Top 2012 Fashion and Beauty Brands that Give Back

MY TOP BEAUTY BRAND FOR 2012: (Plā) Beauty

 

(Plā) Beauty founder, Stephanie Green-Bass, inspired by the infinite power of makeup, combined her love of cosmetics and years of industry experience with her lifelong passion to make a difference in the life of a child.  Her company’s tagline is (Plā) Beauty | (Plā) in Life | (Plā) with a Purpose sums up (Plā) Beauty’s social mission. With a strong desire to inspire women and support children, Stephanie created several giving back campaigns.

(Plā) Beauty gives back campaigns include: 

(Plā)2GiveBackis a campaign to empower and recognize truly inspiring women. We all know an amazing woman who has faced adversity, overcome obstacles, and become stronger through her pain. Founder, CEO, and MOM, Stephanie Green Bass has been an amazing role model in using that pain to overcome tough life challenges. Her story has touched the lives and hearts of so many, and we know there are many more like her. (Plā)2GiveBack is our way to hear more about these women, learn from their experiences, and honor them.  

This campaign invited women to submit a brief video sharing their story of a woman who inspired them because she faced adversity, overcome obstacles, and become stronger through her pain. Then an independently formed Board of women and Stephanie selected 15 finalists who would receive a (Plā)DAY of makeover.  Then, one woman among the 15 was given the experience of a lifetime to be the FACE of (Plā) Beauty FALL 2012!!  

All women nominated received a gift from (Plā) Beauty are periodically their stories are shared on the (Plā)2GiveBack page on their website

(Plā)2GiveBack–THE BALM: This campaign gives back to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Under this campaign, (Plā) Beauty donates $2 for every unit sold to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Hughes Spalding. To learn more about why this campaign is so close to Stephanie Green Bass’s heart click here.

THE BALM is an organic, beeswax lip balm has a smooth, healing texture that contains calendula and sunflower oil to soften those (Plā)ful lips. THE BALM is perfect to fight wintery, dry, chapped lips! • SPF 15-fortified, • Vitamin E-enriched, • Moisture-enhancing organic oils, including rosemary, sunflower, jojoba, orange and lime.

(Plā) Green:  In addition to (Plā) Beauty giving back campaigns, the company is also eco-friendly. “(Plā) Beauty is established as an eco-conscious cosmetic line that uses refillable products and magnetic compacts to cut down on wasteful packaging. Our approach to packaging helps keep the environment clean and healthy by reducing waste. We can be kind to the planet while still looking and feeling great.” 

Like (Plā)2GiveBack and Like (Plā) Beauty on Facebook

www.plabeauty.com 

Copy Source: www.plabeauty.com

MY TOP FASHION BRAND FOR 2012: Rachel Roy

 

In her own words, “I believe charity = clarity. Through giving back you gain clarity, peacefulness, happiness and balance in your own life”, fashion designer Rachel Roy has built her brand proving that fashion philanthropy is stylish. Rachel Roy’s brand philanthropy message is clear and strong. Through all her campaigns, she assists children and disaster relief and recovery efforts. 

Her initiatives include:  

Heart of Haiti:In the aftermath of the 2010 Haitian earthquakes, Rachel created an opportunity for Haitian artisans to use their talents to make jewelry and other crafts that are brought back to the U.S. and support the earthquake recovery efforts in Haiti. Learn more about Rachel's Haiti efforts here

 

Orphan Aid Africa:Rachel has partnered with Orphan Aid Africa whose mission is “work to keep families together, send children to school, keep mothers alive and protect children by transforming systems.“ Rachel’s programs help children in Ghana to grow up safe with care and protection.  She does this through various campaigns. She sponsors 21 children in Ghana. In addition, each Holiday season, Rachel and her team hold a book drive and they package and wrap the books for children in Ghana. Lastly, Rachel designed her limited edition Ghana Clutch that supports Orphan Aid Africa children programs. Read more about this effort here

 

Charity:Water  On her 36th birthday, Rachel launched her own charity:water campaign, asking family, friends and fans to help raise $15,000 that went toward building a well to provide clean water in the Kuya Village of Ethiopia.  

Kindness:  Rachel designed Kindness totes and clutches to provide support for children organizations and relief for victims of natural disasters.  100% of net proceeds of the totes go to support: UNICEF for assistance with Pakistan flood victims and recover efforts, GlobalGiving for Japan’s earthquake victims and the Ghana clutch for Orphan Aid Africa.

Lastly, Rachel stepped up to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. She joined the Fashion for Sandy Relief auctioning off a “Meet Rachel Roy experience, complete with a personal styling.” She also donated a percentage of Rachel Ray merchandise proceeds to the American Red Cross. Furthermore, Rachel created a Hurricane Sandy page on her website to direct customers to various organizations supporting victims of the disaster.

 

Like Rachel Roy on Facebook
www.rachelroy.com

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Elie Tahari, partnership with Action Against Hunger

Bono, founder of Edun fashion company and  Renzo Rosso founder of Deisel designs partner for Edun+Deisel to source, produce and generate sustainable trade — and, hence, development — in Africa.

Skinny Girl Cocktails partners with Dress for Success

 

You Buy One, Two Cosmetics Gives One

You Buy One, Two Cosmetics Gives One

One brand, two sisters, giving back with their new campaign, 'You Buy One, Two Cosmetics Gives One.'

Campaign benefits Dress for Success in San Jose, California.

Visit Two Cosmetics to make a difference.


Nice job Jacqueline and Joanna!

My First QR Coded Cause Marketing Campaign

Hold On! It's not a fashion or beauty brand cause marketing campaign! But it is my first cause marketing campaign that incoporates a QR Code.

Earlier this Fall, I was contacted by the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless, Inc. They were approached by Hodges Management Company who own our regional KFCs, KFC/TacoBells and DQ Grill & Chills and wanted to do something to support homelessness this Holiday in our community. To have a corporate partner reach out to help a cause is awesome. So, I stepped up to create a campaign that I am hopefull will be a success for the cause. The campaign title is:

Dishing Out Meals Campaign: Fighting to End Homelessness and Hunger in Our Community

Above is the in-store pin-up that customers can donate $1 at check-out to the cause. These are typically taped to walls or windows in the store. In addition, I incorporated a register flyer that is posted to the back of all registers for customers to read while waiting in line. On this flyer is a QR Code that can be scanned with a customer's smart phone and directs them to the Homeless Authority's website where they can learn more and make a direct donation. Here is the register flyer to the left.

We also created a value card (3x5) with the same information as the register flyer and QR Code. The value card gets put in all drive-thru bags and placed on all in-store customer trays. Since regular pin-ups are not condusive to drive-thru's, we wanted to still create customer awareness about the cause and give them the opportunity to donate using the QR code.

I am in deep gratitude to Chris Italiano of Chris Italiano Creative for his superior graphic art talent and dedication to the campaign.

About the Campaign:
Local KFCs, KFC/Taco Bells and DQ Grill & Chills have launched their “Dishing Out Meals: Fighting Homelessness and Hunger in Our Community” campaign this holiday season. Twenty-one KFCs and KFC/TacoBells, and three DQ Grill & Chills, owned by Hodges Management Company, partnered with the Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless, Inc., a local nonprofit, to raise funds and awareness to help end homelessness and hunger in Savannah and surrounding communities. The campaign launched today and runs through December 31, 2011.

To help generate awareness, Savannah’s KFCs, KFC/Taco Bells and DQ Grill & Chills have taken an unprecedented step in changing the way cause marketing campaigns are done. They will not only promote the campaign with its in-store pin-ups which customers can donate $1 to the cause at check out, but the campaign incorporates a QR Code on value sheets that get tucked in all drive-thru bags and in-store store customer trays. The QR Code, when scanned with customer smart phones, takes them directly to the Homeless Authority website for more information or to make a donation. QR Codes are new to how fundraising is done. The Homeless Authority is a nonprofit organization that coordinates Savannah’s response to homelessness. Homelessness does not discriminate. Families with children, teenagers, single adults, victims of domestic violence, veterans and elderly individuals of all races and walks of life can be found struggling with the devastating effects of homeless.

Hodges Management Company is committed to this cause and to keeping fund-raising local. They have gone the extra mile as a corporate partner. All General Managers spent a Saturday learning and volunteering for the cause. This effort encourage managers to ensure their staff are motivated and dedicated to making a difference in the community and to give hope to individuals and families in need.


About KFCs, KFC/Taco Bells and DQ Grill & Chills Hodges Management Company began in 1965 when Inman and Mary Sue Hodges opened their first KFC restaurant in Statesboro, GA. Over the years, other restaurants have been added to the company in Southeast GA and South Carolina to include 21 KFCs and KFC/Taco Bells, as well as 3 Dairy Queen Grill & Chills. Today, the company is still owned and operated by the Hodges along with their son, Inman Hodges, Jr.

About Chatham-Savannah Authority for the Homeless, Inc. The Authority is a nonprofit organization that coordinates direct services for homeless families and individuals through a “continuum of care” of community services ranging from street outreach and emergency shelters to employment training and permanent housing. For more information visit http://www.homelessauthority.org/

Alexandre Birman Has Heels for a Cause

Just yesterday, I was out shoe shopping trying to find mid-summer sales on great shoes. I've always spent any hard earned money on good shoes, good wine, and good hair products. All of these are a real treat and not something to be skimped on. About 'good shoes' and why I nevah-evah cut corners on cost here... because when you fee hurt, it's miserable no matter how good you look.

Not to go on about my troubles, but I have a triple "A" heel, high arch and bunions. I was once told I had a 'champagne foot. I suppose that meant investing in good shoes. So, finding a flattering and yet comfortable shoe is important. Having said this, here is my find for Summer 2010 and all for a 'Good' reason.

Alexandre Birman has a python cage heel that is attractive and comfortable. That is a double whammy in my book. Plus, 10% of each sale ($445) goes to the Art of Elysium. This is a group of artists that support and encourage others to donate their talent to help seriously ill children.

This pump is available at Bergdorf Goodman and is well worth parting with your dollars for a fabulous summer look and for kids at the same time. If that doesn't make you feel 'good' I don't know what would.

Botox Cosmetic~Expression of Kindness Campaign

Just the other day, I had a friend and colleague, Diane Conklin of Complete Marketing Systems send me an email. She ran across an article on Allergan, the maker of Botox Cosmetics, launching a cause campaign and thought of me. Thanks Di~

One of the industries I enjoy working with is the health industry and I must say that Allergan's new cause campaign, Expression of Kindness Campaign, is a light-hearted, well aligned, and an easy campaign for clients to be a part of. Plus, it is donating a sizable sum of moola for charities of choice.

The company is encouraging consumers to post Acts of Kindness stories along with their profile, on their website, all in an effort to aid three selected charities of choice. In addition, Botox Cosmetic paired participating female celebrities with each of the charities. Not too bad of a advertisement either as each of these women, Didiayer Snyder, Vanessa Williams and Vicki Iovine, Virginia Madsen and Nadia Comaneci all look really fabulous. Each of the charities are also supported by these accomplished women who themselves are inspiring the world with their kindness. The three charities are:


Children’s Action Network is raising the awareness of children’s issues and helps find homes for foster children in the United States who are waiting for an adoptive family.


Make It Right builds storm-resistant, green and affordable homes for working families who lost everything to Hurricane Katrina.

Dress for Success® has helped more than 500,000 disadvantaged women look their best for job interviews and employment through donated professional attire and accessories.

This campaign simply asks individuals to complete their profile and write about kind acts of their own. For every consumer who creates a profile, Allergan will donate $25 to one of the three charities of your choice.. The goal of campaign is to donate a total sum of $250,000. Not too shabby in change there!