How Top Brands Are Saving the World

Let's face it, between work, family, and friends, we are easily overloaded and there is rarely enough time to finish what was due the day before…let alone think about trying to make a difference and save the world. We all work hard and deserve to live as we see fit a life that is comfortable and fun. Everyone enjoys some fun, right? And sometimes indulgent rewards of working hard—be it a shoe fiend or avid traveler are just what we feel are perfect for hard work. Yet, we can get so wrapped up in getting ahead and advancing our careers and own lives that we often fail to remember how extremely lucky we all are in this world.

So just for a moment, imagine life from a different perspective, perhaps being in an impoverished country with no running water or designer shoes and handbags. Consider the differences? Maybe you would no longer care about shopping sprees, or be that carefree traveler and book a weekend getaway. In this moment, stop and think just how can you turn your good fortune into doing something good for others while feeling good about it for yourself, your family and others?

One great example is every shoe-shoppers delight. Manolos really is saving the world while you shop. And they are doing it one pair at a time. Fashion and luxury brands are uniquely positioned to rise to the occasion and are taking on the responsibility of giving back. By maximizing the benefits the world’s most valuable natural resources, their profit margins have grown exponentially since the 1980’s and allow them to position their brand products into symbols of humanity, and you can help.

Supporting brands that support philanthropy to make a difference can make a world of difference in more ways then one. From watches and pendants, to face creams and handbags, you can spend your hard-earned money on products that give back to a cause. No excuses! These companies aren’t cutting a check to just for the tax deduction. They are actually making an impact through awareness with a high level of corporate involvement. You might even be surprised that a go-to item of yours now gives a portion of its sales to charity—a great excuse to keep buying it! Doing good can be as easy as swiping your plastic or clicking your mouse with no scheduling required.

More and more top brands are making a difference through their sales and making significant contributions to worthwhile charities. Here’s just a sampling:

Montblanc – UNICEF, Jewelers for Children, Nelsom Mandela Foundation
Bulgari – Save the Children
Cartier – Youth Aids, Breast Cancer Research Foundation, USA Harvest
David Yurman – Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Lustgarten Foundation
Elie Tahari – God’s Love We Deliver
Gucci – UNICEF
Helen Ficalora – Michael J. Fox Parkinson Foundation
Jimmy Choo – Elton John AIDS Foundation
Kate Spade – Women to Women International
Linea Pelle – Doctors without Borders, UNICEF
Louis Vuitton – White Ribbon Alliance
MAC – MAC AIDS Fund
Monique Pean – Charity: water
Pierce – World Vision
Ralph Lauren – Fashion Targets Breast Cancer
Saks – Key to the Cure, Charity: water
Sergio Rossi - Goodplanet
Swarovski - Charity: water
Tag Heuer – Green Cross International, Natural Resources Defense Council
Valentino - Francesca Rava Foundation for Haiti
Van Cleef – Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Versace – Starlight Children’s Foundation, One Foundation

Go ahead, make your mark by supporting these products and strive for purpose beyond ourselves. As consumers, we need to can put our purchasing power to use through brand philanthropy and support all brands that ‘do good.’ Collectively, we can change the face of the world one luxury purchase at a time.

Please visit makeluxurycount.com, who contributed this article to our blog, to stay up to date on the latest in brand philanthropy and the newest products that are giving back! If you’re going to make a statement, make it count.

Fashion Designers Who Give Back

It is quite a time for retail and even the runway, but there's one thing that never goes out of style: giving back. This year, fashion designers have really up-ed giving and all with style.

Marie Claire magazine highlights 15 designers who don't just make our world look more beautiful, they make it better. Here they are:

Ralph Lauren: The Pink Pony Fund and The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention

Donnatella Versace: Versace One Foundation

Kenneth Cole: amfAR

Patrick Robinson: P.A.C.E. (Personal Advancement, Career Enhancement)

Michael Kors: Breast Cancer Research Foundation

Oscar de La Renta: New Yorkers for Children

Angela Missoni: Orphan Aid Africa

James Ferragamo: GlobalGiving

Frida Giannini: UNICEF

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG: Vital Choices

Christopher Bailey: The Burberry Foundation

Donna Karan: The Urban Zen Foundation

ALESSANDRO BENETTON: Africa Works

Nicola Bulgari: Save the Children

Giorgio Armani: Project (RED)

See the short video here.