (R67 260), 466 18-carat gold bangles (R54 948) and 46,664 silver bangles (R1 995). The initiative will be a South African effort using metals from local suppliers, the skills of local craftsman and domestic suppliers from the tooling, machining and packaging industries. At least 60 percent of revenues from the sale of bangles will go to the 46664 HIV/Aids prevention campaign.

You can donate directly to 46664 here.

amfAR, Charity of the Day!

Filed under: Auctions, Charity, Charity of the Day, Big Givers

Last week's star studded charity auction and dinner event at Cannes, raked in a whopping $10 million for amfAR, a leading AIDS research organization. Founded in 1985, amfAR is dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through continued innovative research. Tickets to attend the bash went for $5,000 a person and accounted for a good portion of the evenings earnings. Celebrities in attendance included Madonna who donated her purse complete with it's contents to the evenings auction...it went for a staggering $1.5 million! It's nice to see people coming together with such a successful outcome, $10 million is quite an accomplishment for one evening!

Keep a Child Alive, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Charity of the Day


AIDS is officially 25 years old and sadly in many ways it's as strong and as deadly as ever. In certain parts of South Africa as much as 41% of the population is afflicted with AIDS, and worldwide 90% of the people who have it don't know it. Ignorance is one of the biggest hurdles in treating and controlling the spread of AIDS, and Keep a Child Alive is an organization focused on helping with both education, treatment, and prevention of this devastating disease -- not to mention support of the children left in its wake.

To date over 15 million children have lost one or both parents to the AIDS pandemic, and for just $1 a day you can buy the drugs needed to keep a child alive.

Just in Time for Valentines: The Mulberry Roxanne Bag from Gap

Filed under: Handbags, Charity


Previously released this past December in the UK and Paris, a newly redesigned version of Mulberry's Roxanne bag is now being launched here in the U.S., just in time for Valentine's Day. The result of a collaboration between the Mulberry brand and fashion stylist Katie Grand, the Mulberry Roxanne bag is part of Gap's (PRODUCT) RED (TM) line and is made of sweatshirt jersey in either red or gray. What better gift this season of love than a beautiful red bag that sends 50% of its profits towards to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa?

Want one this Valentine's Day? Well you'll need to head to New York, as the bag is available now but is being sold exclusively at the NYC Gap store located at 680 5th Ave at 54th St.

UNICEF, Charity of the Day

Filed under: Timepieces, Auctions, Charity of the Day

UNICEF is a well-known charitable organization that promotes the health and well-being of children with HIV and AIDS. And this season fashion house Moschino has collaborated with UNICEF and come up with a beautiful way to raise funds: The Love Clock.

It's a clear plexiglass "doll" with a bright red heart in the center where the clock hands are centered, and the design is the result of 70 Italian artists and designers gathering together in collaboration. The clock will go up for auction on December 18th at Sothebys and all proceeds will go to benefit UNICEF.

If you can't make the auction (or if you make it there but you lose the bidding) and you still want to support UNICEF you can do it any number of ways -- including through these darling seasonal cards.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe Sells For $1.6 Million

Filed under: Wheels


When I read about some of these auctions I get so envious! How fun would it be to go to one of these events with a flag or paddle to wave around and practically unlimited funds to play with! Case in point, at a recent charity auction to raise money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe sold for $1.6 million. Not that it's not a great car, but it's since the actual value is estimated between $400,000 and $500,000 that's a pretty big jump for charity. And these Phantom Drophead Coupes are making of habit of selling high -- back in January a couple got $2 million for theirs at the Winter Wine Festival. I guess if you gotta have one then you gotta have one!

Gap Gets Inspi(Red)

Filed under: Apparel, Charity

We've mentioned (Red), a charitable effort designed to raise money for the Global Fund to support HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention in Africa, before when we took a look at an Armani watch that supported the cause. But there are a number of other companies and organizations involved and I popped into the Gap this week to take a look at what their (Red) collection. Everything actually looked very nice and it's hard to argue when 50% of the profits are going to such a worthwhile cause. My favorite item was the (PRODUCT)RED cashmere hoodie. Made of 100% cashmere, the slightly oversized hoodie was very plush and had a flattering cut, with contrasting topstiching and exposed seams. It comes in three colors, gray (pictured), cinnabar red (my favorite) and white. Price: $245.

Isibindi Medallion To Help South Africa

Filed under: Jewelry, Charity

Mia & Kompany, a trendy jewelry company in Los Angeles is joining the ranks of companies helping to raise awareness and funds for Africa. Their new Isibindi Diamond Medallion Collection benefits South African orphans whose parents have died or are dying of AIDS. The round medallions are engraved on with the words Isibindi (the name of the project in South Africa) and Dapperheid, which both mean "courage." The collection includes 14-karat gold or sterling silver pieces ranging in price from $195 to $1,540 and can be found at Kitson.

Armani Inspi(Red) Watch

Filed under: Timepieces, Charity

(Red) is a charitable effort that is designed to raise money for the Global Fund to support HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, especially in underfunded and underprivileged areas of the world. Armani is one of the designers participating in the program and his newest addition to the Armani Red line is an Inspi(Red) Watch. The watch has a 43mm stainless steel case with a coin-raised bezel and a leather strap. The strap is available in either black with red contrast stitching or red with black (pictured). It is a unisex timepiece and has an extra-large numerical display for easy readability. It is available in all Armani stores and the retail price should be $225.

Bono, Armani and Others Join Forces For New Charity Venture

The Associated Press reports that Bono announced a new program to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa. Products under the Red brand will divert some revenue to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. So far American Express, Converse, Gap and Giorgio Armani have jumped on the Red bandwagon. The red American Express card will launch in Britain next month. Some of the products will be produced in Africa with African materials. It is hoped that the new initiative will raise millions of dollars for the Global Fund.


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