Gucci and Rihanna take Unicef under their umbrella
Gucci creative director Frida Giannini and Grammy award-winning musical artist Rihanna celebrated the worldwide launch of the 2008 Gucci Campaign to Benefit UNICEF in New York recently. The evening began when Giannini and Rihanna joined Caryl Stern, president and CEO of the US Fund for UNICEF, lighted the historic UNICEF Snowflake at Grand Army Plaza. The Snowflake lighting ceremony is an annual UNICEF event to mark the beginning of the holiday season of giving, and included a live performance by R&B artist Ne-Yo.
“We are thrilled to have Frida Giannini and Rihanna take part in the lighting ceremony in New York City,” says Caryl Stern. “They share tremendous enthusiasm for helping those in need and for spreading the Snowflake’s message of hope, peace and compassion for children around the world.”
Immediately following the lighting ceremony, Giannini and Rihanna hosted a private cocktail party at the Gucci 5th Avenue Flagship store to celebrate the fourth annual Gucci campaign for UNICEF and the launch of the white Tattoo Heart Collection. Rihanna appeared in the first-ever international Gucci advertising campaign dedicated to UNICEF as the global representative of the 2008 holiday campaign. “I am blown away by what UNICEF has been able to accomplish in Africa with the funds raised by Gucci,” says Rihanna. “I feel very fortunate to be part of this collaboration.” Gucci will donate 25 percent of sales from the white Tattoo Heart Collection in Gucci stores in over 20 countries from Nov. 19, 2008 through Jan. 31, 2009.
The white Tattoo Heart Collection includes a wide range of accessories, distinguished by a stylized heart tattoo and iconic Gucci symbols. The concept of the heart and tattoo hold symbolic relevance, serving as an indelible reminder of each customer’s charitable gesture. “I love the idea of a heart being tattooed onto the handbags,” says Frida Giannini. “It’s a permanent mark that you can wear with pride and that stays with you. This represents our ongoing commitment to the incredible work that UNICEF is able to achieve. It’s really our chance to give back.”
Guests of the event were first to purchase items from the white Tattoo Heart Collection, and enjoyed cocktails by Sergio Mionetto and Grey Goose Vodka. Guests also saw the exclusive preview of a special e-film, highlighting Gucci’s collaboration with Rihanna. The complete e-film will be available for viewing on Dec. 9 at www.gucci.com and www.rihannanow.com.
The annual Gucci campaign for UNICEF consistently supports education, healthcare, protection and clean water programs for orphans and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Sub-Saharan Africa. This year’s campaign is dedicated to UNICEF’s Schools for Africa programs in Malawi and Mozambique, where over one million children have been orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Education is vital to saving and improving the lives of orphans and children living in extreme poverty, and in areas ravaged by disease. In the fourth year of the most extensive philanthropic partnership in the company’s history, Gucci is proud to continue and expand its commitment this vital humanitarian organization. The company’s total commitment to UNICEF reaches over US$5 million to date.
“We are deeply grateful for Gucci’s ongoing support of UNICEF, as well as their leadership and extraordinary dedication to helping children affected by HIV/AIDS,” said Stern. “We are very fortunate to partner with a company whose high global profile and deep commitment has allowed us to continue to save and improve the lives of thousands of vulnerable children in some of the poorest countries in the world.”
In the Philippines, Gucci shoes, bags and accessories are exclusively distributed by Stores Specialists, Inc. (SSI) and are available at the boutique located in Greenbelt 4, Ayala Center, Makati.
